Graphene 'Big Mac' — One Step Closer To Microchips 50
RogerRoast writes "Scientists at the University of Manchester have come one step closer to creating the next generation of computer chips using graphene. By sandwiching two sheets of graphene with another two-dimensional material, boron nitrate, the team created the graphene 'Big Mac' – a four-layered structure which could be the key to replacing the silicon chip in computers. The research results were published in Nature Physics (abstract; full version paywalled)."
Not boron nitrate. . . (Score:5, Informative)
. . . but boron nitride. I'm also worried by the fact that I knew our summary was wrong without even looking at the abstract.
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Slashdot correctly quoted the University of Manchester article. It used "boron nitrate" repeatedly and only used "boron nitride" in a quote. I don't know what MagusSlurpy is talking about when he mentions the abstract though it doesn't mention either.
I'm far more disappointed that nothing mentions why we would expect this to replace silicon as a semiconductor.
Re:Not boron nitrate. . . (Score:4, Interesting)
Sorry, I meant article, it's not in the abstract. If you don't have a Nature subscription, you can still look at the supplementary info, it mentions BN several times, not BNO3.
As to why we would expect it to replace silicon, it's because the graphene-to-boron nitride transition can be tuned by the application of a current to the graphene "top bun."
I'm not sure that's a good enough reason for it to replace silicon, but it is kind of cool.
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Slashdot correctly quoted the University of Manchester article. It used "boron nitrate" repeatedly and only used "boron nitride" in a quote.
I've just checked; the "nitrate" is present once and "nitride" three times. Looks like a press-office error.
(Disclosure: I work for the same university.)
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. . . but boron nitride.
Nobody ever likes molten Boron.
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Nobody doesn't like molten boron!
True but (Score:2)
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. . . but boron nitride.
Got that? It's night-ride, you boron!
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While in the more comman usage of the term, it would seem that a two-dimensional material cannot exist in space, graphene has a "two-dimensional" atomic structure, making a single atom layer possible. Of course if that thickness isn't zero, it means there are still three dimensions, but it's still a common terminalogy, for whatever reason.
Full paper free on arXiv (Score:5, Informative)
http://arxiv.org/abs/1107.0115 [arxiv.org]
Re: (Score:3, Insightful)
So. When will someone plug a graphene cpu into a motherboard?
The first transistor was invented in 1925. The first integrated circuit was developed in 1958. That's 33 years. The first commercially available microprocessor was available in 1970, that's another 12 years. And you complain because of just seven years?
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The transistor was developed in 1947. If you're going to say that the transistor was invented in 1925 then you should also say that graphene was invented 1962. It wasn't until the late forties that they actually created a transistor just like it wasn't until 7 years ago that graphene was actually created.
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So. When will someone plug a graphene cpu into a motherboard?
When they work out the bits about adding special sauce, lettuce cheese, pickles, onions and sesame seeds. TFSummary is honest enough to say "one step closer."
Graphene-boron neutron shield? (Score:2)
Boron has a large cross section for neutron capture, graphite on the other hand is used as a neutron moderator. Is it possible that graphene-boron nitride is also the optimal neutron shielding material?
No. (Score:5, Interesting)
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Is it possible that graphene-boron nitride is also the optimal neutron shielding material?
No.
Re:Two Dimensional? (Score:5, Informative)
Graphene is referred to as being "two dimensional" because the thickness is typically controlled to one atomic layer thick along the z axis, while it extends infinitely (comparatively) along the x and y axes.
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please note that graphene is (always, not "typically") exactly one atom thick (otherwise it's just a plain chip of graphite). It is because it is exactly one atom thick that it has the interesting properties.
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Big Macs have 5 layers. (Score:2)
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Why can't it be a burger that actually tastes good and probably isn't made out of mealworm - like:
In-n-Out Double-Double
and when they take the next step and double the number of layers:
It can be the Four-by-Four
(for those of you who've never been to an In-n-Out - this isn't on the menu - wear a bib....and gloves)
Kind of disappointed (Score:1)
I was expecting a new, huge Apple product in non-white colors, or some funky flavored McD's sandwich. The article was still pretty cool, though.
How can they get this so wrong? (Score:1)
"...[A] four-layered structure"?!?
Seriously?
Everyone knows a Big Mac has five layers. What they created was a McDouble. Or, if you're in California and parts of Arizona, a Double Double.
low temperature physics (Score:2)
I'm not sure a transistor which relies on low temperature (as in, liquid nitrogen) effects to achieve an off state is actually a viable technology.
Graphene is a wonderful material, but so far the only thing graphene is useful for is an academic research career. We (meaning nano researchers) really need to start being honest with the general media about applications. It's not ok to produce a device to measure a low temperature self-organization effect, then tell the media it's actually a prototype transist