The world of electronics is set to undergo a significant transformation thanks to a groundbreaking technology developed by a research team led by Professor Yong-Young Noh and Dr. Youjin Reo from POSTECH (Pohang University of Science and Technology). In collaboration with Professors Ao Liu and Huihui Zhu from the University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, the team has successfully created a novel p-type semiconducting material that promises to revolutionize next-generation displays and electronic devices.

Transistors, the microscopic components that regulate electric currents in smartphones and other devices, have traditionally been categorized as n-type (electron transport) or p-type (hole transport). While n-type transistors generally demonstrate superior performance, achieving high-speed computing with low power consumption requires comparable efficiency from p-type transistors. To address this challenge, the research team focused on developing a novel p-type semiconducting material.

Tin-based perovskites have emerged as a promising candidate for high-performance p-type transistors. However, traditional solution processes used to fabricate these materials present challenges in scalability and consistent quality. In a significant breakthrough, the team successfully applied thermal evaporation, a process widely used in industries such as OLED TV and semiconducting chip manufacturing, to produce high-quality caesium-tin-iodide (CsSnI3) semiconductor layers.

By adding a small amount of lead chloride (PbCl2), the researchers were able to improve the uniformity and crystallinity of the perovskite thin films. The resulting transistors exhibited outstanding performance, achieving a hole mobility of over 30 cm2/V·s and an on/off current ratio of 108, comparable to commercialized n-type oxide semiconductors.

This innovation not only enhances device stability but also enables the fabrication of large-area device arrays, effectively overcoming two major limitations of previous solution-based methods. Importantly, the technology is compatible with existing manufacturing equipment used in OLED display production, presenting significant potential to reduce costs and streamline fabrication processes.

“This technology opens up exciting possibilities for the commercialization of ultra-thin, flexible, and high-resolution displays in smartphones, TVs, vertically stacked integrated circuits, and even wearable electronics because low processing temperature below 300°C,” said Professor Yong-Young Noh.

This research was supported by the National Research Foundation of Korea (NRF) under the Mid-Career Researcher Program, the National Semiconductor Laboratory Core Technology Development Project, and Samsung Display.

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A team of researchers from Chalmers University of Technology, Sweden, has made a groundbreaking discovery in the field of communication systems. They’ve developed an amplifier that enables the transmission of ten times more data per second than current fiber-optic systems, pushing the boundaries of optical communication. This innovation holds significant potential for critical laser systems used in medical diagnostics and treatment.

The surge in data traffic is expected to double by 2030 due to advancements in AI technology, streaming services, and new smart devices. To manage this vast amount of information, high-capacity communication systems are required. Optical communication systems utilize light to transmit information over long distances through laser pulses traveling at high speeds through optical fibers.

Optical amplifiers are essential to ensure data quality and prevent noise. The data transmission capacity of an optical communication system is largely determined by the amplifier’s bandwidth – the range of light wavelengths it can handle. Current amplifiers have a bandwidth of approximately 30 nanometers, whereas the new amplifier boasts a whopping 300 nanometers.

“This key innovation increases bandwidth tenfold while reducing noise more effectively than any other type of amplifier,” explains Peter Andrekson, Professor of Photonics at Chalmers and lead author of the study. “This capability allows it to amplify very weak signals, such as those used in space communication.”

The new amplifier is made of silicon nitride and features several small, spiral-shaped, interconnected waveguides that efficiently direct light with minimal loss. By combining this material with an optimized geometric design, several technical advantages have been achieved.

Researchers have successfully miniaturized the system to fit on a chip just a few centimeters in size. While building amplifiers on small chips is not new, this is the first instance of achieving such a large bandwidth.

The researchers have integrated multiple amplifiers onto the chip, allowing the concept to be easily scaled up as needed. Since optical amplifiers are crucial components in all lasers, the Chalmers researchers’ design can be used to develop laser systems capable of rapidly changing wavelengths over a wide range. This innovation opens up numerous applications in society.

“Minor adjustments to the design would enable the amplification of visible and infrared light as well,” says Peter Andrekson. “This means the amplifier could be utilized in laser systems for medical diagnostics, analysis, and treatment. A large bandwidth allows for more precise analyses and imaging of tissues and organs, facilitating earlier detection of diseases.”

In addition to its broad application potential, the amplifier can also help make laser systems smaller and more affordable.

“This amplifier offers a scalable solution for lasers, enabling them to operate at various wavelengths while being more cost-effective, compact, and energy efficient,” explains Peter Andrekson. “Consequently, a single laser system based on this amplifier could be utilized across multiple fields.”

The researchers have demonstrated that the amplifier functions effectively within the optical communication spectrum, ranging from 1400 to 1700 nanometers. With its extensive bandwidth of 300 nanometers, the amplifier can potentially be adapted for use at other wavelengths.

By modifying the waveguide design, it is possible to amplify signals in other ranges, such as visible light (400 — 700 nanometers) and infrared light (2000 — 4000 nanometers). Consequently, in the long term, the amplifier could be utilized in fields where visible or infrared light is essential, such as disease diagnosis, treatments, visualisation of internal organs and tissues, and surgical operations.

The study was funded by the Swedish Research Council and the Knut and Alice Wallenberg Foundation.

The article discusses a groundbreaking innovation in the field of e-skins, which are artificial skins that mimic the properties of real human skin. A team of researchers at the Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf (HZDR) has developed an electronic skin that can detect and precisely track magnetic fields with a single global sensor, making it lighter, more flexible, and smarter than previous technologies.

The new e-skin is designed to be permeable to air and moisture, allowing real skin underneath to breathe. It features a magnetosensitive functional layer that acts as a global sensor surface, which can accurately localize the origin of magnetic signals. This technology is inspired by the human brain’s ability to process sensory information from various parts of the body.

The researchers achieved this innovation by using tomography, a method also used in medical MRI or CT scans, to reconstruct the position of a signal from a large number of individual images. This technology was previously considered too insensitive for use with conventional magnetosensitive materials.

This revolutionary e-skin has numerous potential applications, including:

* Interacting with virtual reality technology through contact lenses
* Operating smartphones under water or in extreme environments
* Recognizing digital patterns written by a magnetic stylus
* Detecting movements in complex environments using robotic systems

The researchers emphasize that the new e-skin is not only a technological innovation but also has the potential to transform our interaction with the world, enabling seamless communication between humans and machines.