Articles tagged with Silicon
Researchers from the University of Surrey have found that silicon solar cells can reduce satellite power costs by up to 90% by improving efficiency and reducing material costs. The study also showed that silicon cells can be used to halve the weight of solar cells needed on spacecraft, freeing mass for fuel or instruments.
The new method uses a chemical additive to create a sacrificial molecular cushion on the crystal surface, allowing for smoother cutting and reducing defects. This technique slashes subsurface crystal defects to a depth of only 70 nanometers, promising to revolutionize semiconductor manufacturing.
Scientists at the University of Electro-Communications create a method to map dielectric response at the atomic level, revealing diamond's anomalous enhancement. This discovery could lead to the development of efficient electron sources and smaller electronic components.
Researchers found five stages of silicic acid formation in fossilised wood, spanning 200 million years and documenting temperature, pressure, and composition conditions. The study uses quartz cathodoluminescence, fluid inclusions, and other techniques to reconstruct the geological history of the Saale Basin in central Germany.
A new study highlights micro-transfer printing as a promising approach for realizing heterogeneous integration in silicon photonics. The technique combines benefits of die-level assembly with wafer-scale processing, enabling seamless co-integration of diverse material systems onto large-area platforms.
Researchers developed defect-rich silicon-carbon composite anodes with initial discharge capacities exceeding 6,500 mAh g⁻¹, outperforming conventional silicon-anode expectations. AI-assisted design optimized the formulation, revealing a trade-off between capacity and efficiency.
Researchers found that plant species with tougher leaves actually suffered more from insect damage, while those with higher silicon concentrations sustained less. In contrast, plants with higher heat tolerance experienced greater herbivory. Understanding these drivers is crucial for predicting forest health under future climate scenarios.
A new manufacturing approach enables the creation of working transistors on both sides of flexible microchips, doubling computing density. The technique uses a liquid bath to detach and float ultra-thin silicon membranes, allowing for precise fabrication without harsh adhesives.
Researchers at Nagoya University present six advances in gallium oxide thin-film growth, including a world-first result growing the material on low-cost silicon substrates. The new High-Density Oxygen Radical Source doubles atomic oxygen density, promoting chemical reaction and film growth.
Researchers at Tohoku University successfully synthesized π-electron compounds with a pentagonal silicon framework, 'pentasilacyclopentadienide', and elucidated their molecular structures. The new compound has delocalized π-electrons and aromaticity similar to carbon-based cyclopentadienide.
Researchers at Saarland University synthesize pentasilacyclopentadienide, a five-atom molecule exhibiting complex properties. This breakthrough paves the way for entirely new materials and processes with potential industrial relevance.
A team from Harvard and University of Lisbon found that silica, a low-refractive index material, can be used for making metasurfaces despite long-held assumptions. They discovered that by carefully considering the geometry of each nanopillar, silica behaves as a metasurface, enabling efficient design of devices with relaxed feature sizes.
A team of scientists at IISc has created tiny molecular devices that can be tweaked to perform diverse functions, including behavior as a memory unit, logic gate, selector, analog processor or electronic synapse. The devices' unique chemistry enables adaptability and the ability to store information, compute and adapt in real time.
The new vapour-deposition method delivers unprecedented durability in perovskite–silicon tandem solar cells, achieving over 30% power-conversion efficiency and operating stability exceeding 2,000 hours. This breakthrough paves the way for real-world deployment of tandem solar modules.
Researchers at the University of Warwick and National Research Council of Canada have created a new quantum material with unprecedented electrical conductivity, enabling faster and more efficient electronics. The breakthrough could lead to applications in quantum information processing, AI, and data-center hardware.
Researchers at NUS developed a new heat-resistant material to strengthen the weakest link in perovskite-silicon tandem solar cells. The cross-linked molecular layer improved durability and efficiency over 1,200 hours of continuous operation.
The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) has achieved a breakthrough in perovskite/silicon tandem solar cells, focusing on improving efficiency, stability and scalability. The team aims to raise the energy conversion efficiency from 34% to 40%, while promoting industry-academia-research collaboration.
Researchers analyzed sediment cores to find a recurring 60-year cycle in carbon and silicon burial, showing human intervention led to changes in estuary ecosystems. Human activities like dam construction reduced organic matter delivery, while increased water clarity promoted algal growth.
A LiF-Pie structured interphase is designed for silicon anodes to enhance capacity and cycling stability. This innovative design offers a roadmap for developing next-generation battery technologies.
Astronomers discover stripped-down supernova with unusual chemical signature, providing evidence for the layered structure of stellar giants and unprecedented glimpse into a massive star's interior. The study reveals that stars can lose extensive material before exploding, challenging current theories on stellar evolution.
Researchers successfully converted CO2 from thermal power plant exhaust into formic acid and formamide using waste silicon wafers from discarded solar panels. The reaction produces high yields of these valuable organic chemicals, demonstrating the practicality of recycling materials to sequester greenhouse gases.
Researchers develop predictive framework that connects silicone curing conditions with adhesion strength, enabling dramatic improvements in performance for molded and 3D-printed elastomer components. The 'reaction coordinate' metric allows precise tracking of the degree of curing, even under variable thermal conditions.
Researchers at Chinese Academy of Sciences have measured the mass of silicon-22, revealing a new proton magic number. This finding provides deeper insight into exotic nuclear structures and nucleon interactions, shedding light on element formation in the Universe.
Researchers at University of California, Riverside, found that symmetrical silicon molecules can be fine-tuned for quantum electron behavior, turning conductivity on or off like a molecular-scale switch. This discovery could lead to ultra-small switches and thermoelectric devices, revolutionizing electronics.
A new recycling process for silicones has been developed, reducing environmental impacts by bringing materials back to an earlier state. The chemical recycling method gives direct access to high-quality silicone materials without loss of properties, making it a game-changer for the sector.
A new hardware platform for AI accelerators capable of handling significant workloads with reduced energy requirement has been developed. The platform leverages III-V compound semiconductors to create photonic integrated circuits, which operate at the speed of light with minimal energy loss.
Researchers investigated Si-C anode's thermal stability through systematic thermal stability tests. They found that floating silicon triggers thermal runaway and optimize electrolyte blending ratios to minimize thermal safety risk. Designs strategies for high-thermal-stable Si-C materials are proposed.
Researchers have developed a new low-energy membrane photonic device that enables high-speed data transmission with minimal power consumption. The device was integrated into an optical link on a silicon wafer and demonstrated the ability to transmit 50- and 64-Gbit/s non-return-to-zero signals with just 0.14 or 0.26 pJ/bit of energy.
Irresistible Materials Ltd appoints new CEO to lead business strategy and commercial engagements for its Extreme Ultra Violet (EUV) photoresist platform. The company's MTR technology is expected to grow the global EUV photoresist market at a substantial compound annual growth rate of over 20%.
Harvard researchers have developed a silicon chip capable of recording small yet telltale synaptic signals from a large number of neurons. The chip has successfully mapped over 70,000 synaptic connections from approximately 2,000 rat neurons.
A team at Osaka University discovered that temperature-controlled conductive networks in vanadium dioxide enhance the sensitivity of silicon devices to terahertz light. The researchers created 'living' microelectrodes from VO2, which selectively enhanced the response of silicon photodetectors.
A three-year project aims to proactively ensure circularity of solar panels by providing solutions to barriers throughout the supply chain. The team will develop reverse logistics models and next-generation data-driven supply chains for recycling solar panels and reusing critical materials like silicon and silver.
Researchers developed a fast and scalable programmable photonic latch, enabling temporary data storage in optical processing systems. This technology could enhance AI operations by storing and retrieving data at high speeds.
Scientists have successfully created nanoislands on silicon that can be controlled by an external electric field. These nanoislands exhibit swirling polar textures with promise for future applications in ultra-high-density data storage and energy-efficient transistors.
The EQUSPACE consortium aims to create a scalable solution for silicon-based donor spin qubits, enabling long-term future for Europe's quantum industry. The project will develop materials science methods and atomic modifications to enhance the stability of qubits.
Researchers at the University of Pennsylvania School of Engineering and Applied Science have developed a novel photonic switch that can redirect signals in trillionths of a second with minimal power consumption. The new switch uses non-Hermitian physics and silicon material to achieve unprecedented speed and efficiency.
Researchers at Delft University of Technology have developed durable neural implants that can withstand chronic use, enabling safe and effective brain-computer interfaces. The study found that PDMS coating significantly enhances the longevity of implantable chips.
Researchers have identified clinoptilolite and biochar as cost-effective options for removing siloxane compounds from landfill gas. These natural materials can enhance the performance of adsorbents with modification techniques, offering an environmentally friendly solution to mitigate damage to energy equipment.
Researchers create multilayered chip design that doesn't require silicon wafer substrates, allowing for better communication and computation between layers. This breakthrough enables the construction of fast and powerful AI hardware comparable to supercomputers.
A team of researchers at Nagoya University has developed a way to make LEDs brighter while maintaining their efficiency. By tilting the InGaN layers and cutting the wafer into different orientations, they have found that LEDs with lower polarization but in the same direction as standard LEDs show greater efficiency at higher power.
