These electronic materials are expected to replace silicon

Latest update time：2023-06-06 11:14

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Source: Content by Semiconductor Industry Observer (ID: icb ank ) compiled from fierceelectronics, thank you.

Imagine a world where our electronic devices are smarter, faster, lighter, more flexible, and capable of pushing the boundaries of what we thought was possible.

With the emergence of many competitors, the future of electronic products is full of hope.

Silicon has served us well over the past few decades. However, silicon’s dominance as the industry’s long-standing cornerstone is now being challenged by a number of alternative materials that hold the key to unlocking revolutionary advances.

According to Deep Jariwala, a professor at the University of Pennsylvania's Device Research and Engineering Laboratory, "We've reached a point where even though you can keep shrinking silicon; it's getting to the point where it's no longer energy efficient."

"Even though silicon works at these extremely small dimensions, the energy efficiency required to do one calculation has been going up. That makes it very unsustainable. Energy-wise, it doesn't make sense anymore."

While silicon has served us well, it's clear that now is the time to explore new frontiers. We need to unlock the secrets of materials that offer extraordinary possibilities and pave the way for a new era of innovation.

New materials promise to shape the world as we know it.

As Moore's Law pushes boundaries, Professor Kaul ventures beyond silicon

In the fast-paced field of high-performance computing, Professor Anupama Kaul of the University of North Texas is embarking on a groundbreaking journey to unlock the potential of nanomaterials and revolutionize the electronics industry.

Kaul specializes in tungsten diselenide and is actively researching alternatives to silicon to address its inefficiencies and national security concerns.

"Currently, the multi-trillion-dollar silicon electronics industry is facing serious challenges from the inefficiency of energy in the switching state of transistors," Kaur said. "Devices like our laptops or iPhones emit a lot of heat."

Silicon, the powerhouse behind the trillion-dollar electronics industry, is facing a critical crossroads due to energy inefficiencies and the limitations of Moore's Law in scaling transistors.

This is where Kaul's expertise in two-dimensional layered materials (2DLM) shines. She envisions a future of higher-performance and more energy-efficient computing devices by integrating these materials into chips.

Their near-perfect atomic interface sets these materials apart, allowing electrons to flow seamlessly without energy loss or obstruction, even at nanoscale dimensions.

But Kaul's research doesn't stop there. She delved into quantum computing, a paradigm that transcends the binary limitations of silicon-based transistors. Quantum computing offers the potential for parallel logical computation and multiple states, challenging the status quo.

Kaur's work on advanced materials such as tungsten diselenide aligns with national initiatives such as the National Quantum Initiative, which aims to advance quantum research and development. These materials hold the promise of enabling single-photon emission and may help bring quantum computing to chips.

Beyond technology, Kaul's research has profound implications for national security and economic stability. Quantum computing is a significant topic as the United States aims to reduce its reliance on overseas semiconductor manufacturing facilities.

Although Kaul's research is still in its early stages, there is evidence that high-performance computing and quantum technologies will emerge and coexist in the future.

Potential Silicone Substitutes

Graphene

Graphene is a popular single layer of carbon atoms arranged in a two-dimensional honeycomb lattice structure. It is the thinnest, strongest material known to man and has excellent mechanical, electrical and thermal properties.

Its unique atomic arrangement gives it unparalleled strength, superior electrical conductivity and superior thermal conductivity, setting it apart from other materials.

Potential applications

Electronics and computing. Graphene's excellent electrical conductivity and high electron mobility make it ideal for next-generation electronics, offering faster transistors, low-power electronics, and potential applications in quantum computing.
Energy storage. Graphene, with its large surface area, electrical conductivity and mechanical strength, holds great promise for energy storage. It enables high-density supercapacitors and batteries to provide fast charging, longer service life, and has the potential to transform the energy storage industry.
sensing and biosensing. Graphene's sensitivity to external stimuli makes it ideal for sensing applications such as environmental monitoring, biomedical diagnostics, and wearable technology, enabling the detection of subtle environmental changes with exceptional precision and sensitivity.

related oxides

Related oxides exhibit a wide range of interesting behaviors, including high-temperature superconductivity, giant magnetoresistance, metal-insulator transitions, multiferroics, and more.

These phenomena arise from a delicate balance between charge, spin, orbital, and lattice degrees of freedom, giving rise to complex electronic and magnetic properties.

This complexity often arises from the interaction of different electronic states, leading to new collective behaviors and phase transitions.

Potential applications

Electronics and Spintronics. Related oxides have the potential for use in next-generation memory devices and sensors, exploiting metal-insulator transitions and switchable magnetism.
Energy conversion and storage. Due to their high-temperature superconductivity and reversible structural phase transitions, related oxides offer possibilities for energy transmission, generation and storage.
Sensing and Actuation. The unique properties of the related oxides enable high-performance sensors and actuators, making them suitable for applications in robotics, biomedical devices, and smart systems.

Gallium Nitride (GaN)

Gallium nitride (GaN) is a wide-bandgap semiconductor material that has attracted much attention in recent years for its revolutionary potential in power electronics.

GaN exhibits remarkable properties that contribute to its advantages in power electronics applications. One of GaN's key properties is its wide bandgap, which allows it to operate at higher voltages and temperatures than silicon. This property enables GaN devices to handle higher power levels without compromising efficiency.

