Hi-tech Tape

Physicists have induced high-temperature superconductivity in a semiconductor for the first time, using double-sided tape. High temperature superconductors can transfer electricity with zero resistance at −135°C unlike normal superconductors which do so at −243.2°C. But extremely low temperature requirement limits their use. These materials can transfer their properties to semiconductors—like silicon chips in computers—even at room temperature if the two are joined together.

This was not possible till date due to differences in the structure of the two materials. Researchers found that simply sticking the two together with a scotch tape can induce superconductivity in semiconductors. The study paves the way for development of next-generation computers.

 

Source

Down To Earth, October 2012