Graphene is 100 stronger than steel and conducts heat/electricity with remarkable efficiency. According to Swedish researchers, it will allow for faster, more efficient and much cheaper manufacturing processes and memory. Large areas of graphene are capable of maintaining electronic spin for a long time and communicating it far more effectively than scientists thought possible. The latest research by Chalmers University of Technology in Gothenburg (Sweden) was published in Nature Communications. The graphene electrons retain their magnetization (pink Arrows), much longer than in other conductors like copper and aluminium. (Image: M Venkata Kamalakar et al) Associate Professor, Saroj Prasad Dash, who led the study, said: “We believe that these results will attract a lot of attention in the research community and put graphene on the map for applications in spintronic components.” Spintronics (word is a blend of: spin-transport-electronics), also known as fluxtronic or spinelectronics, is the study of the intrinsic spin of the electron and its associated magnetic movement, as well as its fundamental electronic charge, in solid-state devices. Spintronics allows the spins to be manipulated not just by magnetic fields, as with older magetoelectronics but also by electric fields. Advanced hard drives use spintronics to store information, and also magnetic RAM (random-access memory). The spin-based information is only required to move a few million of a millimetres. This is fortunate as spin, an electron property, is fragile and very short-lived in many materials. The speed of processors can be accelerated by spintronics. Spintronics uses spin to carry data. The potential for spintronics to make processors more efficient and use less energy could be significant. The researchers think graphene could be used in an expanded use of spintronics within the electronics industry. Super-thin carbon films are not only an excellent electrical conductor but also have the unique ability to keep electrons with their spin intact. Assistant Professor Sarojprasad Dash. Image: Chalmers. Professor Dash stated: “In the future spin-based parts, it is anticipated that electrons can travel many tens to micrometers with spins aligned.” Metals, like copper or aluminium, are not capable of handling this. Graphene seems to be the best material currently.” Graphene is being produced by very few companies using a variety of methods. All of these are still in the early stages of development. This is because graphene can only be obtained in small quantities. Larger amounts of graphene are made using poor quality or other problems that could affect the electronics industry. After their research, chemical vapour deposition graphene (CVD), researchers at Chalmers have questioned this assumption. The CVD graphene is a chemically deposited product. The CVD process can cause graphene to wrinkles and roughness, as well as other problems. However, there are some important advantages. This allows industrial production of graphene. Researchers wrote that CVD graphene could be removed easily from its copper foil substrate and lifted onto silicon wafers, which are the standard materials for semiconductor manufacturing. Venkata Kamalakar Mutta (also at Chalmers) said that this is a promising result. It suggests that spin parameters could be improved in the future as we improve the manufacturing process. It isn’t just about sending data using a new material, substitute semiconductors, or metals with graphene. The goal is to create a completely new method of performing logic operations and storing information. It would end digital technology’s dependence on semiconductors if it succeeds. Prof. Prof. In spintronics, there are no band gaps for switching between one or zero (on and off), and vice versa. Professor. Professor. According to the authors, graphene with its exceptional spin conduction capabilities is likely to be featured in this context. References: M. Venkata Kamalakar and Christiaan Groenveld. Nature Communications. Published 10 April 2015. DOI: 10.1038/ncomms7766. Video – Graphene
Graphene to propel spintronics devices to the next stage
