http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2018/03/180308143118.htm
Date:
March 8, 2018
Source:
University of Chicago
Summary:
Scientists have revealed a technique to 'sew' two patches of crystals seamlessly together at the atomic level to create atomically-thin fabrics. (The smoother the seam between two materials, the more easily electrons flow across it -- essential for how well the electronic devices function.)
Scientists with the University of Chicago revealed a technique to 'sew' two patches of crystals seamlessly together at the atomic level to create atomically-thin fabrics.
Joining different kinds of materials can lead to all kinds of breakthroughs. It's an essential skill that allowed humans to make everything from skyscrapers (by reinforcing concrete with steel) to solar cells (by layering materials to herd along electrons).
In electronics, joining different materials produces heterojunctions -- the most fundamental components in solar cells, LEDs or computer chips. The smoother the seam between two materials, the more easily electrons flow across it; essential for how well the electronic devices function. But they're made up of crystals-rigid lattices of atoms, which may have very different spacing-and they don't take kindly to being mashed together.
The resulting single-layer materials are the most perfectly aligned ever grown, Park said. The gentler transition meant that at the points where the two lattices meet, one lattice stretches or grows to meet the other-instead of leaving holes or other defects.
The discovery opens up some interesting ideas for electronics. Devices like LEDs are currently stacked in layers-3D versus 2D, and are usually on a rigid surface. But Park said the new technique could open up new configurations, like flexible LEDs or atoms-thick 2D circuits that work both horizontally and laterally.
He also noted that the stretching and compressing changed the optical properties-the color-of the crystals due to the quantum mechanical effects. This suggests potential for light sensors and LEDs that could be tuned to different colors, for example, or strain-sensing fabrics that change color as they're stretched.
"This is so unknown that we don't even know all the possibilities it holds yet," Park said. "Even two years ago it would have been unimaginable."
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Flexible LEDs that require no color lens? I'm thinking, with the invention of micro batteries and electronic fabrics, the future of expression is going to be bright and colorful. Think any Tee shirt or hat design as lit up and vibrant.
Plus the industrial benefits of a material that lights up according to the stress its under.
Edited by
Tom4Uhere
on Sat 03/10/18 09:07 AM
