Unexpectedly, a group of scientists have discovered a mineral that can remember. The event surprised scientists, as until now no other material had been able to show that it had some sort of memory.
It all happened by chance, when some members of the electronics research laboratory broadband and energy (POWERlab), conducted a survey using vanadium dioxide (VO2). During the experiment, the phase transition in the aforementioned mineral was tested. The results have been amazing.
The mineral is able to remember the stimuli to which it has been subjected
Vanadium is a widely known mineral, mainly because it has an exceptional ability as a current semiconductor. One of the reasons it is widely used in the electronics industry. But, something happened recently never seen by researchers, because they noticed an atypical behavior of the mineral.
The mineral has been subjected to different heat changes, so that when heated to a temperature below 68 degrees Celsius It served as insulation. The reverse occurs when the heat to which it is subjected exceeds the limit of 68 degrees, because then the atoms that make up the mineral undergo a drastic change.
So much so that it has become a metal with excellent conductivity, all thanks to the fact that vanadium dioxide has the ability to organize its network. Once the temperature is reduced, the mineral changes to its original state, i.e. an insulator.
Illustrative image of vanadium dioxide “remembering” its previous states. Credit: POWERLab, EPFL.
It is exactly This fact has attracted the attention of researchers., which focused on establishing the exact time vanadium might take to change state. It didn’t take long for them to discover something truly amazing right after applying the respective charges of electric current.
No other material has this kind of behavior.
One of the co-authors of this investigative work is the scientist Elison Matioli, who assures that “they did not expect to observe that vanadium dioxide would show behavior similar to the memory effect“.
They came to notice when VO2 has returned to its original phase. Because at that moment he was behaving in a way that made it seem like he remembered the most recent activity he had been subjected to.
The researchers spent at least 3 hours observing how the mineral remembered the first stage of transition, being able to anticipate the next one. In Matioli’s opinion, this performance of vanadium is a product of its physical structure. Experts say there is no other material with this feature.
Possible revolution in the world of computing and electronics!
After verifying that the vanadium can remember well -therefore anticipating different stages- the members of POWERlab, considers it highly probable cause an electronic revolution. How?
Especially increase storage capacity in different electronic devices. Another function that would revolutionize the world of computing concerns data processing, since by implementing vanadium the process would be done much faster.
Vanadium.
THE comments by Mohammad Samizadeh Nikoo, electrical engineer at the Federal Polytechnic School of Lausanne, indicate a change in the use of materials in the near future.
“By using VO2 correctly, the functions of conventional electronics hitherto prevailing could be overcome,” the research says.
In this direction Mohammed, specifically pointed out the areas where vanadium would bring the greatest benefits. For example, power consumption, multi-level memories, higher speed, miniaturization and the possibility of opening the way to metamorphic computing.
A very significant discovery
Single crystal VO2 with polished surface. Credit: Wikimedia Commons.
The repercussions and The benefits vanadium dioxide can bring to electronics are endless.That’s why they consider it a very important discovery.
You might also be interested in: A new mineral has been discovered on the Moon.
However, it is too early to ensure the success of its implementation, because scientists do not have the instruments to accurately measure the full range it has.
At present, POWERlab electrical and electronic engineering experts continue to investigate, not only to VO2, but also to the behavior of different similar minerals. Nature may unexpectedly allow them to discover another pleasant surprise.
The research was published in the scientific journal Natural electronics.
References: EPFL / TechXplore / Science Alert.
A publication of Science of mystery. All rights reserved. – Redistribution and redistribution of this content without prior permission is expressly prohibited. Site protected by Safe Creative.
Thanks for reading us. We invite you to follow us on our Facebook, to be aware of all the news that we publish daily. You can also join our community at Telegram. We are waiting for you!