SMRTR Science & EngineeringApr 20, 2026Interesting Engineering

Hidden 0.14 nm gap threatens future 2D chips, but ‘zipper materials’ may help

SMRTR summary

TU Wien researchers discovered that a microscopic 0.14-nanometer gap forms between promising 2D chip materials like graphene and their required insulating layers, creating a major obstacle for future semiconductor miniaturization by weakening electrical control in transistors. The team proposes "zipper materials" that bond more tightly to eliminate this gap, suggesting successful 2D chip development requires engineering both layers together rather than focusing on individual materials.

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