Articles tagged with Silicon
Researchers developed a new technique to measure nanomechanical properties of microstructures undergoing stress and heating, revealing insights for improving microelectronics and battery designs. The technology uses laser-based Raman spectroscopy to study surface stresses and their impact on mechanical properties.
Rice University researchers have created a CMOS-compatible, biomimetic color photodetector that directly responds to red, green and blue light. The device uses an aluminum grating that can be added to silicon photodetectors with the mainstay technology, "complementary metal-oxide semiconductor," or CMOS.
A team of international researchers has successfully isolated thick multilayers of silicene and demonstrated its stability in the presence of oxygen for at least 24 hours. The breakthrough allows scientists to further explore the material's properties, which have made silicene a promising candidate for the electronics industry.
Researchers from NUS use a focused laser beam to 'draw' micropatterns on nanomaterials, enhancing electrical conductivity and photoconductivity by over 10 times. This technique has potential for advanced applications in electronics and optoelectronics.
Researchers at Rice University have developed a breakthrough silicon oxide memory technology that can be fabricated at room temperature with conventional methods. The new porous silicon oxide version improves the forming voltage and eliminates edge fabrication needs.
A team of researchers at the University of California, Riverside has created a novel method to produce high-performance lithium-ion battery anodes using sand. The innovative technique, which involves milling and purifying quartz from sand, results in a porous nano-silicon material that improves battery lifespan up to three times.
Researchers developed a porous silicon material to replace traditional graphite in lithium-ion batteries, allowing for more energy storage capacity and longer runtime. The new material maintained over 80% of its initial capacity after 1,000 charge-and-discharge cycles.
Researchers at Linköping University solved the long-standing mystery of a printed diode by applying it in the GHz band, enabling power supply to printed electronics via mobile phones. The breakthrough was achieved through tunnel effects, a phenomenon in quantum physics.
Researchers have developed a simple way to etch nanoscale spikes into silicon, allowing more than 99% of sunlight to reach the cells' active elements. The new process reduces costs associated with solar cell production and increases efficiency.
Scientists at the University of Twente have successfully folded flat sheets of silicon nitride into complex 3D structures using a custom software program and water. The technique has potential applications in delivering drugs to targeted areas of the body or performing autonomous microsurgery.
Engineers at UC Davis developed three-dimensional nanowire transistors using a new approach to integrate semiconductors on silicon substrates. This technology enables devices to operate in high temperatures, handle high power or voltages, and optical applications.
Researchers at the University of Huddersfield are developing molecular wires that could replace silicon chips, offering significant increases in computing power and data storage capacity. The project, led by Dr. Nathan Patmore, is backed by an £800,000 Royal Society Research Fellowship.
The USC Viterbi team created a low-cost silicon anode that offers high electrode performance for rechargeable lithium-ion batteries. They also developed a method to coat sulfur powder with graphene oxide, improving the performance of lithium-sulfur batteries.
Researchers have discovered that many hot white dwarfs' atmospheres are contaminated by rocky material from planetary systems, suggesting a similar proportion of stars build terrestrial planets. This breakthrough has implications for the ultimate fate of the Earth billions of years in the future.
A study by Universidad Carlos III de Madrid reveals that nanofoams follow the same universal laws as soap lather, with small bubbles disappearing in favor of larger ones. The researchers used an atomic force microscope to observe the evolution of nanostructures during ion radiation.
A Stanford team developed a process to dope carbon nanotubes with an additive, improving their electronic performance. The resulting flexible CNT circuits can tolerate power fluctuations like silicon chips, enabling bendable electronics with low power consumption.
LEDs are expected to capture up to 90% of the lighting market by 2020, offering environmental benefits and high efficiency. GaN transistors enable faster switching speeds, leading to reduced energy consumption and increased light output.
Researchers at Caltech have developed a silicon chip that can bend light waves electronically, eliminating the need for bulky optics. This technology allows for rapid image projection with a single laser diode and no mechanically moving parts.
Scientists found that rough zinc oxide coatings can prevent adhesion between small silicon parts, a concern in microelectromechanical systems. The study could accelerate the development of high-performance electronics and sensors.
University of Cincinnati researchers have made a breakthrough in boosting the efficiency of polymer solar cells by adding graphene nanoflakes, increasing performance threefold. The new method aims to make solar-powered panels lighter, less expensive and more flexible.
Researchers have developed novel devices that can be turned on and off using light, enabling a new wave of highly efficient electronics. The breakthrough is crucial for performing computations, which rely on a series of on-off switches.
