Scientists at RMIT University and the CSIRO have produced a new two-dimensional material that could revolutionise the electronics market.
The material – made up of layers of crystal known as molybdenum oxides – has unique properties that encourage the free flow of electrons at ultra-high speeds.
The CSIRO’s Dr Serge Zhuiykov says the new nano-material is made up of layered sheets – similar to graphite layers that make up a pencil’s core.
“Within these layers, electrons are able to zip through at high speeds with minimal scattering,” Zhuiykov says.
“The importance of our breakthrough is how quickly and fluently electrons – which conduct electricity – are able to flow through the new material.”
According to RMIT’s Professor Kourosh Kalantar-zadeh, the researchers were able to remove “road blocks” that could obstruct the electrons.
“If electrons can pass through a structure quicker, we can build devices that are smaller and transfer data at much higher speeds,” Kalantar-zadeh says.
“While more work needs to be done before we can develop actual gadgets using this new 2D nano-material, this breakthrough lays the foundation for a new electronics revolution.”
This material could be worth looking into.