Chinese and US Researchers Forge Next-Gen Graphene Semiconductor, 10 Times Faster Than Silicon!

In a landmark partnership, Chinese and US researchers created stable semiconductor graphene that outperforms silicon by 10 times and other two-dimensional semiconductors by 20 times. Lead researcher Ma Lei from Tianjin University’s Tianjin International Center for Nanoparticles and Nanosystems (TICNN) called this a dramatic leap from silicon chips to carbon chips.

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A New Era in Semiconductor Technology

The research published by Ma’s team and Georgia Tech School of Physics researchers, ushers in a new semiconductor technology age. devices made of high-quality semiconductor materials are in demand worldwide as silicon-based devices approach two nanometers.

Two-dimensional materials are preferred for their strong integration and electrical transport capabilities. Despite being the first stable two-dimensional material discovered at ambient temperature in 2004, graphene’s “zero bandgap” from Dirac Cones made its semiconductor application difficult.

Ma’s team solved this problem by accurately controlling graphene epitaxial growth, producing a bandgap, and developing a stable semiconductor with electron mobility significantly greater than silicon. This invention enables high-performance electronic devices, changing the semiconductor industry.

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Semiconductor Graphene Breakthrough: Faster Computers and Smaller Electronics

Semiconductor graphene is a major electronics advancement that solves Moore’s Law’s restrictions. The advancement fulfills the growing demand for quicker computers and smaller integrated electronics.

Ma appreciates this breakthrough’s potential but warns that the silicon-to-carbon shift will take time to test, underlining the need for large-scale production. Once industrially generated, single-crystal semiconductor graphene will underpin this transformation.

Despite fierce semiconductor industry competition, especially with the US strengthening export restriction measures, Ma emphasizes healthy competition for technical advancement. He hopes cooperation remains the norm and competition spurs scientific progress. The breakthrough in semiconductor technology and the successful collaboration between Chinese and US research teams demonstrate the potential for breakthroughs when nations work together to achieve technical excellence.

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