Organic electronics nowadays are used primarily for commercial applications. However, various scientists are taking a great interest in it. Similarly, field effect organic thermoelectric transistor is their point of interest. In the last four decades, substantial advances have been made to develop organic field effect transistors. In particular, they are the new class of electro-optical devices.
Likewise, scientists from the Linköping University have created a thermoelectric transistor. In this transistor, a rise of single-degree temperature is sufficient for a detectable current modulation.
Generally, transistors are controlled by an electric signal. But this new transistor is controlled by heat signal. Thus, it is called the heat-driven thermoelectric transistor. The most amazing fact is that this new transistor is reported as the world’s first heat-driven thermoelectric transistor.
Scientists Developed the World’s Smallest Transistor
Professor Xavier Crispin said, “We are the first in the world to present a logic circuit, in this case, a transistor, that is controlled by a heat signal instead of an electrical signal.“
It has a high sensitivity to heat- 100 times greater than traditional thermoelectric materials. That means a single connector from the heat-sensitive electrolyte, which acts as a sensor, is sufficient for the transistor circuit. A sensor can also be added to the transistor to produce a bright pixel. This smart pixel can then detect infrared radiation in heat cameras.
Scientists created this heat-driven thermoelectric transistor based on research that causes the production of a supercapacitor charged by the sun’s rays. This research was conducted a year ago. Heat is converted to electricity in the capacitor, which is stored until needed.
Scientists Grow Atomically Thin Transistors and Circuits
According to scientists, this heat-driven transistor opens the possibility of many new applications. For example, it can detect minor temperature differences, use functional medical dressings to monitor the healing process, and enable a new heat camera on your mobile phone at a low cost.
In addition, scientists searched among conducting polymers and produced a liquid electrolyte. This liquid electrolyte has a 100 times greater potential to convert a temperature gradient to electric voltage. It consists of ions and conducting polymer molecules.
The positively charged ions are small and move rapidly, while the negatively charged polymer molecules are large and heavy. When one side is heated, the small ions move quickly towards the cold side, and a voltage difference arises.
Xavier Crispin said, “When we show that the capacitor worked, we started to look for other applications of the new electrolyte.”
Journal Reference
- Zhao, D., Fabiano, S., Berggren, M., & Crispin, X. (2017). Ionic thermoelectric gating organic transistors. Nature Communications, 8(1), 1-7. DOI: 10.1038/ncomms14214
