Graphene Microchips

The carbon allotrope Graphene was discovered originally as a component of graphite. It is essentially a two-dimensional sheet of sp2 carbons bonded in an “infinitely aromatic” plane. It was initially extremely hard to separate from graphite but now better “nano” techniques are being used to build sheets of purified graphene.

The graphene carbon sheet has many interesting properties—among which the strength of the macromolecule is most recognized. However, research in 2008 showed that the graphene has very high electron mobility properties and very low resistivity. These characteristics make it a good candidate for a new generation of electronic transistors, microchips, and a vast array of technological innovations.

One of the interesting applications of graphene is being studied at MIT currently. A team of researchers have built a graphene microchip capable of multiplying incoming electrical frequencies of signals in a highly efficient manner previously unachievable. Currently, there is a practical limit on signal frequencies around 4 to 5 gigahertz, but this new graphene transistor technology would multiply this a hundred fold. The high electron mobility and small size (single atom thick) of the material make such technology a possibility in near future, and many more applications and innovations will be sure to follow.

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/03/090324081443.htm
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/03/080324094514.htm