The Research team headed by Prof. Yang Hee-jun, Institute of Basic Science (IBS) in Sungkyunkwan University(SKKU) 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 ℃ is a semi-conductor, but when its heated over 500 ℃ 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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