Avi Blizovsky, Benny Ran
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Scientists have discovered a new type of material, which may allow the production of chips from a single molecule in the future.
The molecule of the new material, called graphene, is two-dimensional and has huge dimensions - but still only a single atom thick. The excellent electrical properties of the nano fabric may allow the production of a very stable and fast transistor. The researchers, from the University of Manchester and the University of Chernogolovka in Russia, published their findings in Science. "In my opinion, this is the most exciting discovery in the field of solid state physics in the last decade" - said Professor Lawrence Ives, a semiconductor expert from the University of Nottingham.
Graphene belongs to the well-known family of fullerene molecules, discovered in the last twenty years. The electrical, mechanical and chemical properties of these materials at the molecular level may allow the production of extremely fast transistors for the electronics industry, as well as the development of extremely strong, flexible and stable materials. The researchers tried to apply these characteristics for computing purposes, since the miniaturization of the transistors shortens the distance that the electrons have to travel - which makes it possible to increase the processing rate.
Conventional transistors are based on the semiconducting properties of silicon, but "recently, progress has been made in the development of transistors based on nanotubes - a kind of sheets of graphite molecules arranged in a cylinder, similar to a chocolate cylinder that is embedded in ice cream," explains Professor Ives. "However, since these materials are one-dimensional, they suffer from certain disadvantages. Graphene comes in a flat sheet that makes it possible to create a simple transistor."
Professor Andre Gem, who led the research team, says the new material can be described as millions of nanotubes unfolded and bundled together into an infinite sheet a single atom thick. The team proved that the electrons can travel a distance as short as a micron without scattering - which ensures fast switching in transistors. At the moment "the research is in the early stages" says Professor Jem. "It is still too early to say what the applications will be, but this is an amazing material, with properties that do not exist in any known material."
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