Electronics

Researchers from the University of Vienna and Technical University of Vienna have used a unique technique to significantly enhance the stretchability of graphene for the first time by creating an accordion-like ripple effect. This achievement could open up new possibilities for applications that require specific levels of stretchability, such as wearable electronics. 

Graphene is notable for its high electrical conductivity but tends to be extremely stiff, as its atoms are arranged in a honeycomb pattern that contributes to this stiffness. It makes sense that removing some atoms from the material along with their bonds would result in reduced stiffness. Scientific research, however, has documented both a modest decline and a notable rise. Scientists have now resolved these contradictions with new measurements. Modern devices were used in the experiments and housed in the same ultra-clean, airless environment. As a result, samples can be moved between the various devices without contacting outside air.

Scientists from three UK universities have been granted £6 million to develop single-atomic layer semiconductors under a program called NEED2D (“Enabling Net Zero and the AI Revolution with Ultra-Low Energy 2D Materials and Devices”). 

The materials to be developed include graphene and related compounds. The goal is achieving energy efficient, atomically-thin semiconductors to dramatically reduce the electricity demand from AI data centers and high-performance computing.

Inventor Anthony Paul Bellezza, owner of Bellezza Technologies, has pioneered a novel 2D graphene fusion process for semiconductor assembly, operating at low temperatures, which may hold great potential for CMOS chip manufacturing. This innovative process addresses the longstanding challenge of integrating graphene into circuits.

On his innovative graphene fusion process, Belleza said: "My method enables the utilization of 2D graphene as an interconnect material in semiconductor circuits, forming a low-resistance, metallurgical bond with the substrate. This advancement will lead to the production of faster and more efficient computers by replacing traditional copper circuits, which are approaching their physical limitations".

Researchers from Peking University, Beijing Graphene Institute, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences and the University of Manchester have developed a new method to integrate 2D semiconductors with dielectric materials. Their approach involves the epitaxial growth of an ultra-thin dielectric film on a graphene-covered copper surface, which subsequently enables its transfer onto various substrates with minimal defects. 

The new method addresses the challenges in integrating 2D materials(like graphene) into microelectronic devices. As conventional transfer methods that use polymer supports often introduce chemical contamination, various mechanical issues and interfacial defects, the team set out to develop a wafer-scale process that overcomes these issues, by preserving graphene's intrinsic properties and ensuring a clean, well-controlled interface during transfer and encapsulation.

2D Generation has entered into a strategic partnership with Tel Aviv University’s Jan Koum Centre for Nanoscience and Nanotechnology (TAU Nano Centre) to accelerate the development of its graphene-based interconnect technologies. 

TAU Nano Centre is a leading research facility driving innovation in nanofabrication, microelectro-mechanical systems, nanomaterials and semiconductors using state-of-the-art tools and a world-class team of scientists and engineers. It houses an 800-square-metre cleanroom, advanced imaging tools and more than 40 fabrication instruments to provide a world-class environment for academic and industrial research. 

Researchers from Guangdong Technion − Israel Institute of Technology have developed printable graphene inks with low-surface-tension solvents and mild-temperature post-processing using polypropylene carbonate (PPC). 

a, b Illustrations of liquid-phase exfoliation (LPE) of graphene from graphite using PPC as a dispersant aid. c Photograph of graphene/PPC isolated as a powder from the liquid medium after LPE. d Photograph of a graphene ink formulated by redispersing the graphene/PPC powder. e Photograph of graphene micro-supercapacitor (MSC) electrodes deposited on paper with the graphene ink by aerosol jet printing. Image from: Communications Materials

In this work, graphene is produced by liquid-phase exfoliation with PPC, and the exfoliated graphene/PPC is used to generate printable inks. As a dispersant aid, PPC improves graphene exfoliation, dispersion stability, and redispersability in solvents with low surface tensions (<30 mJ m^–2), facilitating the formulation of desirable inks for efficient aerosol jet printing on diverse substrates. 

Researchers from Graz University of Technology, University of Florence,  Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia and Scuola Superiore Sant'Anna have demonstrated an innovative process that enables certain common dyes - found in standard marker pens - to be converted into laser-induced graphene (LIG).

The study focused on Eosin Y, a widely used xanthene dye, which exhibited excellent stability and structural properties ideal for laser conversion. While most existing LIG production relies on polymer precursors such as polyimide, this research shows that non-polymeric materials like dyes and inks can also serve as effective precursors. 

Researchers from the University of Calgary, University of British Columbia, University of Waterloo and Aalto University recently developed an all-graphene water-based ink for 3D printing via direct ink writing, which the team considers first of its kind. The ink could unlock new possibilities for addressing environmental challenges, such as eliminating invisible electromagnetic pollution from our surroundings.

The eco-friendly graphene ink enables applications in various fields, including electromagnetic interference (EMI) shielding, electronics, and environmental protection while providing a scalable solution for next-generation 3D-printed technologies.

Researchers at the Swiss École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL) and National Institute for Materials Science in Japan have developed a new technique to directly measure energy gaps and bandwidths in multilayer graphene systems, paving the way for deeper insights into exotic quantum states and future electronic devices.

When layers of graphene are stacked on top of each other and slightly rotated, the atomic lattices create a periodic interference pattern known as a moiré pattern. This pattern significantly changes the electronic behavior of the material, sometimes leading to exotic quantum phenomena like superconductivity and magnetism. However, directly probing the fine details of these quantum states has been a challenge. Understanding how electrons behave in these stacked graphene systems is crucial for designing future electronic and quantum devices. But conventional techniques struggle to precisely measure energy gaps and bandwidth—the parameters that dictate how electrons move and interact in these systems. Without a reliable method to extract this data, researchers have been piecing together the puzzle through indirect observations.

SCALE Nanotech, an advanced R&D company based in Estonia, has announced the launch of its spinout Dragon Elements in Spain, aiming to enter into the XR and wearable electronics sector. Dragon Elements is set to commercialize LATIDO® capsules, a graphene-based technology designed to "redefine human interaction with hardware by eliminating the need for traditional audio and video components", as per the Company.

LATIDO® aims to mark a "radical shift in audiovisual hardware". Unlike conventional technology that requires separate components for sound and vision, LATIDO® harnesses millions of graphene membranes to seamlessly control both light and sound within a single monolithic device, removing the need for separate screens or speakers.