Researchers at Caltech have created a new laser that can carry vast amounts of information, increasing data transmission rates in optical-fiber networks. The high-coherence laser has a 20 times narrower range of frequencies than previous lasers, enabling faster and more efficient communication.
A new design inspired by a pomegranate overcomes obstacles to using silicon anodes in lithium-ion batteries, allowing for increased storage capacity. The pomegranate-inspired electrode operates at 97% capacity after 1,000 cycles of charging and discharging.
A team of researchers has successfully integrated key components of a quantum computer onto a silicon microchip, paving the way for the development of a practical quantum computer. The breakthrough enables the creation of a photon-based device capable of performing complex calculations, potentially rivaling modern computing hardware.
A research team led by Ken Shepard has won a $3 million grant from the US Energy Department's ARPA-E program to develop next-generation power conversion devices. The goal is to lower costs and improve energy efficiency in power electronics, enabling applications like data centers, electric vehicles, and photovoltaics.
The NUS team has successfully developed a one-step method to grow and transfer high-quality graphene on silicon substrates, opening up opportunities for its use in photonics and electronics. The 'face-to-face transfer' method enables the technological application of graphene in optoelectronic modulators, transistors, and biosensors.
Sandia National Laboratories researchers have devised a novel technique to increase the electrical conductivity of metal-organic framework (MOF) materials by over six orders of magnitude. This breakthrough has significant implications for the development of new electronics, sensors, energy conversion and storage technologies.
Case Western Reserve engineers create nanoscale switches with low power consumption and durability, enabling faster and more efficient computing. The silicon carbide-based technology could lead to significant advancements in electronics and computing.
The SIKELOR project seeks to process silicon waste from solar panel production through electromagnetic stirring and separation. The goal is to develop an industrially viable and resource-friendly method for recycling silicon waste, potentially reducing production costs and increasing efficiency.
Researchers developed a stretchy polymer that coats the electrode, binds it together, and spontaneously heals tiny cracks during battery operation. This self-healing coating extends silicon electrodes' lifespan up to 10 times, making them suitable for electric vehicles and cell phones.
Researchers develop a silicon-based water splitter coated with an ultrathin layer of nickel, achieving stability for over 80 hours without corrosion. The innovative device uses light to split water into oxygen and hydrogen, offering a sustainable alternative for clean energy production.
Scientists at the University of Houston develop technology to etch silicon wafers with atomic precision, overcoming industry challenges and enabling the creation of radically smaller and more powerful integrated circuits. By controlling ion kinetic energy, they can selectively etch materials like silicon and silicon dioxide.
A new super-thin silicon membrane developed at the University of Rochester enables the creation of miniaturized pumps that can be powered by small batteries, paving the way for portable diagnostic devices. This breakthrough could lead to applications in medical and electronic device cooling, as well as cost-effective fabrication methods.
Researchers use TopoChip platform to test thousands of surface patterns and catalog cellular responses, revealing the 'Braille code' of cells. The approach has potential applications in improving medical device performance and reducing negative reactions to artificial implants.
Researchers develop novel supercapacitor design using porous silicon and graphene coating, enabling over two orders of magnitude improvement in energy density. The device has the potential to power consumer electronics and renewable energy systems.
Researchers at Joint Quantum Institute report direct observation of topological effects for light in two dimensions, creating ultrastable quantum 'playgrounds.' Photonic edge states exhibit persistent flow and near immunity against defects, similar to quantum Hall effect for electrons.
A UT Arlington professor is working on a new system that could be used in various communications and computer devices, using lasers on silicon chips to increase capacity and speed. The research aims to advance the use of lasers on silicon, which has the potential to lower energy consumption and improve data transfer rates.
Researchers from UT Arlington and MIT developed a new technology that allows for quantitative microscopy through opaque media, enabling the observation of cellular processes in lab-on-a-chip devices. The technique uses near infrared light and quantitative phase imaging to achieve label-free imaging with nanometer thickness accuracy.
Researchers developed nanowires that block lithium diffusion, promoting layer-by-layer lithiation and potentially minimizing cracking and improving durability. This breakthrough could lead to more effective electrode architectures for lithium-ion batteries.
New research reveals that waviness in vertically-aligned carbon nanotubes leads to reduced stiffness due to tiny kinkiness in their structure. This finding has potential applications in thermal interface materials and heat transfer, where the compliance of the nanotubes can help connect to silicon chips and copper heat spreaders.
