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Glite Dictionary
nanowire

nanowire

1 8.0
A very thin wire used in tiny electronic devices with width measured in nanometers
  • noun
  • /ˈnænoʊˌwaɪər/
  • Specialized
translation icon : nanocable
  • The process of creating a filter begins with producing nanowires through the predetermined process.
  • nanowires and nanoparticles
  • silver nanowires
  • grows nanowires

Examples

  • The nanowires can be erased with a reverse voltage or with light, returning the interface to its original structure.

    Academic text (2009)

  • Researchers have developed a new method for creating nanowire circuits that are more efficient than traditional ones.

  • The nanowires are so small, hundreds of thousands grow on a 0.5-centimeter surface.

    Academic text (2011)

  • Pyrolyzing, or burning off the coating, leaves only the metal nanowires behind.

    Academic text (2011)

  • The nanowires are approximately 1,000 nanometers (1 micrometer) long and from 20 nanometers to 200 nanometers in diameter.

    Academic text (2011)

  • The tiny nanowire sensors can detect changes in temperature and pressure with incredible accuracy.

  • Engineers are using nanowire technology to create faster and smaller electronic devices.

Surface Forms

nanowire singular
nanowires plural

Morphology

nanowire = wire (semi-transparent) = nano + wire

The word clearly combines 'nano-' with 'wire', but the technical meaning of a wire on the nanometer scale is specialized and may not be fully inferable for all learners.

Etymology

Nanowire breaks into nano meaning 'very small' and wire, a 'thin metal thread', so it literally means a 'very small wire' used in tiny electronics and other small devices.