Researchers at Pennsylvania State University have developed the world’s first computer using atomically thin 2D materials, a major leap toward slimmer, faster, and more energy-efficient electronics.
The team successfully built a complementary metal-oxide semiconductor (CMOS) computer without any silicon. Instead, they utilized two different 2D materials, molybdenum disulfide and tungsten diselenide, to create n-type and p-type transistors, respectively. These components are essential for regulating electric current in CMOS circuits, which power nearly all modern electronics.
According to engineering professor and project lead Dr. Saptarshi Das, traditional silicon loses efficiency at nanoscale sizes. In contrast, “Two-dimensional materials maintain their exceptional electronic properties at atomic thickness,” he explained, presenting a promising path forward as devices continue to shrink.
The fabrication process involved metal-organic chemical vapor deposition (MOCVD), where vaporized chemicals are reacted and deposited onto a surface to form ultra-thin sheets of the selected materials. The researchers fabricated more than 1,000 of each transistor type and fine-tuned their threshold voltages, enabling the construction of a functional CMOS logic circuit.
While modest in speed, the prototype performs simple logic operations at up to 25 kilohertz, far below today’s silicon chips, but is a significant proof of concept. “Our 2D CMOS computer operates at low voltages with minimal power consumption,” noted lead author Subir Ghosh, a PhD candidate in engineering science.
This one-instruction-set computer doesn’t aim to compete with current processors, but it lays the foundation for future devices that could be lighter, more flexible, and energy-efficient.
