Thinness Like an Atom: a Revolutionary Semiconductor for Electronics
February 24, 2017 | University of BayreuthEstimated reading time: 1 minute
Semiconductors, as thin as an atom, are no more future music. The Bayreuth physicist Prof. Dr. Axel Enders has developed a two-dimensional material together with US-American and Polish partners, which could revolutionize electronics. Due to its semiconductor properties, it could be far better suited for high-tech applications than graphs, the discovery of which was celebrated worldwide in 2004 as a scientific breakthrough. The new material contains carbon, boron and nitrogen, the chemical name is "Hexagonal Boron Carbon Nitrogen (h-BCN)". The new development is presented in the magazine "ACS Nano".
3D structure model of the new material h-BCN. Photo: Axel Enders; For publication.
"Our development can be the starting point for a new generation of electronic transistors, circuits and sensors that are many times smaller and more flexible than previous electronic elements. They are expected to significantly reduce power consumption, "predicts Prof. Enders, pointing to CMOS technology, which is currently dominated by electronics. This technology has clear limits with regard to further miniaturization. "In order to exceed this barrier, h-BCN is far better than graphs, although it is structured as graphs," says the Bayreuth physicist.
Graphene is a lattice of carbon atoms which are cross-linked with one another only in the surface, ie only in two dimensions. The grid is therefore as thin as a single atom. When this structure was investigated more closely after its discovery, its enormous stability caused worldwide enthusiasm. Graph is 100 to 300 times stronger than steel and at the same time an excellent conductor for heat and electricity. However, electrons flow unhindered at any electrical voltage, so there are no defined 'on' and 'off' states.
"This is why graphs are not suitable for electronic components. For this purpose, semiconductors are required because only they provide switchable 'on' and 'off' states, "explains Prof. Enders. He therefore had the idea of exchanging individual carbon atoms in the graph by boron and nitrogen, in such a way that a two-dimensional lattice with the properties of a semiconductor is formed.
In a team of scientists at the University of Lincoln-Nebraska, he has now been able to achieve this goal. Research partners at the University of Cracow as well as at the State University of New York, Boston College and Tufts University in Massachusetts have also contributed to this research success.
Suggested Items
RTX Signs Largest Renewable Electricity Deal with ENGIE
04/19/2024 | RTXRTX announced an agreement with a subsidiary of ENGIE North America (ENGIE) that will provide 100% renewable electricity to 12 of the company’s Texas facilities.
RTX Provides Blue Canyon Satellite to Help Solve a Crucial Climate Challenge
04/16/2024 | RTXBlue Canyon Technologies, RTX's small satellite manufacturer and mission services provider, announced the successful launch and initial contact with the MethaneSAT satellite.
Report Reveals ‘True Impact’ of Manufacturing is Nearly a Quarter of UK GDP
04/15/2024 | Manufacturing Technologies AssociationManufacturing is having a far greater impact on the UK economy than first thought according to a major new report released today.
IDC Estimates that GenAI Will Increase Marketing Productivity More Than 40% by 2029
04/03/2024 | IDCNew research from International Data Corporation (IDC) shows that applying generative artificial intelligence (GenAI) to a range of enterprise marketing tasks will result in an estimated productivity increase of more than 40% by 2029.
North American PCB Industry Sales Down 11.6% in February
03/25/2024 | IPCIPC announced today the February 2024 findings from its North American Printed Circuit Board (PCB) Statistical Program. The book-to-bill ratio stands at 1.07.