No Assembly Required: DNA brings carbon nanotube circuits in line

By harnessing the binding patterns of DNA and proteins, researchers have devised an efficient way of making carbon-nanotube transistors. The new technique offers the possibility of assembling nanotubes into complex circuits that could eventually yield computer chips that are faster and more powerful than those available today.

TINY TRANSISTOR. A carbon nanotube (arrow) is connected to gold electrical contacts on either end.