Non-volatile field effect devices and circuits using same. A non-volatile
field effect device includes a source, drain and gate with a
field-modulatable channel between the source and drain. Each of the
source, drain, and gate have a corresponding terminal. An
electromechanically-deflectable, nanotube switching element is
electrically positioned between one of the source, drain and gate and its
corresponding terminal. The others of the source, drain and gate are
directly connected to their corresponding terminals. The nanotube
switching element is electromechanically-deflectable in response to
electrical stimulation at two control terminals to create one of a
non-volatile open and non-volatile closed electrical communication state
between the one of the source, drain and gate and its corresponding
terminal. Under one embodiment, one of the two control terminals has a
dielectric surface for contact with the nanotube switching element when
creating a non-volatile open state. Under one embodiment, the source,
drain and gate may be stimulated at any voltage level from ground to
supply voltage, and wherein the two control terminals are stimulated at
any voltage level from ground to a switching threshold voltage larger in
magnitude than the supply voltage. Under one embodiment, the nanotube
switching element includes an article made from nanofabric that is
positioned between the two control terminals. Under one embodiment, one
of the two control terminals is a release electrode for electrostatically
pulling the nanotube article out of contact with the one of the source,
drain and gate so as to form a non-volatile open state. Under one
embodiment, the other of the two control terminals is a set electrode for
electrostatically pulling the nanotube article into contact with the one
of the source, drain and gate so as to form a non-volatile closed state.