An affordable and scalable strategy to fabricate efficient silicon heterojunction solar cells

Silicon heterojunction (SHJ), solar cells based on a heterojunction between semiconductors with different band gaps, are among the most promising photovoltaic technologies. So far, these cells have exhibited remarkable power conversion efficiencies and good operational stabilities. Despite their great potential and notable advantages, SHJ solar cells are typically based on rare and expensive materials, which … Read more

A smart color-changing flexible battery with ultra-high efficiency

With the rapid growth of the smart and wearable electronic devices market, smart next-generation energy storage systems that have energy storage functions as well as additional color-changing properties are receiving a great deal of attention. However, existing electrochromic devices have low electrical conductivity, leading to low efficiency in electron and ion mobility, and low storage … Read more

IBM reports analog AI chip patterned after human brain

Deep neural networks are generating much of the exciting progress stemming from generative AI. But their architecture relies on a configuration that is a virtual speedbump, ensuring the maximal efficiency can not be obtained. Constructed with separate units for memory and processing, neural networks face heavy demands on system resources for communications between the two … Read more

Researchers develop approach that can enable inexpensive mass manufacturing of micro-LED displays

Researchers have demonstrated a continuous roller printing process that can pick up and transfer over 75,000 micrometer-scale semiconductor devices in a single roll with very high accuracy. The new method paves the way to creating large-scale arrays of optical components and could be used to rapidly manufacture micro-LED displays. Micro-LED display technology is of great … Read more

2D metal contacts stop transistor leakage currents in their tracks

Computers, despite all their apparent complexity, are basically just a large number of electronic switches, flicking on and off in the right order to process digital information. Semiconductor technology has made these switches very small and incredibly fast. The semiconducting material gallium nitride holds promise to make them even faster. This is because the charge … Read more

New technology improves power line performance

Associate Professor of the Practice Dmitry Titov and Research Engineer Klim Volkhov from the Energy Center published laboratory results of assessing the possibility of a frequent reason for power outages in Russia—flashovers of high-voltage insulators in overhead power lines. The flashovers of insulator strings result from surface contamination and reduced flashover characteristics of insulators. Apart … Read more

Novel lateral data storage: Two-dimensional ferroelectric semiconductor memory

Traditional memory technologies face limitations in terms of speed, scalability, and power consumption, making them unsuitable for future data-intensive applications. Ferroelectric memory has garnered immense interest in recent years due to its potential for non-volatile storage, enabling data retention even when the power is turned off. The development of two-dimensional (2D) van der Waals material … Read more

Researchers introduce transparent optical imager with near-infrared sensitivity and touchless interface

Most existing devices are operated via the sense of touch, either via touchscreens or mouse, remote controls, keyboards, and other equipment. Some engineers, however, have been trying to introduce alternative interfaces that do not require users to touch anything, as these could be more hygienic. Past studies showed that smartphones, for instance, are often dirtier … Read more

Researchers discover a potential application of unwanted electronic noise in semiconductors

Random Telegraph Noise (RTN), a type of unwanted electronic noise, has long been a nuisance in electronic systems, causing fluctuations and errors in signal processing. However, a team of researchers from the Center for Integrated Nanostructure Physics within the Institute for Basic Science (IBS), South Korea has made an intriguing breakthrough that can potentially harness … Read more

Europe’s strategy to boost its computer chip industry and compete with Asia gets final approval

European Union member states gave final approval Tuesday to the bloc’s master plan to expand semiconductor production, clearing the path for its massive effort to slash reliance on Asia for computer chips vital for everything from washing machines to cars. The European Council’s ministers signed off on the EU’s Chips Act, which will channel 43 … Read more