Transistor Magic: Achieving Precision Heat Dynamics At ±2.5V
Unlocking a new era in materials science, engineers have achieved precision control over heat flow through a groundbreaking nano-scale device in material science. The voltage-flow curve, resembling a near-linear path, has demonstrated successful operation at 1MHz.
Engineering professor Yongjie Hu, a key figure in this material science advancement, expressed the significance. He stated, “Precision control of heat flow has been a longstanding dream for physicists and engineers. This design marks a significant leap, managing heat movement through on-off switching of an electric field, akin to electrical transistors.”
Constructed on a nano-scale, the device begins with an atomically-flat gold coating on a substrate.
A self-assembling mono-layer of ‘carboranethiol cage’ molecules follows, creating multifaceted cages standing on the gold surface.
A single leg attaches these cages, connecting them through a sulfur atom. Atop this structure lies a sheet of single-layer graphene, positioned approximately 1nm above the gold surface. The cage molecules (9-SH-o-C2B10H11 (O9)) support it.
The operational magic occurs through a potential bias applied between the gold surface and a top contact above the graphene. This electric control field influences the covalent bond between sulphur and gold atoms, altering local thermal conductivity.
A similar effect takes place at the graphene interface, driven by Van der Waals attraction.
The device showcases a remarkable conductivity range, fluctuating from below 10MW/m2/K to above 130MW/m2/K. This breakthrough promises revolutionary applications in heat management. It brings us closer to achieving the elusive goal of precise control over heat flow in materials.
For operational details, refer to ‘Electrically gated molecular thermal switch,’ published in Science (abstract available without payment).
