Physicists at the University of Sussex have invented what they describe as the smallest microelectronic chips in the world to date, made using graphene and other two-dimensional materials, along with a form of "nano-origami." This technique represents the first time any researcher has been able to achieve this.
Reportedly, the researchers succeeded in creating these chips to make the nanoscale material behave like a transistor. The research team demonstrated in their study that when a strip of graphene is crumpled in a specific way, it acts like a microchip about 100 times smaller than a conventional microchip. It is important to note that there is an urgent need for the development and discovery of new methods for building microelectronic chips, as existing conventional semiconductor technology is unsustainable and has delivered all it can so far. Furthermore, the researchers believe that using these materials in their technology will make computer chips smaller and faster. They named this technique "Straintronics," which primarily utilizes nanoscale materials instead of electronics, allowing for more chips to be attached inside modern small devices. The researchers think that everything we want to do to speed up computers can be achieved by crumpling graphene. By using the crumpling method, they can create intelligent electronic components like transistors or logic gates. Their breakthrough promises more environmentally friendly and sustainable technology compared to existing modern technology. They stated that no additional materials are required to create the microchips, and this new technique operates at room temperature, not requiring high temperatures or energy to produce.
It is noteworthy that the researchers did not indicate when or if their new technology would be marketed. Additionally, computer and smartphone manufacturers have struggled in recent years to increase chip speeds in any significant way, with many believing that the limits of current technology have been reached.
