Could the solar system hold the secret to future microelectronics?
1 min read
A British planetary geologist has made an unexpected discovery that could provide advances in future microelectronics. While exploring expanding ice crystals in the moons of Saturn and Neptune, the scientist, Dr Dominic Fortes of University College London (UCL), discovered methanol crystals in the outer solar system that had expansion properties. He believes they have potential application in future nanoswitches - single atom thick valves used in microelectronics.
Fortes measured structural changes in the methanol crystals over a range of temperatures and pressures. He found that when heated at room pressure they would expand enormously in one direction, while shrinking in the other two dimensions. However, when heated under an even pressure they expanded in two directions, while compressing in the third. This unexpected expansion (elongating and thinning) under uniform pressure is known as negative linear compressibility (NLC).
According to Fortes, the predictable expansion of NLC materials in a particular direction under pressure makes them a good candidate for nanoswitches, where the shape shifting properties can be used like a microscopic, pressure controlled valve directing the flow of electricity. "Although the use of nanoswitches in nanotechnology is still theoretical, the simple structure of methanol monohydrate gives us a good chance to understand the source of this property and how to look for it in other more commercially viable materials," he said.
