Nonvolatile nanotube diodes and nonvolatile nanotube blocks and systems using same and methods of making same

A nonvolatile nanotube diode comprising:

• a substrate;
• a conductive terminal disposed over the substrate;
• a semiconductor element disposed over the conductive terminal, wherein the semiconductor element comprises an anode disposed over a cathode and the semiconductor element is capable of forming an electrically conductive pathway between the cathode and the anode;
• and
• a nanotube switching element disposed over the semiconductor element, wherein the nanotube switching element comprises a conductive contact disposed over a nanotube fabric element and the nanotube fabric element exhibits a plurality of resistance states in response to electrical stimuli,
• wherein the nanotube fabric element is in electrical communication with anode and the conductive contact and the cathode is in electrical communication with the conductive terminal;
• and
• wherein in response to electrical stimuli applied to the conductive contact and the conductive terminal, the nonvolatile nanotube diode is capable of forming an electrically conductive pathway between the conductive terminal and the conductive contact.