A new technology that could "give birth" to flexible electronic devices such as smartphones and tablets, developed by British researchers from the University of Surrey.
In collaboration with experts from Dutch Philips laboratories, scientists have further developed the "Source-Gated-Transistor" (SGT) transistor they had developed some time ago. As a first step, they saw that these parts were ideal for computer screens. However, they found that these transistors could be placed, among other things, in digital circuits of the future.
The technology of the future today
Τα τρανζίστορ SGT ελέγχουν την ηλεκτρική τάση, η οποία εισέρχεται στον ημιαγωγό, μειώνοντας έτσι τον κίνδυνο δυσλειτουργίας του κυκλώματος ενώ παράλληλα βελτιώνουν την ενεργειακή του απόδοση. Οι συγκεκριμένες ιδιότητες σε συνδυασμό με το περιορισμένο κόστος παρtreatmentTheir properties, according to experts, make SGTs ideal for placement in devices made of flexible plastic materials or fabrics.
This, they estimate, could translate into "feathery" and flexible devices capable of being... rolled or folded for either easy transport them, either when they are not in use. The new transistors, thanks to their ultrathin design – thinner than a human hair – could even be housed in "smart" plaster, or other devices monitoringof patients' health which will communicate wirelessly with smartphones, doctors and relatives in case of danger. Also, they could be placed in buildings e.g. in earthquake prone areas.
"The technologies these concern ultra-thin plastic surfaces of electronic circuits, similar to a paper glue equipped with high intelligence" explains Dr. Radou Sporea from Institute of Advanced Technology (ATI) of the British university. "So far, the production of such technologies has been relatively limited, restricting them to the lab. With SGT transistors, however, we have demonstrated that we can achieve the coveted features to make these technologies a reality without strengthening their complexity or increasing the cost of their design, "he adds.
The interesting findings of the researchers were presented in the open access "Scientific Reports"Of the publishing group of the" Nature "inspection.
