Summary:
Molecule sized transistors made using graphene. Graphene geat conductor, works at room temperature. Challenge is to make large wafers. Other applications: displays and solar panels. (17/04/2008)
Notes:
- graphene
- single layer of graphite, thickness of one atom
- stable and robust
- transparent
- Dr Kostya Novoselov and Professor Andre Geim from The School of Physics and Astronomy at The University of Manchester
- first to separate sheet of graphene from graphite, 2004
- leading research into potential applications of graphene in electronics
- Manchester team shown that graphene can be carved into electronic circuits with individual transistors
- transistors not much larger than one molecule
- graphene can conduct electricity better than silicon
- great conductor
- graphene transistors will work at room temperature
- current silicon roadmap expected to end in 2020
- race to find alternative materials
- biggest challenge: producing graphene sheets big enough to be used as wafers for chip production
- biggest wafer produced so far: 100um
- yield of working devices: ~50%
- same process used as in making silicon transistors
- use in display technology?
- because it is transparent
- transparent conductor
- using small interconnecting graphene sheets together
- other applications: solar panels, transparent window coatings, sensing technologies
