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Breakthrough in developing graphene for electronics
RESEARCH NEWS
A window that washes itself NANOTECHNOLOGY
Nanotechnology has now produced a coating for windows or solar panels that repels grime and dirt. A group of researchers at Tel Aviv University have just published details of a breakthrough in assembling peptides at the nano-scale level that could make this a mass produced product within just a few years. [Adler-Abramovich et al., nature nanotech., doi:10.1038/ nnano.2009.298] Operating in the range of 100 nanometers the scientists have found a novel way to control the atoms and molecules of peptides so that they “grow” to resemble small forests of grass. These “peptide forests” repel dust and water — a perfect self-cleaning coating for windows or solar panels which, when dirty become less efficient.
Forest of peptides.
As with many great discoveries the original research started out as a possible cure for Alzheimer’s disease. To the scientists surprise, it may also have implications for electric cars, solar energy and construction. Using a variety of peptides, which are as simple and inexpensive to produce, the researchers create their “self-assembled nano-tubules” in a vacuum under high temperatures. These nanotubules can withstand extreme heat and are resistant to water. The lab has already been approached to develop its coating technology commercially. And Prof. Gazit has a contract with drug developer Merck to continue his work on short peptides for the treatment of Alzheimer’s disease — as he had originally foreseen. Jonathan Agbenyega
Breakthrough in developing graphene for electronics CARBON the microelectronics scale of Researchers have produced things). Large size and high graphene to a size and quality quality of our graphene samples where it can be practically enabled very accurate resistance developed for the first time, and measurements, 10000 times more have successfully measured its precise than the best previous electrical characteristics. result for graphene.” Such is the importance of this new It was crucial that a large area of material that it could revolutionize epitaxial graphene demonstrated the future of nanotechnology – it not only structural continuity, is expected that graphene will transform high-speed electronics but also the degree of perfection and photonics, particularly as a required for precise electrical replacement for silicon microchips measurements on par with and touchscreen technology, LCD conventional semiconductors displays and solar cells. Due to its with a much longer development Atomic force microscopy image of epitaxial graphene on silicon carbide by Alex strength and transparency, it is history. Kalaboukhov (Chalmers). ideal for these applications, while There are a number of issues in The research, a collaboration between teams in its conductivity would offer a huge broader technology that have to be the UK, Sweden and Italy, and published in Nature increase in efficiency on existing materials. solved before graphene can challenge the supremacy Nanotechnology (DOI: 10.1038/nnano.2009.474), Up to now, it has only been possible to produce of semiconductors in electronics, such as reliable made two significant breakthroughs: growing graphene graphene – a relatively new form of carbon made up bandgap engineering in epitaxial graphene, control of to a sufficient size to be used in electronics, and of a single layer of atoms arranged in a honeycombcarrier density and material engineering for graphenebeing able to measure its electrical characteristics shaped lattice – in small flakes of tiny fractions of a based devices. with unprecedented precision against an agreed millimeter. The study found that the most remarkable However, the research team now hope to demonstrate international standard. properties of graphene have been discovered in tiny even more precise measurement, and at even higher Team leader, Alexander Tzalenchuk, of the National flakes peeled off using Scotch tape. However, the new temperatures, and are confident that certain graphene Physical Laboratory in the UK, points out that graphene sample was produced epitaxially on silicon elements made by epitaxial growth will be ready for “The measurements showed a unique ‘fingerprint’ carbide, showing that it can be made in a practical, pre-production qualification around 2015. of single layer graphene over a huge area (on scalable way. Laurie Donaldson 10
MARCH 2010 | VOLUME 13 | NUMBER 3
A window that washes itself NANOTECHNOLOGY
Nanotechnology has now produced a coating for windows or solar panels that repels grime and dirt. A group of researchers at Tel Aviv University have just published details of a breakthrough in assembling peptides at the nano-scale level that could make this a mass produced product within just a few years. [Adler-Abramovich et al., nature nanotech., doi:10.1038/ nnano.2009.298] Operating in the range of 100 nanometers the scientists have found a novel way to control the atoms and molecules of peptides so that they “grow” to resemble small forests of grass. These “peptide forests” repel dust and water — a perfect self-cleaning coating for windows or solar panels which, when dirty become less efficient.
Forest of peptides.
As with many great discoveries the original research started out as a possible cure for Alzheimer’s disease. To the scientists surprise, it may also have implications for electric cars, solar energy and construction. Using a variety of peptides, which are as simple and inexpensive to produce, the researchers create their “self-assembled nano-tubules” in a vacuum under high temperatures. These nanotubules can withstand extreme heat and are resistant to water. The lab has already been approached to develop its coating technology commercially. And Prof. Gazit has a contract with drug developer Merck to continue his work on short peptides for the treatment of Alzheimer’s disease — as he had originally foreseen. Jonathan Agbenyega
Breakthrough in developing graphene for electronics CARBON the microelectronics scale of Researchers have produced things). Large size and high graphene to a size and quality quality of our graphene samples where it can be practically enabled very accurate resistance developed for the first time, and measurements, 10000 times more have successfully measured its precise than the best previous electrical characteristics. result for graphene.” Such is the importance of this new It was crucial that a large area of material that it could revolutionize epitaxial graphene demonstrated the future of nanotechnology – it not only structural continuity, is expected that graphene will transform high-speed electronics but also the degree of perfection and photonics, particularly as a required for precise electrical replacement for silicon microchips measurements on par with and touchscreen technology, LCD conventional semiconductors displays and solar cells. Due to its with a much longer development Atomic force microscopy image of epitaxial graphene on silicon carbide by Alex strength and transparency, it is history. Kalaboukhov (Chalmers). ideal for these applications, while There are a number of issues in The research, a collaboration between teams in its conductivity would offer a huge broader technology that have to be the UK, Sweden and Italy, and published in Nature increase in efficiency on existing materials. solved before graphene can challenge the supremacy Nanotechnology (DOI: 10.1038/nnano.2009.474), Up to now, it has only been possible to produce of semiconductors in electronics, such as reliable made two significant breakthroughs: growing graphene graphene – a relatively new form of carbon made up bandgap engineering in epitaxial graphene, control of to a sufficient size to be used in electronics, and of a single layer of atoms arranged in a honeycombcarrier density and material engineering for graphenebeing able to measure its electrical characteristics shaped lattice – in small flakes of tiny fractions of a based devices. with unprecedented precision against an agreed millimeter. The study found that the most remarkable However, the research team now hope to demonstrate international standard. properties of graphene have been discovered in tiny even more precise measurement, and at even higher Team leader, Alexander Tzalenchuk, of the National flakes peeled off using Scotch tape. However, the new temperatures, and are confident that certain graphene Physical Laboratory in the UK, points out that graphene sample was produced epitaxially on silicon elements made by epitaxial growth will be ready for “The measurements showed a unique ‘fingerprint’ carbide, showing that it can be made in a practical, pre-production qualification around 2015. of single layer graphene over a huge area (on scalable way. Laurie Donaldson 10
MARCH 2010 | VOLUME 13 | NUMBER 3