Exeter researchers come up with possible ITO replacement

Exeter researchers come up with possible ITO replacement

MANHASSET, NY--A research team from the University of Exeter has placed its stamp on its unique version of a transparent, lightweight, and flexible graphene material.

To create what they call GraphExeter, the Exeter team sandwiched molecules of ferric chloride between two layers of graphene. Ferric chloride enhances the electrical conductivity of graphene, without affecting the material’s transparency.

GraphExeter is said to be much more flexible than indium tin oxide, the main conductive material currently used in electronics. Industry observers predict that the increasingly expensive ITO is expected to run out in 2017.

The researchers claim that today there is no viable alternative to ITO.

The researchers who work at the University of Exeter’s Centre for Graphene Science are now developing a spray-on version of GraphExeter, which could be applied straight onto fabrics, mirrors, and windows.

“GraphExeter could revolutionize the electronics industry. It outperforms any other carbon-based transparent conductor used in electronics and could be used for a range of applications, from solar panels to ‘smart’ T-shirts,” said lead researcher Monica Craciun, in a statement. The material’s commercial prospects can only be speculated.

The details of the research can be found here.

This story was originally posted by EE Times.
TAG: