\n\tResearchers from Stanford University, Stanford, Calif., report that they have developed graphene sheathing material for the copper wires in computer chips. The graphene isolates the copper from the silicon on the chip, and also serve to conduct electricity. The isolating material \u2014 currently tantalum nitride \u2014 keeps the copper from migrating into the silicon transistors and rendering them non-functional. When the Stanford team used the thinnest possible layer of tantalum nitride they found that the industry standard was eight times thicker than the graphene layer that did the same work.<\/p>\n
\n\tThe Stanford experiment showed that graphene could perform this isolating role while also serving as an auxiliary conductor of electrons. Its lattice structure allows electrons to leap from carbon atom to carbon atom straight down the wire, while effectively containing the copper atoms within the copper wire.<\/p>\n
\n\tThese benefits \u2014 the thinness of the graphene layer and its dual role as isolator and auxiliary conductor \u2014 allow this new wire technology to carry more data between transistors, speeding up overall chip performance in the process.<\/p>\n