Nanotechnology Spotlight – Latest Articles

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MXene with its X factor may help downscaling 2D transistors

transistorResearchers show how MXenes' rich chemistry can be used to create doping-free 2D transistors with intrinsically low resistive contacts while maintaining balance mode operation. With a suitable functional termination, MXenes can become a semiconductor or a metal with a different work function. The researchers exploit this unique property of MXene to propose a Schottky barrier transistor, which can be implemented with a bare MXene by converting it to a semiconductor in the channel region with strategic functionalization.

Sep 27th, 2022

Self-powered bioelectronic face mask measures glucose levels

face_maskNew research describes the first example of self-powered bioelectronics on a mask that can measure the biological glucose signal with continuous energy. In their work, the researchers demonstrate a 3-in-1 mask device that can 1) harvest energy (a biofuel cell); 2) store energy (a supercapacitor); and 3) indicate glucose concentration (a biosensor). The small biofuel cells can harvest energy from the sweat on a person's face and indicate the level of the analyte that tracks health and nutrition.

Sep 19th, 2022

A memristive forming strategy for lowering the contact resistances of two-dimensional semiconductors

Two-dimensional (2D) semiconductors, like transition-metal dichalcogenides, have become a competitive alternative to traditional semiconducting materials in the post-Moore era, and caused worldwide interest. However, before they can be used in practical applications, some key obstacles must be resolved. One of them is the large electrical contact resistances at the metal-semiconductor interfaces. Researchers have proposed a brand-new contact resistance lowering strategy of 2D semiconductors with a good feasibility, a wide generality and a high stability.

Sep 5th, 2022

Van der Waals infrared photodetectors based on 'optical' and 'electrical' combined manipulations

photodetectorBlackbody response is highly desired in two-dimensional (2D) infrared photodetectors, which determines their practical applications. However, limited by the thickness and complex defects of 2D materials, 2D photodetectors still suffer from problems such as low quantum efficiency and large dark current. Researchers now demonstrate fully depleted self-aligned van der Waals (vdW) photodetectors based on a heterosandwiched structure.

Sep 2nd, 2022

Scientists create a heterostructure of diversely behaving atomic layers within a single bulk material

crystal-structureResearchers have developed a new method to create interlayered bulk materials, comprising atomically-thin layers with highly diverse electronic properties - from insulating to superconducting. The atomistic quantum mechanical simulations and electron microscopy imaging illuminate the origin of this spectacularly diverse behavior between adjacent layers of a single material. Its alternating layered structure makes this material a true 2D superconductor in bulk form and opens a plethora of intriguing questions related to the effect of interlayer coupling on the superconducting behavior.

Aug 30th, 2022

Harvesting energy - drop by drop

dropletsRain can be considered as prolific a sustainable energy source like energy scavenging from solar or wind. Consequently, droplet-driven energy harvesting devices - which offer a simple structure with low-cost materials requirements - have received considerable attention from the global research community. A recent review comprehensively discusses various methods for harvesting water droplets with their future potential for different applications.

Aug 25th, 2022

How nanotechnologies are shaping the future of warfare

Throughout human history, technological progress has been inseparably intertwined with advances in military weaponry. Through the ages we can see how new inventions revolutionized both the living standards of society and the advancement of warfare technology. Today, the rapid emergence and confluence of nanotechnologies, biotechnologies and information technologies in the past two decades is having a huge impact on the development of military technologies.

Aug 23rd, 2022

In-memory mathematical operations with spin-orbit torque devices

photographerResearchers introduce spin orbit torque (SOT) devices to experimentally realize in-memory analogue mathematical operations such as summation, subtraction and four-quadrant multiplication, to implement general-purpose applications such as image or signal processing for edge computing. In addition to nonvolatility and scalability, the CMOS-compatible SOT technique further possesses low energy consumption, high speed and endurance. Therefore, SOT devices offer an avenue for dense in-memory analogue computing paradigms.

Aug 16th, 2022