A research conducted at the University of York has shown that in a certain type of graphene, electron localisation can be overcome. "Localization" refers to the sudden stop electron come to as they scatter from impurities in the crystal structure, which until now was believed to always happen in 2D materials.
The new method is said to be able to assess the impact of billions of atoms for the first time, and could help pave the way for faster, more efficient devices. Scientists say that it is a "game changer" with implications beyond physics, and could be beneficial in designing new materials, tailoring them for applications in ‘greener’ computing devices.
Regardless of the exact material that will be used in next-gen devices, this method enables scientists to simulate what will happen to electric signals in complex materials. Being able to predict how currents propagate allows building better circuitry and faster processors and could potentially revolutionize computers.