Articles tagged with Semiconductors
Researchers have demonstrated a solar cell that responds to virtually the entire solar spectrum and can be manufactured using one of the semiconductor industry's most common methods. The new design promises highly efficient solar cells with practical production costs.
Researchers at JILA have created a terahertz radiation source that is unusually efficient and less prone to damage than similar systems. The technology uses ultrafast lasers and semiconductors to produce high-intensity output, making it suitable for applications such as detecting trace gases or imaging weapons.
Researchers at UCLA are developing spin-transfer torque magnetoresistive random access memory (STT-RAM) with great potential over current memory technologies. The technology has achieved densities comparable to dynamic random access memory and speeds comparable to static random access memory.
Researchers have developed dual-diameter nanopillars that absorb light as well or even better than commercial thin-film solar cells, using less semiconductor material. The new structure, designed by Ali Javey and his team, enables fine control over geometry and shape of the single-crystalline nanopillar arrays.
UCLA Engineering has received a $6 million award from NIST to construct the Western Institute of Nanotechnology on Green Engineering and Metrology (WIN-GEM), a cutting-edge facility supporting energy conservation technologies in microelectronics and nanotechnology.
A new study by Lifeloc Technologies reveals popular consumer breathalyzers to be inaccurate and inconsistent in measuring breath alcohol content. The company's independent report confirms these devices' notorious inaccuracy, warning consumers against relying on them for accurate BAC measurement.
Scientists used a unique frequency comb system to detect minute traces of contaminant molecules in arsine gas, which can cause semiconductor defects. The technique offers a combination of speed, sensitivity, specificity, and broad frequency coverage.
Researchers at Rice University discovered that strong magnetic fields can transform highly conductive carbon nanotubes into semiconductors. By applying a magnetic field, a band gap opens up and the material becomes an insulator.
Researchers demonstrate first full quantum control of qubit spin in tiny colloidal nanostructures, advancing quantum computing and energy generation technologies. The discovery enables precise control over light-matter interactions, paving the way for more efficient photovoltaic cells and potential breakthroughs in climate change.
Researchers have made a breakthrough in the development of solar cells, capable of harnessing more energy from sunlight. By using quantum dots and titanium dioxide, they can capture and transfer excess electrons, leading to potentially higher efficiencies. However, further research is needed to eliminate energy loss in the next step.
Researchers at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory are developing gamma-ray detectors to improve cancer therapy using heavy-ion beams. The Compact Compton Imager 2 (CCI-2) is a compact imager that can provide real-time images of the ion beam's energy distribution in tumors.
Researchers at Arizona State University have developed a new quaternary alloy semiconductor nanowire material that can be used to create more efficient photovoltaic cells and light-emitting diodes. The alloy, which has a wide range of band gaps, can also be used to produce colors for displays.
Researchers at Princeton University have made a breakthrough in quantum physics, discovering an equation that allows computers to model the properties of materials up to 100,000 times faster than previously possible. This new formula enables scientists to study the flaws in materials more effectively, leading to potential advancements ...
Researchers from Empa have successfully synthesized a graphene-like polymer with well-defined pores using a 'bottom-up' synthesis method. The new material boasts finer pores than traditional lithographic processes, opening up new possibilities for applications in electronics and other fields.
Researchers at Vanderbilt University have successfully demonstrated the fractional quantum Hall effect in clean graphene, a two-dimensional crystalline material. This breakthrough exploits graphene's unique electrical properties to create novel devices and test theoretical models of extreme environments.
Researchers at Rutgers University have discovered novel electronic properties in 2D carbon structure graphene, exhibiting strongly correlated behavior among charge-carrying particles. The findings are similar to superconductivity observed in some metals and complex materials, enabling the flow of electric current with no resistance.
Professor Christian Wetzel is working to develop efficient green LEDs to bridge the gap in color technology. His goal is to produce true white LEDs and enable widespread adoption of energy-efficient lighting solutions.
Researchers at Arizona State University and Technical University of Eindhoven have made a breakthrough in creating nanoscale lasers, which can improve computer performance and speed up Internet access. The new design uses a combination of semiconductors and metals to confine light and achieve a laser with the smallest thickness ever pr...
Researchers have developed a new design for solar cells using arrays of nanoscale pillars, each a single crystal, to efficiently convert light into charge-carrying electrons. The efficiency of the test device was measured at six percent, which is higher than most photovoltaic devices based on nanostructured materials.
Researchers developed an electronic glue to overcome a hurdle in semiconductor nanocrystal manufacturing. The innovation increases electronic coupling between nanocrystals, paving the way for mass-produced, low-cost device applications.
