What is flexible electronics – a big step in the study of heterostructures
A new, modern trend in electronics are flexible devices. They are much smaller and more durable in many ways compared to traditional ones. Continuous research in this area allows the dynamic development of flexible electronics materials and applications.
Dr. Neil Wilson from the Department of Physics at University of Warwick, UK, as the first person he developed a measurement technique of semiconductor stacks of two-dimensional materials called heterostructures characterized by e.g. very good conductive properties and durability. This technique measures the electrical properties of each layer of the stack allowing to establish a proper structure that will ensure the high quality of the flow of the electricity. In order to measure the momentum of electrons and its changes in each layer the photoelectric effect is used.
Heterostuctures are used in process of creation of high-performance optoelectronic devices with ultra-fast electrical charge. Therefore they may be used in the circuits of nanometric scale. They are also stronger than traditional materials used in the typical systems. Various 2D material forms other heterostructures with differing properties.
A better understanding of heterostructures is going to create new ways of development of modern flexible electronics and various gadgets. So far the use of solar energy can also be revolutionized thanks to the existence of heterostructures. Their atomic-thin layers have a high absorption value, efficient power conversion with a minimal amount of photovoltaic material.
In developing the above technique also helped other researchers from the University of Warwick, University of Cambridge, the University of Washington in Seattle, and the Elettra Light Source from Italy all of this institutions have their influence for flexible electronics market. This is first article of series about flexible electronics, it will be flexible electronics journal on our site.
Source: Warwick University, UK