ADVANCED MATERIALS & PROCESSES | OCTOBER 2023 7 helps to minimize energy losses due to undesired molecular vibrations and to optimize the luminescent and catalytic properties. Encased in its rigid organic framework, chromium proves to be much more reactive than noble metals when exposed to light. This paves the way for photochemical reactions that are otherwise difficult to initiate. In the future, the group aims to develop their materials on a larger scale to allow broader testing of potential applications. They also want to further optimize the catalytic properties to advance toward the goal of converting sunlight into chemical energy for storage—as in photosynthesis. www.unibas.ch/en. NEXT-GEN SEMICONDUCTOR MATERIAL For the first time, a team of researchers from the University of Minnesota Twin Cities created a thin film of a unique topological semimetal material that has the potential to generate more computing power and memory storage while using significantly less energy. As evidenced by the United States’ recent CHIPS and Science Act, there is a growing need to increase semiconductor manufacturing and support research that goes into developing more efficient materials that power electronic devices everywhere. A class of quantum materials called topological semimetals is one such candidate for use in new and improved computer chips. The electron behavior in these materials contributes to properties that typical insulators and metals used in electronic devices do not have. They’re being explored for use in spintronic devices, an alternative to traditional semiconductor devices that leverage the spin of electrons rather than the electrical charge to store data and process information. The University of Minnesota researchers were able to successfully synthesize such a material as a thin film—and prove that it has the potential for high performance with low energy consumption. The researchers are the first to use a patented, industrycompatible sputtering process to create this semimetal in a thin film format. Because their process is industry compatible, the team says, the technology can be more easily adopted and used for manufacturing real-world devices. twin-cities.umn.edu. In response to the CHIPS and Science Act, new materials are being explored for use in the electronic chip industry. AM&P TECHNICAL ARTICLES NOW AVAILABLE IN THE ASM DIGITAL LIBRARY! Advanced Materials & Processes (AM&P) is the flagship magazine from ASM International. AM&P technical articles cover leading-edge developments in materials selection, processing, applications, and characterization, as well as emerging technologies of interest to engineers and scientists. Now, a collection of all of the technical articles plus ASM News sections from the past ten years of AM&P are available in the ASM Digital Library, making it easier than ever to discover and link to in-depth articles on materials technologies. ASM members get full free access. Learn more: dl.asminternational.org/amp-tech
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