NEC Succeeds in Fabrication of CNT Transistor Using Coating Process; Confirms Feasibility of Environmentally Friendly Electronic Devices Using CNTs
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Tokyo, Japan, Feb 13, 2008 - NEC Corporation today announced the successful development of a carbon nanotube (CNT) transistor using a coating process. The basic operation of the new transistor with advanced characteristics has been verified, confirming its application in the printed electronics field.
Main features of the new CNT transistors
(1) Based on an NEC device model, design guidelines were established to verify the relationship between transistor characteristics and the length and density of the CNT when the CNT channel* is created and to increase CNT transistor performance.
(2) A channel coating-process technology, capable of accurately controlling the density of the CNT, was also developed. CNT transistors were produced based on the new design guidelines and technology. Despite performance variation, extremely high mobility - the speed at which electrons move in the material - for a transistor manufactured using this type of coating process was achieved.
The demand for electronics has rapidly increased in recent years along with environmental concern. This has brought about the need for more advanced electronic products that simultaneously achieve reduced environmental impact.
Organic transistors and other printed electronics are one potential solution to this problem. Printed electronics' technologies are unique in that they allow transistors to be formed by printing directly onto the substrate. This means that manufacturing processes can be dramatically simplified in comparison to conventional semiconductors; waste materials generated through manufacturing processes can be reduced, and CO2 emissions can be reduced by more than 90%.
The channel materials of conventional research organic transistors generally demonstrate little mobility and are therefore considered unsuitable for electronic devices with high-speed operation. The basic operations for a transistor formed using this coating process were confirmed for the newly developed CNT transistor, which adopts CNTs as its channel material to allow 100 times greater mobility than regular organic transistors. The research results prove the potential of CNTs as a core transistor material, even in the field of printed electronics. Further research is expected to show the potential to dramatically expand the scope of printed electronics applications.
NEC views the new CNT transistor technology as key to the development of electronic devices with minimal environmental impact, and will continue to proactively conduct research in this area to realize environmentally-sound products.
The results of this research will be presented at "nano tech 2008 International Nanotechnology Exhibition & Conference" being held at Tokyo Big Sight from February 13 to 15.
*Channel: The part of a transistor that connects the electrodes. The faster the electrons move in the channel, the faster the electronic device can operate.
NEC Corporation
NEC Corporation (TSE: 6701) is one of the world's leading providers of Internet, broadband network and enterprise business solutions dedicated to meeting the specialized needs of its diverse and global base of customers. NEC delivers tailored solutions in the key fields of computer, networking and electron devices, by integrating its technical strengths in IT and Networks, and by providing advanced semiconductor solutions through NEC Electronics Corporation. The NEC Group employs more than 150,000 people worldwide. For additional information, please visit the NEC home page at: www.nec.com
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Diane Foley
NEC Corporation
d-foley@ax.jp.nec.com
+81-3-3798-6511
Source NEC Corporation(ZOBEX: NECA) (TSE: 6701) (LSE: NECA) (NASDAQ: NIPNY)
www.nec.com