A team of researchers from Berkeley Lab has made a breakthrough in controlling the electric and magnetic properties of a multiferroic material by applying electric fields. The study uses calcium-doped bismuth ferrite film, creating p–n junctions that can be created, erased, and inverted with ease.
Scientists have developed non-blinking semiconductor nanocrystals, overcoming a long-standing challenge in their applications. The discovery enables the use of nanocrystals in devices like low-threshold lasers and solar cells, as well as biological imaging and tracking.
Boston College researchers have developed a titanium nanostructure that improves the efficiency of energy transport, achieving a peak conversion efficiency of 16.7 percent under ultraviolet light. The novel material enhances the 'water-splitting' technique by collecting and transporting electrons with minimal energy loss.
Researchers at University of California, Berkeley and University of Massachusetts Amherst developed a new technique to self-assemble nanoscale elements, enabling densities 15 times higher than previous methods. This approach could lead to improved data storage capacity and energy-efficient applications.
Scientists at NRL's Materials Science and Technology Division successfully controlled the spin population of individual quantum shell states in self-assembled InAs quantum dots. This breakthrough enables new spintronics applications, as the electron's spin is used to store and process information.
A team of researchers at CIC nanoGUNE and Max Planck Institutes developed a non-invasive method to map strain fields in semiconductors using scattering-type Scanning Near-field Optical Microscopy (s-SNOM). The technique resolves nanoscale material properties with 20 nm spatial resolution.
Researchers have discovered a new method to control graphene's properties by growing it on different surfaces. The results show that the chemistry of the surface plays a key role in shaping the material's conductive properties, allowing for the creation of either metallic or semiconductor graphene.
Kansas State University engineers are creating an energy-harvesting radio that can transmit data wirelessly, eliminating the need for battery changes. The technology has potential applications in monitoring stress, temperature, and pressure on bridges and other structures.
Researchers have developed a transparent resistive random access memory (TRRAM) chip, enabling see-through electronic systems. The technology may drive new directions in electronics, allowing for more compact devices and cheaper manufacturing.
T.P. Ma recognized for groundbreaking research in semiconductors, impacting high-tech industry and leading to practical applications such as flash memory. His work has been widely adopted by companies worldwide, including IBM and Intel.
Researchers at University of Oregon have synthesized a new metal-hydroxide compound with high yields, potentially leading to greener semiconductor processes. The discovery uses a novel additive to optimize crystallization, allowing for rapid production of nanoclusters suitable for large-area applications.
Researchers have developed a sensor array that can conform to irregular surfaces, enabling the creation of an eye-shaped camera with improved image quality. The technology has promise for applications such as advanced health monitors and prosthetic devices.
The novel microscope combines high penetration power with spatial resolution, allowing for the detailed composition of semiconductor devices and cellular structures to be analyzed. This breakthrough technique has far-reaching implications for improving semiconductor production and life science microscopy.
Researchers at Harvard University have developed a novel device that emits coherent Terahertz (THz) radiation at room temperature, overcoming a major hurdle in laser technology. The breakthrough has significant potential for applications ranging from security screening to chemical sensing.
Princeton engineers have created a process that can literally melt away tiny defects on microchips, enabling precise shaping of components without increasing fabrication cost. The method, called Self-Perfection by Liquefaction (SPEL), uses a light pulse from an excimer laser to guide the resulting flow of liquid into desired shapes.
Researchers at NIST have combined a transition-edge sensor with a microrefrigerator on a single microchip, achieving the first cooling of a fully functional detector. The combo chip offers the possibility of faster and cheaper precision analysis of materials like semiconductors and stardust.
A team from Penn State University and the University of Southampton created a single-crystal semiconductor inside an optical fiber, overcoming performance degradation between fibers and devices. The new device enables faster and more efficient electronic signals, opening up potential for next-level applications in various fields.
Researchers at NIST have shown that silicon crystals can develop cracks and breakdown under mechanical stress, contrary to conventional wisdom. The team's findings have significant implications for the design of micro-electromechanical system (MEMS) devices, which are critical components in various industries.
Researchers used atom probe tomography to observe distributions of individual dopant atoms in semiconductor devices, finding clusters around defects that persist even after thermal treatment. This limits the scalability of semiconductor devices.
Researchers at the University of Illinois have created a semiconductor membrane that can mimic the operation of biological ion channels, with applications in single-molecule detection, protein filtering, and DNA sequencing. The membrane uses electrostatic potentials to regulate charged species and ions, offering a degree of tunability ...
