Credit: Image courtesy of Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory
Bringing us closer to advanced computer memory, new research using “electron injections” reversibly changes the crystal structure of a 2-D semiconductor. In all materials, the crystal structure determines the electronic properties. The artist’s rendering shows a single atomic layer of molybdenum ditelluride (blue/yellow spheres; MoTe2). This 2-D semiconductor is sandwiched between electrodes and covered by an ionic liquid droplet that stores electrical charge. When a small voltage is applied, electrons are “injected” and the structure is transformed from a “2H” to a more slanted “1T’” arrangement (top).