Scientists are on the threshold of achieving an energy saving breakthrough through the use of Graphene, which, in effect, is a thick sheet of carbon atoms with wonderful electrical properties. Moreover, these super capacitors with faster charging abilities and longer power retention capacities can also be widely used as a replacement for NiH batteries for hybrid autos.
Presently, scientists are trying to replace the silicon chips of the computers with Graphene super capacitors that will draw less energy and produce better cooling effects. Researchers at University of Illinois have already established the “nanocooling effects of Graphene transistors that help in reducing their temperatures”.
The high speed small sized computer chips with self cooling properties could play a major role in saving significant amounts of energy. At present, computers are provided with fans or a steady water flow to cool the heat dissipated by the transistors that draw considerable amount of energy. Moreover, the 1 atom thick Graphene carbon sheets will enable the computer to operate at a higher speed than the silicon chips.
Researches have proved that “imperfections” in Graphene sheets have enhanced their performance going against the norms of perfection and uniformity. After several attempts, a team of scientists have succeeded in producing Graphene sheets with required degree of imperfections that showed better performance in integrated circuit.
The extremely tiny size of the Graphene transistors is the main hurdle for the scientists to go for a mass application. An atomic force microscope tip was required to probe the temperature measurements of a Graphene transistor on nanometer scale. As the scientists are gaining more insight into the energy saving capabilities of Graphene, it will be a matter of few years for a huge turnaround in energy saving through these self cooling nanotransistors.
Via: Treehugger
