Articles tagged with Silicon
University of Illinois researchers have developed a way to etch very tall, narrow finFETs, a type of transistor that forms a tall semiconductor 'fin' for the current to travel over. The new method addresses problems in creating 3-D devices by stacking layers or carving out structures from a thicker semiconductor wafer.
Researchers at North Carolina State University integrated novel oxides onto a computer chip, enabling new applications such as sensors and non-volatile memory. The integration technology allows for faster, more efficient devices with improved performance.
Researchers from the University of Houston have reported a critical step toward large-scale manufacture of better and less-expensive solar panels. They discovered how perovskite thin films change structure upon gentle heating, crucial for designing a manufacturing process that can consistently produce high-efficiency solar panels.
Researchers have discovered a new class of high thermal conductivity materials that can improve cooling for power electronics and other applications. The silicon dioxide nanoparticles, coated with ethylene glycol, can conduct heat at potentially higher efficiency than existing materials.
Researchers suggest that hot, rocky planets could alter their bulk composition, density, and internal structure due to steam atmosphere loss. This process may have implications for understanding the early Earth's evolution and character.
The sunshield consists of five layers of Kapton material, each coated with aluminum and doped-silicon for optimal thermal insulation. The unique kite-like shape and precise layer separation direct heat away from the optics, allowing the telescope to reach required temperatures.
A team of researchers proposes a new question on the crystallization of water in droplets, finding that density waves are excited before crystallization. The study uses computer simulations to investigate the freezing of nanoscale silicon drops and films, providing new insights into the formation of ice and snow.
A Yale team has developed a new waveguide system that harnesses the interaction of light and sound waves to boost light intensity on a silicon microchip, solving a long-standing problem in hybrid technologies. The breakthrough enables precise control over the interaction, leading to potential commercial applications in fiber-optic comm...
Robert Magnusson's research explores the use of nanostructured silicon films to generate light, potentially leading to faster and more compact integrated photonic-electric circuits. The new technology could also improve sensing instruments and make cameras and infrared technology less expensive.
Researchers at VTT have created a hybrid nanomaterial-based supercapacitor that can store and generate electrical energy on a silicon chip, paving the way for zero-power autonomous devices in IoT. The new technology has impressive power generation of 2 watts on a one square centimetre silicon chip.
University of Delaware researchers found that incorporating rice husk into soil can decrease toxic arsenic levels in rice grain by 25 to 50 percent. This eco-friendly approach has implications for developing countries relying on rice as a staple food and aims to improve soil quality without negatively affecting yield.
Researchers from TU Wien have proposed a new method to create gigantic spin currents in a very small period of time using ultra short laser pulses. The spin current is injected into silicon without creating a charge current due to a spin-selective effect, leading to extremely strong spin-polarization.
Scientists have developed a new technique to dope single-crystal diamonds with boron at relatively low temperatures without degrading the crystal. This breakthrough enables selective doping, allowing for more control when making devices.
A team of researchers has successfully built the first quantum cascade laser on silicon, paving the way for applications in chemical bond spectroscopy, gas sensing, astronomy, and free-space communications. The breakthrough integrates lasers directly on silicon chips, overcoming challenges posed by silicon's indirect bandgap.
Researchers at Columbia University have developed the first on-chip RF circulator that doubles WiFi speeds with a single antenna, transforming telecommunications. The technology enables full-duplex communications, where transmitter and receiver operate simultaneously, doubling network capacity.
Researchers have successfully grown ultra-thin ferroelectric films based on hafnium oxide, which could potentially be used to develop non-volatile memory elements. The films' ferroelectric properties are compatible with silicon technology, paving the way for the creation of new non-volatile memory devices.
Scientists are exploring the potential of bioceramic silicon nitride to treat severe gum disease, which can lead to tooth loss and increase the risk of heart attack or stroke. The material's surface has been shown to degrade bacteria responsible for periodontitis, offering a promising therapeutic aid.
Researchers at Ulsan National Institute of Science and Technology (UNIST) have developed a cost-effective method for producing high-purity silicon nanosheets, which are essential for the mass production of hydrogen. The new technique uses natural clay and salt to synthesize these nanosheets, significantly reducing production costs.
Researchers at NREL and SLAC pinpoint the chemical and physical changes that occur during the firing step in silicon solar cell manufacturing. They found that between 500-650 degrees Celsius, lead oxide etches the antireflective coating on the solar cell, while above 650 degrees, silver dissolves into the molten glass frit.