A team of Stanford engineers has built a basic computer using carbon nanotubes, demonstrating their potential as a successor to silicon chips. The achievement showcases the efficiency and low-power switching capabilities of CNTs, which could lead to smaller, faster, and cheaper electronic devices.
Researchers at Stanford University developed a method to assemble transistors from graphene using DNA as a template, addressing the need for smaller, faster, and cheaper chips. The process involves using DNA strands to create ribbons of carbon atoms, which are then used to form semiconductor circuits.
Researchers have made a significant breakthrough in metal-insulator-metal, or MIM diodes, which could lead to the development of faster and more efficient electronic devices. The new diodes use a 'sandwich' structure to enable electron tunneling through insulators, potentially enabling precise control over device operation.
Researchers at USC have developed a breakthrough method to control the atomic structure of carbon nanotubes, enabling the growth of nanotubes with specific attributes. The study's findings have significant implications for the development of next-generation materials and computers.
Researchers at Oregon State University have identified a compound in table salt that can prevent the collapse of silicon nanostructures, allowing for mass commercial production. This breakthrough could lead to new applications in fields like photonics, biological imaging, and batteries.
A Caltech team has engineered a miniature silicon system to produce squeezed light, a type of ultraquiet light useful for precise measurements. The system, which reduces quantum fluctuations, enables the creation of precision microsensors capable of beating standard limits set by quantum mechanics.
Scientists have found that the thickness of sub-surface layers affects frictional forces between two materials, allowing for new ways to control friction. By carefully designing layer structures, friction can be reduced by up to 30%.
Scientists at the University of Adelaide have created a novel structure that traps terahertz waves in tiny holes to produce higher contrast imaging. This breakthrough has the potential to enhance the sensitivity of medical diagnostic and security scanners, leading to more accurate cancer detection and improved homeland security.
Rice University scientists have developed a 1-kilobit rewritable silicon oxide device with diodes that eliminate data-corrupting crosstalk. The technique creates a channel of pure metallic phase silicon, allowing for high on/off ratio and multibit switching.
Researchers at MIT have developed a new approach to improve solar cells by creating the thinnest and most lightweight panels possible. These panels, made from stacked sheets of one-molecule-thick materials such as graphene or molybdenum disulfide, could produce up to 1,000 times more power per pound than conventional photovoltaics.
A team of researchers at the University of New South Wales has proposed a new way to distinguish between quantum bits placed only a few nanometres apart, resolving two key technical challenges. The method involves using individual phosphorus atoms in silicon chips, allowing for precise control and operation of qubits.
Researchers at Ohio State University have developed a coating that can protect silicon-based electronics from interfering with the human body's electrolytes. This breakthrough technology could lead to sensors that detect organ rejection and enable the development of implantable devices that replace damaged nerves.
Scientists at TUM have synthesized a novel framework structure consisting of boron and silicon, which could serve as an electrode material. The LiBSi2 framework has channels that allow for the storage and release of lithium atoms, making it a promising alternative to pure silicon.
Researchers developed a new technique for producing low-cost, high-capacity lithium-ion batteries using silicon-based electrodes. The unique nanoscale architecture of the silicon-composite electrode creates an electronically conducting pathway, allowing for exceptional electrochemical stability.
A team of University of Pennsylvania physicists has made progress in the development of a new gene sequencing technique using solid-state nanopores. The researchers successfully differentiated single-stranded DNA molecules containing sequences of a single repeating base, achieving a promising breakthrough in this area.
Researchers aim to explore patterns of human collaboration in creating large-scale knowledge repositories. They seek to create a 'human-genome map' of online behavior, enabling observation and improvement of social knowledge creation processes.
Scientists at KIT successfully demonstrated a method to influence the propagation of heat around objects by using specially arranged materials. By creating an annular structure with copper and silicon, they can control how heat flows around hidden areas, making it ideal for applications such as microchips and machines.
Researchers from Australia have achieved a breakthrough in detecting the spin state of a single atom using a novel combined optical and electrical approach. This innovation brings closer the prospect of a global quantum internet, which could revolutionize secure communications for various industries.
A new camera inspired by insect compound eyes has been developed, featuring a wide field of view and infinite depth of field. The camera uses stretchable electronics and a hemispherical lens design to eliminate distortion.
Researchers develop method to make germanium laser-compatible through high tensile strain, enabling faster data transfer via light. The new technique could increase computer performance and revolutionize computing chip design.