1. A covered nanotube switch, comprising: (a) a nanotube element comprising an unaligned plurality of nanotubes, the nanotube element having a top surface, a bottom surface, and a plurality of side surfaces; (b) first and second conductive terminals in contact with the nanotube element, wherein the first conductive terminal is disposed on and substantially covering the entire top surface of the nanotube element, and wherein the second conductive terminal contacts at least a portion of the bottom surface of the nanotube element; and (c) control circuitry in electrical communication with and capable of applying electrical stimulus to the first and second conductive terminals, wherein the nanotube element is capable of switching between a plurality of electronic states in response to a corresponding plurality of electrical stimuli applied by the control circuitry to the first and second conductive terminals, and wherein, for each different electronic state of the plurality of electronic states, the nanotube element provides an electrical pathway of corresponding different resistance between the first and second conductive terminals.