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c|Net News.com is reporting that IBM researchers have created the <a href=http://news.com.com/IBM+researchers+claim+nanotube+first/2100-1008_3-6053400.html?tag=cd.top>first Carbon Nanotube Integrated Circuit</a>.

Researchers created a ring oscillator out of a nanotube. An oscillator switches between two voltage levels, which represent "true" and "false"; they are often used as test vehicles by chip designers. While the oscillator is slower than the equivalent of those made of silicon, the device and subsequent other nanotube circuits will allow IBM and others to more acutely study how nanotubes operate in certain circumstances.

Since silicon has to be at least 4-5 atoms thick to function as an insulator it has been widely predicted to reach its functional limits around 2010. With the advent of carbon nanotube integrated circuits, we are seeing a step in the right direction toward the future of electronics. As stated in the article, this new integrated circuit is not yet as fast as silicon, but researchers are optimistic about its potential and believe it can outperform "state-of-the-art silicon devices."

update: About 80 min ago Slashdot also posted this story with a more informative link...<a href=http://science.slashdot.org/science/06/03/24/015207.shtml>Check it out</a>.

When the IBM researchers tested the circuit, they discovered that it yielded a speed of 52 MHz, much slower than today's silicon, but a baseline to discover if future improvements can push the performance into the gigahertz range and beyond.

Also worth noting is that researchers believe that silicon CMOS transistors may interact with carbon nanotubes. Even if you don't know anything about nanotech, I highly recommend you read this article. Nanotechnology has the potential to spur the next age of technology. Just...wow.