Potential applications

Power converters and inverters. GaN devices are used in AC-DC and DC-DC converters, as well as inverters for motor drives. Their high efficiency and power handling capabilities enable smaller, more efficient power conversion systems.
Electric vehicle (EV) charging systems. GaN-based power electronics technology can reduce charging times, increase power density, and increase the efficiency of EV charging infrastructure, thereby promoting widespread adoption of electric vehicles.
Renewable energy systems. GaN devices can increase the efficiency and power density of solar and wind energy systems. They enable better energy conversion, reduce power losses and help integrate renewable energy into the grid.
Data centers and telecommunications infrastructure. GaN-based power electronics can provide higher power density and energy efficiency for data centers and telecommunications infrastructure, helping to meet growing data processing and communication needs.

organic material

Organic materials are a class of compounds composed primarily of carbon atoms bonded to hydrogen and other elements.

In electronics, organic materials refer to organic semiconductors and conductive polymers with unique electrical and optical properties. These materials offer several advantages, including flexibility, light weight, and the potential for low-cost manufacturing.

Potential applications

Flexible display. Organic light-emitting diodes (OLEDs) based on organic materials offer significant advantages for flexible displays. These displays can be rolled, bent and curved, enabling new form factors for smartphones, TVs and wearables.
Organic photovoltaics. Organic solar cells, also known as organic photovoltaics (OPV), have the potential to provide lightweight, flexible and low-cost solar energy conversion. They can be integrated into building materials, portable electronics and wearable devices.
Printed and flexible electronics. Organic materials can be printed on a variety of substrates, enabling the production of flexible and conformable electronic circuits, sensors and RFID tags. These applications can be found in smart packaging, medical devices and electronic textiles.
Bioelectronics and biomedical applications. Organic materials are compatible with biological systems, making them suitable for use in bioelectronic devices such as biosensors, bioelectrodes, and neural interfaces. They hold great promise in medical diagnostics, drug delivery systems, and tissue engineering.

In addition to the materials mentioned above, other promising materials are about to be used in future electronics. For example, 2D materials such as transition metal dichalcogenides (TMDs) and black phosphorus have shown potential in applications such as flexible electronics and energy storage.

Hybrid materials such as organic-inorganic perovskites are also being explored to improve the stability and performance of devices such as solar cells and LEDs. These materials offer exciting opportunities for the advancement of electronic technology.

Where to go in the future?

In the ever-evolving field of electronics, the future holds countless possibilities. As researchers continue to push the boundaries of innovation and explore new materials, the stage is set for a transformative technological revolution.

Key aspects that may happen in the future:

Advanced performance. Future electronics will demonstrate unparalleled performance that exceeds the capabilities of current devices. With materials like graphene and carbon nanotubes, we can expect faster, more efficient transistors, allowing for higher processing speeds and enhanced computing power. This will pave the way for breakthrough applications in areas such as artificial intelligence, quantum computing and data-intensive tasks. This will have a huge impact on various important industries, including banking and finance. For example, according to recent statistics, 80% of financial institutions believe that AI has the potential to help streamline their procedures and provide a safer and easier experience for their customers.
miniaturization. The future of electronics will see unprecedented levels of miniaturization. Using materials such as carbon nanotubes and 2D materials, devices can be scaled down to nanoscale dimensions without sacrificing functionality. This miniaturization will revolutionize industries such as healthcare, where implantable medical devices and nanorobots can be used for precise diagnosis and targeted drug delivery.
Flexibility and abrasion resistance. In the future, flexible and wearable electronics will become increasingly common. Organic and 2D materials offer unique flexibility advantages, allowing devices to bend, fold and adapt to a variety of surfaces. This opens up possibilities for smart clothing, bendable displays and electronic skins that can monitor health parameters and seamlessly integrate technology into our daily lives.
energy efficiency. Demand for energy-saving electronics will continue to grow. New materials such as gallium nitride (GaN) offer higher energy conversion efficiency and lower power consumption, making them ideal for power electronics, electric vehicles and energy storage devices. In addition, advances in perovskite solar cells and organic photovoltaics promise to enable efficient, low-cost renewable energy generation. We're seeing this in automotive applications, for example, with the rise of electric vehicles, and the general public is starting to take notice. Recent research shows that more than 70% of people living in Canada and 40% of respondents living in the United States said they are seriously considering purchasing an electric vehicle as their next car purchase.
Sustainability and biodegradability. The future of electronics will prioritize sustainability and environmental awareness. Organic materials derived from renewable resources have the potential to replace conventional materials that are harmful to the environment. Biodegradable electronics made from materials that break down naturally over time will reduce e-waste and help achieve a more sustainable future.
Integration of emerging technologies. Future electronics will seamlessly integrate with emerging technologies to create innovative solutions. This includes the integration of Internet of Things (IoT) devices, artificial intelligence, virtual reality, augmented reality and advanced sensor technology. These synergies will enable smart homes, smart cities, personalized healthcare and immersive digital experiences.
Challenges and ethical considerations. While the future holds great potential, it also brings challenges and ethical considerations. Technical barriers such as material synthesis, scalability and reliability need to be overcome to commercialize these new materials. Additionally, privacy, security, and ethical issues surrounding data collection and artificial intelligence must be addressed to ensure responsible and beneficial use of future electronics.

in conclusion

The electronics world is on the verge of a transformative revolution that transcends the limitations of traditional silicon. The emergence of alternative materials could reshape the future of the electronics industry.

These materials have unique properties and advantages that can open up new possibilities for advanced, efficient and miniaturized devices. Researchers, industry professionals and policymakers must collaborate and invest in the exploration and development of alternative materials.

With perseverance and innovation, researchers can unlock the transformative potential of these materials. This will revolutionize the electronics industry and pave the way for a future of advanced, sustainable and connected electronic devices.

The era of Beyond Silicon has arrived, and the possibilities are vast and promising.

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