Advancing circuit design/Electronic circuitry

Subject classification: this is an engineering resource.
Subject classification: this is a technology resource.

Definitions edit

 
Graphene nano-structures

Graphene was seen as the successor material to the silicon based chip. The design is on the molecular scale, so it has less resistance and more efficient in conducting electrical signals. The output of a graphene transistor is precise, and it doesn't make electronic noise.[1] Tests of graphene transistors have shown up to 300 GHz.[2] Graphene so far hasn't shown the ability to act as a semiconductor.[3]

 
Molybdenite nano-structure

Molybdenite, a form of molybdenum disulfide (MoS2), shows more potential than graphene. It uses 100,000 times less energy than conventional silicon transistors, and it has better electronical properties than graphene.[4] Like graphene, molybdenite transistors can be designed on the molecular scale. Molybdenite transistors are cost effective to produce, while graphene is found to be problematic.[5] Molybdenum disulfide can be used as a semiconductor,[3] and it can hold charge-less current.[6]

A similar material, molybdenum diselenide (MoSe2) hasn't been investigated into its uses in electronics, but there is speculation of its usefulness.[7]

 
Silicene's uneven nano-structure

Silicene and germanane, alternate forms of silicone and germanium that are already used in electronics, also have conductive properties that may dramatically improve electronic design.[3] These two materials may be easier to implement into existing technology, because of familiarity with the parent material in electronics.

Combining molybdenite and graphene in a transistor is found to be even more advantageous: it allows the transistor to retain its state even when electricity is not passing through it.[8] Molybendite combined with gold nano-particles has advantages properties, and even allow it to act as a gate capacitor.[9]

Borophene is a hypothesized material made out of boron.[10] It's structure has been computer modeled, and there is question to whether its properties would be better than graphene's.[10]

Fullerone, a pure carbon molecule, may have superconducting properties.[11] Calcium intercalated graphite (CaC6) is graphene coated with a calcium atom also with near superconductive properties.[12]

Optical edit

A molybdenite prototype of an image sensor is able to capture more pixels per area, because of its sensitivity and its molecular sizing: this results in better resolution in image capture than was capable before.[13] Graphene can absorb the whole spectrum of infrared light, but it can only absorb less than 3% of it, making it a problem.[14]

References edit

  1. Graphene could lead to faster chips, Phys.org, 2009
  2. Engineers achieve world record with high-speed graphene transistors, Phys.org, 2010
  3. 3.0 3.1 3.2 Graphene isn’t the only 2D material. Here are a few others that could change material science, Gigaom, July 2013
  4. New transistors: An alternative to silicon and better than graphene, Ecole Polytechnique Federale de Lausanne, 2011
  5. Researchers find molybdenite may be better suited for integrated logic circuits than graphene, Phys.org, 2012
  6. Anne Ju (June 30, 2014), Move over, silicon? New transistor material tested, Cornell University
  7. Chui (January 2014), "Scientists cook up new electronic material", Nature Nanotechnology, doi:10.1038/nnano.2013.277
  8. Fantastic flash memory combines graphene and molybdenite, Ecole Polytechnique Federale de Lausanne, 2013
  9. Gold Nanoparticles Make Molybdenum Disulfide Extra Special, IEEE Spectrum, September 2013
  10. 10.0 10.1 Wang (January 2014), "Graphene-like material made of boron a possibility, experiments suggest", Nature Communications, Brown University
  11. National Institute for Materials Science (January 22, 2012), Superconductivity success in fullerene nanowhiskers, Science Daily
  12. "Team finds potential way to make graphene superconducting", Yang et al, Physorg, March 20, 2014
  13. An ultrasensitive molybdenum-based image sensor, Ecole Polytechnique Federale de Lausanne, 2013
  14. Thermal vision: Graphene light detector first to span infrared spectrum, University of Michigan, March 16, 2014

External links edit