—The first fully printed electronics roll off printers ready to use “Low-temperature aerosol-jet-printing process builds transistors on paper and plastic” Printing digital devices with inkjet technology usually involves steps beyond the printer, such as rinsing or curing in an oven. Now, researchers have made the first fully printed transistors—ones that emerge with all their components in place, ready to be used (ACS Nano 2019, DOI: 10.1021/acsnano.9b04337).
by Prachi Patel | October 12, 2019
—IBM researchers unveil first 5-nm chip “The breakthrough could help pave the way for cognitive computing and more efficient cell phones” An IBM-led research team has demonstrated a fabrication process that makes semiconductor chips featuring 5-nm transistors. Current state-of-the-art chips on the market have 10-nm transistors.
by Alex H. Tullo | June 07, 2017
—New Route To Graphene Devices “Nanoelectronics: Procedure draws on industry-compatible methods and materials” A new strategy for fabricating graphene-based transistors—one that relies on materials and methods compatible with those used in the microelectronics industry—has been developed by researchers at IBM (Nature, DOI: 10.1038/nature09979).
by Mitch Jacoby | April 11, 2011
—TOWARD BETTER, COLORFUL DEVICES “Organic Electronics: Scientists report advances in making organic transistors and green polymer” Two new reports in the hot field of organic electronics highlight advances in the fabrication of flexible transistors and colorful displays. A group led by John A. Rogers, a materials science professor at the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign, and Michael E. Gershenson, a physics professor at Rutgers University, has made single-crystal organic transistors using an unusual fabrication method that may allow them to gain a deeper understanding into the basic operation of these devices [Science, 303, 1644 (2004)]. Organic transistors usually are built by depositing components such as electrodes and dielectrics onto an organic material.
by Bethany Halford | March 15, 2004
—Nanotube Detects Enzyme Motion “Researchers track the motions of a single enzyme by attaching it to a carbon nanotube in a field-effect transistor” Enzymes and nanotubes may seem unlikely partners in a molecular two-step. But by tethering lysozyme to the carbon nanotube in a field-effect transistor (FET), scientists are now able to electronically monitor the enzyme’s movements (Science, DOI: 10.1126/science.1214824).
by Bethany Halford | January 23, 2012
Such an application could become more feasible now that researchers have found a way to weave transistors and other components of electronic circuits directly into fabric. The mechanical flexibility, elasticity, and wide range of possible starting materials make organic electronic components a natural fit for making circuits for this purpose. But conventional organic transistors aren't well-suited for use in e-textiles because they require high voltage and demanding operating conditions. Olle Inganäs and colleagues at Linköping University, in Sweden, have created organic transistors that overcome these limitations. The researchers coat textile fibers with a conducting film of poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) and then weave the fibers to create a mesh fabric. Where the fibers intersect, they can be connected with a dot of solid polymer electrolyte to create transistors and build electronic circuits (Nat. Mater., DOI: 10.1038/nmat1884). /articles/85/i15/Fabric-ated-electronics.html 20070409 Concentrates 85 15 /magazine/85/8515.html Fabric-ated electronics con scitech materials Fabric-ated electronics Chemical & Engineering News Fabric-ated electronics Fabric-ated electronics
April 09, 2007
—A healable polymer for stretchable electronics “Intrinsically stretchy semiconductor has promise for wearable sensors and displays” For the first time, researchers have created a stretchy polymer that’s got the right electronic properties to play an active role in transistors. What’s more, the polymer can heal when damaged.
by Katherine Bourzac | November 16, 2016