Researchers have developed a stable and conductive protective layer for the 'artificial leaf' that enhances water oxidation efficiency. The innovative layer, made from ruthenium dioxide nanoparticles and an organic polymer, improves current densities and stability.
Scientists at Helmholtz-Zentrum Berlin developed a protective layer for the 'artificial leaf' that converts 12% of incident solar energy into hydrogen. The new layer, made from graphene, enables stable and efficient water splitting.
A French research team, led by Dr. Frédéric Leroy, has created a method for real-time monitoring of surface changes at the atomic level. The approach enables them to study the kinetics of silicon dioxide decomposition onto silicon during thermal treatment, revealing a non-homogeneous process involving hole nucleation and opening.
New research finds that overlooked electrical resistance in organic field-effect transistors can lead to overestimates of charge-carrier mobility. The study's findings challenge conventional wisdom and highlight the need for accurate measurement methods to benchmark organic semiconductor performance.
Researchers from Cardiff University have demonstrated the first practical laser grown directly on a silicon substrate, paving the way for ultra-fast communication between computer chips. The breakthrough has the potential to transform various sectors, including communications, healthcare and energy generation.
The SuperKEKB electron-positron collider has achieved 'First Turns,' a major milestone for the new accelerator. The machine is designed to produce high-intensity particle beams, enabling the Belle-II experiment to probe fundamental theories beyond the Standard Model.
A new one-atom-thick flat material made of silicon, boron, and nitrogen has been discovered by University of Kentucky physicist Madhu Menon. The material is extremely stable, a property lacking in many graphene alternatives, and can be fine-tuned to suit various applications.
Researchers have developed a method to rapidly change electron spins using microwave photons, demonstrating potential for quantum information processing and enhancements in magnetic resonance techniques. The experiment showed an accelerated relaxation of electron spins and the release of a microwave photon in about 1 second.
An international team led by Dr. Yury Gogotsi and Dr. Patrice Simon has confirmed that carbon films can be integrated into silicon chips for energy storage, enabling the creation of microscale batteries on a chip. This breakthrough opens up possibilities for smaller personal electronic devices and the Internet of Things.
Physicists at TUM have developed a nanolaser that can be integrated onto a silicon chip, paving the way for fast and efficient data processing with light. The technology has the potential to break barriers of current electronics.
A research team at Toyohashi University of Technology has developed a wireless power transmission device that can supply electricity to a neural interface implanted on the brain. The device features a flexible antenna and a silicon chip, allowing for minimally invasive implantation and efficient energy transfer.
Researchers at UTA are using ultra-thin semiconductor lasers to create more efficient and power-consumption systems for computers and data centers. The technology has the potential to be applied in various fields, including medicine and consumer electronics, enabling devices with increased speed, bandwidth, and capabilities.
The Ions4Set project seeks to develop single electron transistors that can process information at room temperature, overcoming current power consumption limitations. By combining these transistors with field effect transistors, the EU project aims to create energy-efficient minicomputers for the 'Internet of Things'.
Scientists develop custom-fit graphene cages to enhance silicon anode particles, improving charging capacity and stability. The approach could enable larger, cheaper, and more efficient batteries.
A team of chemists and materials scientists at Umeå University has discovered a method to align polymer chains vertically, enabling ultra-fast charge transport. This breakthrough has implications for the production of efficient organic opto-electronic devices, such as solar cells and light-emitting diodes.
Scientists at NREL found that certain defects can improve carrier collection and surface passivation of silicon solar cells. The study's results run counter to conventional wisdom and have implications for the development of more efficient solar cells.
Researchers have developed a hybrid silicon/perovskite tandem solar cell with an optimum band gap of 1.75eV, achieving a significant increase in efficiency due to improved light absorption and stability. This breakthrough could lead to the development of high-efficiency solar modules with increased theoretical maximum efficiency.
Researchers added cesium to perovskite solar cells, increasing thermal and photostability while maintaining high efficiency. The modified cells showed a boost in efficiency when layered on top of silicon photovoltaics, potentially achieving over 25% efficiency.
Researchers developed a model to study adjustable adhesion power in rough, elastic surfaces. The study focused on the transition from weak to strong adhesion, revealing its importance in establishing contact.
A team of researchers at MIT has successfully built a working optoelectronic microprocessor, demonstrating the feasibility of optical communication in computing. The chip computes electronically but uses light to move information, potentially reducing power consumption and increasing performance.
Researchers have discovered that silicon nanocones can intensify luminescence by up to 200 times compared to nanocolumns. This is due to the amplification of electromagnetic waves through whisper gallery modes, which facilitate increased electron excitation and release of light.