Researchers at JILA discovered a previously unseen type of collective electronic behavior in semiconductors, shedding light on interactions between microscopic particles. The study used ultrafast lasers to analyze the phase shift of light, confirming the importance of collective exciton behavior and its superiority over simpler models.
Researchers from the US, Norway, and Russia have identified the origin of 1/f noise in semiconductor electronics, which could lead to more sensitive sensors and detectors. The study found that the noise arises from the random distribution of impurities and electron interactions in a state called Coulomb glass.
Researchers at NIST have devised a system for manipulating and positioning individual nanowires using optical microscopy and conventional photolithographic processing. They can fabricate sophisticated test structures to explore the properties of nanowires with high control, enabling the creation of elaborate structures for testing.
Chemists at UCSD develop a device that captures sunlight, converts it to electrical energy, and splits carbon dioxide into carbon monoxide and oxygen. This process has the potential to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, produce industrial chemicals, and save fuel.
NASA Goddard's carbon nanotubes are stronger than steel and can conduct electricity like copper, with applications in materials science, electronics, and medicine. The technology has been licensed to Idaho Space Materials, making it more accessible for research and development.
A UW-Madison team has developed a new process to create thin-film semiconductors on flexible materials, enabling the creation of powerful, low-power electronic devices. The technique can be used to make wearable electronics, computer monitors that roll up like a window shade, and other applications for non-computer uses.
A new paint-on semiconductor device has been developed by researchers at the University of Toronto, surpassing traditional methods in terms of cost and performance. The device, created using a liquid painting process, boasts exceptional sensitivity to infrared rays and is approximately ten times more sensitive than current sensors.
Researchers develop novel nanoscale architectures using spin-wave buses for efficient interconnectivity and low power consumption. The breakthrough enables the design of fully interconnected networks of processors on a single chip, overcoming current limitations in spintronic architectures.
The University of Iowa is part of a five-year Department of Defense grant to develop a multifunctional chip using spin technology. This chip could revolutionize computing and storage capabilities in small portable devices like cell phones, reducing power consumption and increasing efficiency.
Researchers at Georgia Tech have developed ultra-efficient embedded architectures using probabilistic technology, achieving significant gains in energy efficiency. The new approach outperforms traditional CMOS-based architectures, with some applications showing reductions of over 560.
Scientists have successfully created a novel class of metal nitrides made from noble metals, exhibiting unusual or unique properties. These new compounds may prove to be even more durable than current titanium nitrides used in the semiconductor industry.
Researchers at JILA use a novel laser technique to study semiconductor materials, revealing correlated oscillations that can aid in predicting emission frequencies. The approach, developed for probing molecular structure, offers new insights into electronic properties of semiconductors.
A new computer chip lithography method, evanescent wave lithography (EWL), has been developed at Rochester Institute of Technology, allowing for optically imaging the smallest-ever semiconductor device geometry. The breakthrough has enabled resolution smaller than one-twentieth the wavelength of visible light, surpassing previous limits.
Researchers have discovered a way to create complex 3D nanostructures using standard semiconductor tools, opening up new possibilities for device manufacturing and applications. The new structures are stable, well-defined, and nearly defect-free over large areas.
Researchers found the surface structure to be arranged differently than previously thought, with groups of four atoms in one direction but three in the other. This discovery could help scientists understand how to use cubic gallium nitride as a new semiconductor material.
T.P. Ma, Yale University professor, receives IEEE Andrew S. Grove Award for his pioneering work on CMOS gate dielectrics, a crucial technology in modern silicon chips. He has made significant contributions to increasing integrated circuit operating speed and reliability while lowering cost per function.
Researchers at the University of Florida have created a new type of high-frequency circuit using widespread complementary metal oxide semiconductor technology. The 105 GHz circuit has potential applications in bioterrorism detection, as its frequency closely matches that of tiny pathogens and chemical bonds.
Researchers from Pitt and Bell Labs have successfully created a two-dimensional semiconductor structure that allows excitons to exist longer and travel farther than previously recorded. This breakthrough could lead to the development of excitonic circuits for optical communication, enabling photons to be converted directly into excitons.
Researchers at Los Alamos National Laboratory have successfully manipulated electron spins using a scanning optical microscope, achieving a higher degree of spatial coherence compared to traditional methods. This breakthrough could lead to the development of faster and more efficient electronic devices with low power consumption.
Researchers have found that a quantum dot's dielectric function is virtually identical to its bulk material counterpart, except near the surface. This discovery could revolutionize electronic devices by allowing for more precise control over their properties.