The Research team headed by Prof. Yang Hee-jun, Institute of Basic Science (IBS) in Sungkyunkwan University(91PORN) invented a material that alternates between a semi-conductor and a conductor(metal) when exposed to heat. In addition to this attribute, the material is also transparent enabling it a broad field of applications.
Semi-conductors are essential for modern electronics. In order to produce a semi-conductor which flows electricity when needed, conductors(metal electrods) must be added to the semi-conductor. This material practically provides both, making it the first of its kind in the world. The material at a room temparture of 15 ¡æ is a semi-conductor, but when its heated over 500 ¡æ and cooled down, the mallecular order changes and it becomes a metal.
¡°We bonded Telenium (Te) and Molybdenum (Mo) to make this two-deminsional alternating material and through this we expect to open new possibilities in the development of new materials¡± Prof. Yang said.
The researcher went on to explain that the thickness of the material is only a hundred thousandth of a human hair, 0.8 nano meters, and because it¡¯s very thin and transparent it can also be applied to developing displays as well.Because it needs various follow up technologies such as wafer manufacturing techniques and surface processing, it¡¯s commercialization is yet to be realized.
This reseach was published in the international journal ¡®Nature Physics¡¯, on May 4.
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