GE Develops High Performance Carbon Nanotube Diode

NANO TECH

illustration only

Niskayuna NY (SPX) Jul 08, 2004
GE Global Research, the centralized research organization of the General Electric Company, announced the development of the world's best performing diode built from a carbon nanotube, which will enable smaller and faster electronic devices with increased functionality. The nano-diode is one of the smallest functioning devices ever made.

The GE Nanotechnology Advanced Technology program reported its discovery in the cover story of the July 5, 2004 edition of "Applied Physics Letters."

Diodes are fundamental semiconductor devices that form the basic building blocks of electronic devices, such as transistors, computer chips, sensors, and light emitting diodes (LEDs).

Unlike traditional diodes, GE's carbon nanotube device has the ability for multiple functions - as a diode and two different types of transistors - which should enable it to both emit and detect light.

"Just as silicon transistors replaced old vacuum tube technology and enabled the electronic age, carbon nanotube devices could open a new era of electronics," said Margaret Blohm, GE's advanced technology leader for nanotechnology.

"We are excited about this breakthrough and we're eager to start developing new applications for the GE businesses."

GE's breakthrough device comes very close to the theoretical limits of performance. Measured through the ideal diode equation, developed by Nobel Laureate William Shockley, GE's new diode has an "ideality factor" very close to one, which is the best possible performance for a diode.

One possible application for GE is to use the device to build the next generation of advanced sensors that will have unsurpassed levels of sensitivity.

For example, next generation sensors in security applications could detect potential terrorist threats from chemical and biological hazards, even if they are present in extremely small quantities. This would enable enhanced security at airports, office buildings and other public areas.

The carbon nanotube diode was developed by Dr. Ji-Ung Lee, a scientist who works in the Nanotechnology Advanced Technology Program at the GE Global Research Center in Niskayuna, N.Y.

More research is underway to enhance the carbon nanotube diode and increase the yield in the manufacturing process, but GE nanotechnology researchers believe this breakthrough could enable a range of important new applications in computing, communications, power electronics, and sensors.

NANO TECH

Nanoparticles Stiff From Constant Strain

by Robert Sanders
for Berkeley News
Take something no wider than a human hair and shrink it a thousand fold to a few nanometers across, and its electronic and other properties change radically. But whether the crystal structure of these nanoparticles remains basically the same is a matter scientists continue to debate.

Thanks for being here; We need your help. The SpaceDaily news network continues to grow but revenues have never been harder to maintain. With the rise of Ad Blockers, and Facebook - our traditional revenue sources via quality network advertising continues to decline. And unlike so many other news sites, we don't have a paywall - with those annoying usernames and passwords. Our news coverage takes time and effort to publish 365 days a year. If you find our news sites informative and useful then please consider becoming a regular supporter or for now make a one off contribution.
SpaceDaily Contributor $5 Billed Once credit card or paypal		SpaceDaily Monthly Supporter $5 Billed Monthly paypal only

The content herein, unless otherwise known to be public domain, are Copyright 1995-2016 - Space Media Network. All websites are published in Australia and are solely subject to Australian law and governed by Fair Use principals for news reporting and research purposes. AFP, UPI and IANS news wire stories are copyright Agence France-Presse, United Press International and Indo-Asia News Service. ESA news reports are copyright European Space Agency. All NASA sourced material is public domain. Additional copyrights may apply in whole or part to other bona fide parties. Advertising does not imply endorsement, agreement or approval of any opinions, statements or information provided by Space Media Network on any Web page published or hosted by Space Media Network. Privacy Statement All images and articles appearing on Space Media Network have been edited or digitally altered in some way. Any requests to remove copyright material will be acted upon in a timely and appropriate manner. Any attempt to extort money from Space Media Network will be ignored and reported to Australian Law Enforcement Agencies as a potential case of financial fraud involving the use of a telephonic carriage device or postal service.