Industry and academic experts discuss the potential of new materials, configurations, and integration technologies to overcome bandwidth limitations and operational robustness issues in silicon photonic modulators. These advancements are expected to impact emerging applications such as data centers, AI, quantum information processing, ...
Nanomechanical resonators have been used to sense minuscule forces and mass changes. The new aluminum nitride resonator achieved a quality factor of over 10 million, opening doors to new possibilities in quantum sensing technologies.
The development creates thin-film solar cells with high light absorption efficiency, transforming the interaction between light and matter. This breakthrough has potential applications in thermoelectric clothing, onboard vehicle charging, and photo-sensing technologies.
The US Department of Energy has awarded $975,000 to researchers at the University of Arkansas to study aluminum scandium nitride, a ferroelectric material that could be integrated into existing silicon computing platforms. This research aims to create faster computers with lower energy consumption.
Researchers at KAUST have developed a new cooling system that extracts water from the air using gravity, eliminating the need for electricity. The system can double the rate of water collection compared to alternative technologies and offers significant energy savings.
Researchers at Indian Institute of Science develop a neuromorphic platform that stores and processes data in 16,500 conductance states, cutting energy consumption by a huge margin. This breakthrough could enable complex AI tasks on personal devices, transforming the development of AI tools.
Researchers discovered that sponges in the Gulf of Eilat employ a unique tactic to deter predators by storing high concentrations of toxic molybdenum. The symbiotic relationship between the sponge and a bacterium enables this process, allowing the sponge to accumulate metals and neutralize their toxicity.
Researchers developed a high-quality transferred barium titanate ferroelectric hybrid integrated modulator on silicon, overcoming limitations in light modulation. The new method enables optimized thickness and rotation angle to enhance EO modulation efficiency, achieving V π L as low as 1.67 V˜m.
A new AI-powered image recognition technique could help scientists detect dark matter at the LHC by flagging fleeting tracks before collisions occur. The technique, developed by Ashutosh Kotwal and his team, processes images in under 250 nanoseconds and weeds out uninteresting data points.
Researchers at Argonne National Laboratory have developed a faster and more energy-efficient way to manufacture propylene, a key chemical in producing polypropylene. The new process uses zirconium combined with silicon nitride, yielding higher catalytic activity and lower operating temperatures.
Researchers at the University of Melbourne have developed a compact, high-efficiency metasurface-enabled solenoid beam that can draw particles toward it. The technology has the potential to reduce pain and trauma associated with current biopsy methods.
The team achieves nanofabrication of nanostructures buried deep inside silicon wafers, enabling sub-wavelength and multi-dimensional control directly inside the material. The breakthrough opens up new possibilities for developing nano-scale systems with unique architectures.
Researchers have developed low-cost micro-sized silicon anodes from recycled photovoltaic waste using a novel electrolyte design. The new anodes exhibit remarkable electrochemical stability, maintaining an average coulombic efficiency of 99.94% after 200 cycles. This breakthrough addresses the major challenges facing micro-sized silico...
Silicon photonics enables frequency-entangled qubits, allowing secure quantum information distribution across a five-user quantum network. The breakthrough promotes advancements in quantum computing and ultra-secure communications networks.
The researchers successfully transformed brittle semiconductors into flexible fibers, enabling innovative applications in flexible electronics. The fibers have broad application prospects in wearables, the metaverse, AI, extreme environment sensors, and brain-computer interfaces.
Researchers at the University of Melbourne and Manchester have invented a breakthrough technique for manufacturing highly purified silicon, making it ideal for creating powerful quantum computers. The new technique uses qubits of phosphorous atoms implanted into crystals of pure stable silicon, extending the duration of notoriously fra...
Researchers at the University of Manchester have developed an ultra-pure form of silicon that can be used to construct high-performance qubit devices, a crucial component for scalable quantum computers. The breakthrough could enable the creation of one million qubits, which may be fabricated into pinhead-sized devices.
Researchers from UNC-Chapel Hill develop a process using semiconductors and organic compounds to convert CO2 into carbon monoxide, producing a less harmful greenhouse gas. The method uses artificial photosynthesis and achieves 87% efficiency in converting CO2 into carbon monoxide.
Rice University engineers have demonstrated a way to control the optical properties of T centers, paving the way toward leveraging these point defects for building quantum nodes. By embedding a T center in a photonic integrated circuit, they increased the collection efficiency for single photon emission by two orders of magnitude.
A tandem approach for better solar cells involves combining perovskite-based photovoltaics with traditional silicon to minimize losses and increase efficiency. The technology has shown promise in laboratory settings but faces significant practical challenges, including reliability and scalability issues.