The use of graphene and other 2D materials to create the smallest microchips in the world, in a method called “nano-origami”, can speed up computers.
Physicists from the University of Sussex in the United Kingdom first discovered.
‘Nano-origami’ is a shape made by kinks, or crackling kinks, in nanomaterials such as graphene, and researchers have discovered that when placed in such a format, the graphene acts as a small microchip. By shrinking the material, the researchers found a way to make a microchip that is 100 times smaller than the current one.
Uses in computer
The discovery could be big for the future of computers.
As prof. Alan Dalton of the University of Sussex, who worked on the study, said:By using this nanomaterial, our computer chips will become smaller and faster. It is absolutely critical that this happens, as computer manufacturers are now on the cusp of what they can do with traditional semiconductor technology. ‘
“Ultimately, it will speed up our computers and phones thousands of times.”
This type of technology, called “straintronics”, uses nanomaterials such as graphene instead of electronics, and in this particular case allows more space in devices to use more chips.
“Everything we want to do with computers – to speed it up – can be done by shrinking graphene like this,” continues prof. Dalton.
What’s great about the team’s discovery is that it’s no longer necessary to add more and more foreign material to a device to make it work faster. Instead, they just need to use this nano-origami method with materials like graphene, and they have a greener and more sustainable technology that is also faster.
The team pointed out that the technology is greener because it does not require more materials, and that the process uses less energy, as it can be done at room temperature rather than using high temperatures.
The study is published in the journal ACS Nano.