Using 2D materials which are atomically thin, researchers at Pennsylvania State University have created the first computer in history, marking a significant advancement in electronics that are quicker, smaller, and use less energy.
Without using any silicon, the group was able to construct a complementary metal-oxide semiconductor (CMOS) computer.
However, n-type and p-type transistors were developed with two completely different 2D materials for computer known as molybdenum disulfide and tungsten diselenide which are atomically thin. In CMOS circuits, which power almost all contemporary devices, these parts are crucial for controlling electric current.
Dr. Saptarshi Das, a project head and engineering professor, claims that conventional silicon becomes less effective at nanoscale scales. On the other hand, he clarified, “Two-dimensional materials maintain their exceptional electronic properties at atomic thickness,” offering a potential future direction as devices continue to get smaller.
Metal-organic chemical vapor deposition (MOCVD), in which vaporized chemicals react and are deposited onto a surface to create ultra-thin sheets of the chosen materials, was used in the fabrication process.
In order to create a working CMOS logic circuit, the researchers manufactured more than1,000 of each type of transistor and adjusted their threshold voltages.
Despite its modest speed, the prototype is a crucial proof of concept since it can do basic logic operations at up to 25 kilohertz, which is significantly slower than modern silicon chips.
Lead author Subir Ghosh, a PhD candidate for engineering science said:
“Our 2D CMOS computer uses very little power and runs at low voltages,”
Although it doesn’t intend to compete with existing processors, this one-instruction-set computer sets the stage for potentially lighter, more flexible, and energy-efficient systems in the future.
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