Researchers at Stanford University have developed a novel way to make metal contacts on solar cells nearly invisible to incoming light. This breakthrough uses nanotechnology to create silicon nanopillars that redirect sunlight, increasing the cell's efficiency and reducing reflection loss.
The Rochester Institute of Technology and Raytheon Vision Systems collaboration has received $2 million in NSF funding to develop new infrared detectors grown on silicon wafers. The technology is expected to increase discovery space for telescopes and expand its use to homeland security, remote sensing, and biomedical imaging.
Researchers measured thermal expansion of ceramics and silicon in a precise temperature range, revealing significant deviations from reference values. The results are crucial for future space missions like JWST and SPICA.
Researchers have successfully integrated flexoelectric materials into silicon technology, paving the way for more energy-efficient and sustainable electronics. The development could provide an alternative to traditional piezoelectric materials, which pose toxicity concerns.
Researchers have designed a tunable filter that can be integrated onto a photonic chip, enabling flexible optical networks. The device has a record-breaking tuning span of 670 GHz, making it suitable for handling large data volumes and adapting to dynamic changes.
Researchers have made significant breakthroughs in nanopore technology that could pave the way for a surgically implantable artificial kidney. The new device is designed to remove toxins and waste from the blood without a pump or electrical power, offering a promising alternative to dialysis for patients with end-stage renal disease.
The new approach created flexible Fresnel zone plate microlenses with a wide field of view, enabling capture of broad perspectives at reduced size. The lenses are no larger than the head of a pin and can be freely reconfigured.
Physicists at UNSW Australia and the University of Melbourne have designed a scalable 3D silicon chip architecture based on single atom quantum bits, enabling the development of operational quantum computers. The design provides an endpoint in the international race to build such systems.
Researchers developed a flexible phototransistor that exceeds previous parameters, including sensitivity and response time. The innovative design enables improved performance in various products, such as digital cameras and night-vision goggles.
Researchers at UC San Diego have developed a new fabrication process that cuts the time needed to make high-tech flexible sensors in half. The new process uses a peel-and-stick medium and allows for mass-market manufacturing, making it possible to monitor vital signs and brain activity more easily.
Researchers created a compact photonic switch on silicon nanostructures, enabling ultrafast optical pulse switching at femtosecond rates. This device could revolutionize computing by transferring data at tens and hundreds terabits per second, outperforming traditional electronic devices.
Silicon-based lithium-ion batteries with a 40-60% increase in energy density could power smartphones up to 500 km without recharging. The eco-friendly technology reduces battery weight and enhances vehicle performance.
Researchers at the University of New South Wales have successfully built a silicon quantum computer, overcoming a crucial hurdle. The achievement enables the creation of a logic gate using two qubits, paving the way for a full-scale processor chip.
Researchers at Georgia Institute of Technology have developed a liquid-cooling system that can be integrated directly onto chips, enabling the creation of denser and more powerful electronic systems. The system has been demonstrated to operate at temperatures significantly below those of air-cooled devices.
Researchers in Vietnam found that silicon fertilization increases rice plant strength, resistances, and grain yield. The study also showed that recycling silicon through straw decomposition maintains high Si levels for multiple crops.
Researchers have reported surprisingly high damage tolerance in electrochemically-lithiated silicon materials, suggesting all-silicon anodes may be commercially viable. The study found that above a certain concentration of lithium, the material becomes more tolerant to damage, making it possible to design durable silicon-based batteries.
Researchers at Northwestern University and the University of Illinois have developed a new assembly method that uses strategic 'Kirigami cuts' to create complex 3D structures out of silicon and other materials. The technique enables the production of mostly closed 3D shapes with limited ability to achieve spatially extended devices.
Physicists have developed a single silicon nanoparticle as an ultrafast all-optical transistor, enabling ultrafast switching and promising for optical computing. The study found that the nanoparticle's properties can be dramatically changed by irradiating it with intense laser pulses, allowing for control of light scattering direction.
A recent study at Purdue University contradicts a fundamental assumption about organic solar cells, pointing towards a potential path to create inexpensive solar technology that can compete with standard silicon cells. The findings suggest that a design change could improve charge separation and increase efficiency.
A study published in Scientific Reports reveals that a conductive polymer mixture PEDOT:PSS behaves like a p-type semiconductor when combined with n-type silicon, leading to improved power conversion efficiency. This finding suggests new ways for optimizing devices and could point the way toward future advancements in hybrid solar cells.