The University of Ireland Galway has used nano-pulsed lasers to build 2D semiconductors for low-cost sensors

Ireland's University of Galway is working with the Tyndall National Institute at University College Cork to create two-dimensional semiconductors for low-cost sensors.

The €200,000 project "two-dimensional semiconductor Pulsed Laser Annealing for Nanoelectronics" aims to dramatically improve the scalability, functionality, performance and energy efficiency of electronic devices, while maintaining full compatibility with existing mass production technologies.

The project, co-led by principal investigator Dr Ray Duffy from Tyndall National Institute and Professor Ger O'Connor from the University of Galway, will carry out basic and applied research into novel functional materials suitable for sensors, nano and photoelectric active components - electronics.

Tyndall joins Silicon Catalyst to scale semiconductor start-ups

Tyndall's MagIC has a lasting environmental impact

Irish entrepreneurs support Tyndall Technology Incubator

Applications could include electronically activated sensors in low-cost smart medical devices, as well as better performing and longer-lasting technologies, such as consumer-facing smartphones. The project will focus on the early stages of developing technology to meet these needs.

"The project consortium is built on shared expertise and enthusiastic collaboration among international experts in their complementary scientific fields," said Dr. Ray Duffy, principal investigator and co-leader of the project. "the SFI Frontiers for the Future initiative has enabled us to assemble a multidisciplinary team that will address many of the major challenges of this semiconductor material system and have an impact on real-world nanoelectronics applications. I'm happy and honored to be part of this team.

Professor Ger O'Connor, of the University of Galway, said: "We are really excited to have the opportunity to investigate how extremely short pulses of light, lasting for millionths of a second, are able to precisely reposition atoms in two-dimensional materials with only a single layer of very little thickness, enabling new technology to benefit humanity.

Georgios Fagas, Senior head of the EU Project Team at Tyndall National Research Institute, said: "This is an excellent opportunity to detail our research plans on two-dimensional materials and their applications in future electronic devices. We are delighted to be working with the University of Galway to tackle one of the most challenging problems, the quality of materials when grown using large-scale deposition methods. The project brings together first-class expertise to unlock the application potential of two-dimensional semiconductors.

Source: Laser Net