Snappy newsletters. Simple Facebook sharing. Spirited comments. Sweet features are waiting… GET THEM NOW!

Hot on Facebook
Uproar After NC State Agent 'Fixes' Girl's Lunch Preschooler has to eat chicken nuggets instead of mom's meal »

Transistors May Migrate to Paper

Circuit-carrying cellulose undercuts silicon on price

By Wesley Oliver,  Newser Staff

Posted Oct 20, 2008 1:49 AM CDT
Email

(Newser) – The future of electronics may be etched on paper, reports the Economist. Researchers have found a cheaper, easier way to make transistors using cellulose, paper’s key ingredient. Paper could soon replace silicon as a surface on which to mount transistors, which control the flow of electric currents and power most gadgets.

Traditionally, transistors are linked on silicon chips to form “logic gates.” But cellulose-based transistors could be used to cheaply tag items such food labels, banknotes and postage stamps. Paper transistors won’t replace the silicon chips in computer microprocessors until they can be miniaturized.

When linked together on the surfaces of silicon chips, transistors form the logic gates that do the calculations in computers, mobile phones and TV sets.
When linked together on the surfaces of silicon chips, transistors form the "logic gates" that do the calculations in computers, mobile phones and TV sets.   (AP Photo)
A scientist holds a thinned wafer of silicon computer circuits ready for bonding to another circuit wafer.
A scientist holds a thinned wafer of silicon computer circuits ready for bonding to another circuit wafer.   (AP Photo/IBM)
The silicon in a transistor performs as a semiconductor when doped with small amounts of other elements and can be penetrated by an electric field, but not an electric current.
The silicon in a transistor performs as a semiconductor when doped with small amounts of other elements and can be penetrated by an electric field, but not an electric current.   (Shutter Stock)
The cellulose approach allows transistors to be both flexible and cheap. They can be made at room temperature, unlike a silicon chip, and paper is a lot less pricey than electronics-grade silicon.
The cellulose approach allows transistors to be both flexible and cheap. They can be made at room temperature, unlike a silicon chip, and paper is a lot less pricey than electronics-grade silicon.   (Shutter Stock)
« Prev« Prev | Next »Next » Slideshow
To report an error on this story, notify our editors.
A snapshot of the day's best news stories.
 
COMMENTS
Be the first to comment on this story.

How the transistor helped change the world
TechRadar.com

Ditch silicon, opt for carbon
CNN

 
electronics • cellulose • semiconductor • microprocessors • transistor • silicon chip • paper

More Newser Stories

Apple Builds New Team of Chip Gurus

World's Smallest Transistor Sets Path to Better Chips

Etch-A-Sketch Newest Chip Design Tool

Could the Silicon Chip Max Out?

Semiconductor Sales Rise While Prices Fall
NEWS FROM OUR PARTNERS
Other Sites We Like:   24/7 Wall St.   |   Betty Confidential   |   BuzzFeed   |   Cracked   |   Fark   |   Timelines   |   The Frisky   |   Geek Sugar   |   NewsOne