First Transistors Made Entirely Of 2-D Materials

Two independent research groups report the first transistors built entirely of two-dimensional electronic materials, making the devices some of the thinnest yet. The transistors, just a few atoms thick and hence transparent, could lead to bright, high-resolution displays that are power-efficient and bendable.

Both groups’ devices signal important progress, says Deji Akinwande, an electrical engineer at the University of Texas, Austin, who was not involved in either study. “Flexible and transparent transistors are important for future flexible smart devices,” he says.

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“A two-dimensional transistor built on a silicon wafer (Si/SiO2) uses graphene for the source (S), drain (D), and gate (G) electrodes; molybdenum disulfide (MoS2) for the semiconductor layer; and hexagonal boron nitride (h-BN) as the insulator.”

It’s only a few atoms thick, but the current does need to move perpendicular to the surface.