![]() ![]() "We use non-toxic alloys of gallium (a metal similar to aluminium) as a reaction medium to cover the surface of the liquid metal with atomically thin oxide layers of the added metal rather than the naturally occurring gallium oxide. ![]() "Here we found an extraordinary, yet very simple method to create atomically thin flakes of materials that don't naturally exist as layered structures. Video showing the novel behaviour of liquid metal, part of research by RMIT University in Melbourne, Australia, that is set to revolutionise the way we do chemistry. "But what happens if these materials don't exist naturally? "When you write with a pencil, the graphite leaves very thin flakes called graphene, that can be easily extracted because they are naturally occurring layered structures," said Daeneke. The research is led by Professor Kourosh Kalantar-zadeh and Dr Torben Daeneke from RMIT's School of Engineering, who with students have been experimenting with the method for the last 18 months. Among other things, oxide layers are used to make the touch screens on smart phones. Thinner oxide layers also mean the electronics need less power. The thinner the oxide layer, the faster the electronics are. Once extracted, these oxide layers can be used as transistor components in modern electronics. The researchers dissolve metals in liquid metal to create very thin oxide layers, which previously did not exist as layered structures and which are easily peeled away. The "once-in-a-decade" discovery has been published in Science. ![]() The incredible breakthrough will not only revolutionise the way we do chemistry but could be applied to enhance data storage and make faster electronics. ![]()
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |