Scientists make a discovery that could make our devices 1,000 times faster

Many advances are being made in the world of science, improving space research as well as our everyday comfort. And one discovery could make our everyday devices 1,000 times more faster than they are today. 

A team of researchers at Northeastern University is behind this breakthrough, paving the way for new advances and new generations of faster and more efficient devices. To achieve this, the scientists used a method called thermal quenching.

This process involves heating a material and then cooling it instantly. By doing this, its internal electronic structure is modified until it reaches the desired state, whether metallic or insulating. But beware, this is not something that anyone can do. Indeed, the right temperature must be combined with the right exposure time. If successful, this method is reversible, meaning that the material can return to its initial state without suffering any degradation. 

Regarding this discovery, 1T-TaS₂ was used, a quantum material sensitive to light, pressure, and temperature, known to scientists for its diverse electronic behaviors and possessing properties that cannot be explained by classical physics. Using the thermal quenching technique, exposing it to light and room temperature, the researchers were able to induce a hidden metallic state that remained stable for several months.

According to Gregory Fiete, this scientific breakthrough is unique and could eliminate the need for interfaces between different materials, which could greatly simplify the manufacture of electronic components and, consequently, many everyday devices. Of course, further experiments and studies will be necessary to develop reliable and stable materials.

But this discovery represents a giant leap forward in this field and could revolutionize the world in the coming years by enabling faster manufacturing of electronic components. Not to mention that these materials are also at the heart of much research aimed at improving the devices we will have in the future, such as quantum computers.