Nonvolatile nanotube switch elements using sidewall contacts

A non-volatile nanotube switch, comprising:

• a first conductive terminal, said first conductive terminal having a top surface and a sidewall surface;
• a first protective insulator positioned over said first conductive terminal;
• a nanotube element positioned over said insulator, said nanotube element a top surface, a bottom surface, a first sidewall surface, and a second sidewall surface;
• a second protective insulator positioned over said nanotube element;
• a second conductive terminal positioned over said second protective insulator, said second conductive terminal having a bottom surface and a sidewall surface;
• a first vertical conductive structure providing electrical communication between said sidewall surface of said first conductive terminal and said first sidewall surface of said nanotube element;
• a second vertical conductive structure providing electrical communication between said sidewall surface of said second conductive terminal and said second sidewall surface of said nanotube element;
• and
• control circuitry in electrical communication with and capable of applying electrical stimulus to the first and second conductive terminals;
• wherein said first vertical conductive structure and said second vertical conductive structure are electrically isolated from each other;
• wherein said first protective insulator layer prevents said top surface of said first conductive layer from being in direct physical contact with said bottom surface of said nanotube element;
• wherein said second protective insulator layer prevents said bottom surface of said second conductive terminal from being in physical contact with said top surface of said nanotube element;
• and
• wherein said nanotube element is capable of switching between a plurality of different resistance states corresponding to a plurality of different electronic states.