Tough, flexible and high conductivity. With between semiconductor and metal properties, graphene is the strongest material ever discovered and where electrons move more easily, at least a hundred times faster than silicon. However, this form of pure carbon in a single atomic layer thick, that will revolutionize the electronics, computer and communication was difficult to produce on a large scale without losing quality.
Not anymore. A group of researchers from Samsung and Sungkyunkwan University in South Korea, have succeeded in making graphene flexible sheets 30 inches (about 76 inches diagonal).
Not anymore. A group of researchers from Samsung and Sungkyunkwan University in South Korea, have succeeded in making graphene flexible sheets 30 inches (about 76 inches diagonal).
"The goal is to use a technique very similar to that used for printing newspapers, where millions of pages are printed in a very short time. In this case, instead of paper rolls used in a flexible plastic material, instead of ink, depositing a layer of graphene low cost, to be used in the very near future as one of the main components of mobile phones, televisions solar panels ....", Tomás Palacios explains.
The research team from Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), who leads the English telecommunications engineer, is a pioneer in developing electronic circuits and devices from graphene. His graphene transistor prototype low cost was presented at the annual meeting of the American Physical Society in March 2009 and since then, " developments have important and promising. For example, IBM has successfully made graphene transistors operating at 100 gigahertz (100 GHz) ".
If it's connected to the graphene frequency multiplier, also developed by Palacios in 2009," the frequency of the output would be doubled " .
The progression of this material with unique properties, which also is changing the way in which physics studies is "unbelievable. Is going to be a very interesting material for basic science to have clear industrial applications. Solar panels and mobile phones and will be made next year graphene " considered Palacios.
In September, MIT Research Center opens on graphene, which leads the English engineer. A center where researchers and companies (including some of the major semiconductor manufacturers) not only share their knowledge, the will to practice.
same time, his team at MIT is investigating. On the one hand, this material has made the world's smallest radio "that lets you listen to any station and be connected to a speaker." On the other, opened a research line that mixes based on graphene electronics with biology. This is a sensor on which are deposited living cells. As they communicate through electrical impulses and chemicals, "used graphene to measure these impulses and study how these cells relate to each other." Cell Analysis
The objective is to develop new tools to study non-intrusive mobile. Until now, doctors and biologists could only observe the cells under a microscope or pricked to measure voltage. "With this new instrument will be able to obtain the same information, but without damaging the cell. As this material has only one atom thick, any change that occurs in the cell (chemistry, voltage ...) deposited on the sensor changes the conductivity of graphene, "says Palacios.
He added:" Knowing how they communicate, is the first step to understanding the functioning of organs like the brain and how cells respond to drugs and diseases. "
Silicon Add
Despite the unique features of graphene (strength, flexibility and high conductivity) the semiconductor material properties between metal and silicon is not replaced, the second most abundant element in the crust, which is obtained from the sand and the chips are manufactured from middle of last century. "Both are complementary," says Tomás Palacios.
and may be combined. For example, "a silicon chip could add a sensor for measuring graphene air quality or capture nighttime images." Graphene could also replace copper and other materials-that connect the silicon transistors in a microprocessor. "Graphene has less electrical resistance than copper and, therefore, the microchips will heat up less." This is one of the main obstacles that prevent making chips smaller and smaller at higher frequency.
Mario Pedraza
Solid State Electronics Section 2
Solid State Electronics Section 2
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