New way of controlling conductivity of materials at the nanoscale

Science Daily  September 16, 2020
Scientists routinely manipulate the flow of electrons to make possible smaller components in computers and mobile phones that use barely any electricity. However, some of the most promising concepts seem mutually exclusive inhibiting the creation of a network. An international team of researchers (Norway, Spain, Switzerland, USA – Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, UK, Finland) has developed a new approach based on exploiting ‘hidden’ irregularities at the atomic level, anti-Frenkel defects. Anti-Frenkel defects can be manipulated in such a way that changes in the conductivity do not affect the actual structure of the material or change its other properties, such as magnetism and ferroelectricity. Maintaining the structural integrity makes it possible to design multifunctional devices using the same material. In this approach researchers can erase components on a nanoscale using a simple heat treatment. It is possible to change or upgrade the components in the material. It may be to use electronic gadgets longer by upgrading them rather than discarding them…read more. TECHNICAL ARTICLE

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