Electronic Landscape Research Articles

Flexible Mini‐Inductors with Ultra‐High Inductance Density Directly Cut from Soft Magnetic Amorphous Alloys by Femtosecond Laser

AbstractInductors are indispensable parts in power modules of electronic devices. With the rapid development of flexible and wearable electronic devices, developing flexible micro‐inductors with large energy storage has become an urgent task. In this research, a sophisticated femtosecond laser ablation technique is employed to craft circular spiral mini‐inductors via selective etching of soft magnetic amorphous alloy ribbons. Remarkably, while these inductors possess dimensions akin to human fingerprints, they demonstrate an impressively elevated inductance value of ≈1.15 µH at 1 MHz. The inductance density is ≈280–390 nH mm−2, which is ≈10 times larger than conventional circular spiral inductors and is attributed to the high permeability of the amorphous alloys. Furthermore, the inductors showcase commendable flexibility, marked by stellar elasticity and a bending endurance exceeding 2500 cycles, thanks to the amorphous alloys' superior elastic strain limit. When integrated with an LM2576‐3.3BT buck converter, the fabricated inductor achieved a peak power conversion efficiency nearing 70%. These findings underscore the potential of such flexible mini‐inductors in the landscape of flexible electronics.

Metamorphosis of India’s electronic consumer device landscape: Case study of Asia’s most successful brand – boAt

boAt is an Indian-based consumer electronics business that sells earbuds, headphones stereos, portable chargers and luxury tough cables. It was founded in 2015. The co-founders Sameer Ashok Mehta and Aman Gupta founded Imagine Marketing Services Private Limited, in November 2013 which does business as boAt. The company has emerged as one of the prominent home-grown D2C brands that challenged market leaders in the earphones and wearable space. Overall, the company’s total annual profits surged nearly 61% to Rs 78.6 crore (INR 786 million) during FY21 from Rs 48.8 crore (INR 488 million) during FY20. The company’s success continued into FY22, where its revenue soared to 28.86 billion, accompanied by a profit (after tax) of ₹79 crore (INR 790 million). boAt’s remarkable performance in the consumer electronics market made it a notable player in the industry. In the fiscal year 2021–2022, boAt had set a revenue target of 500 crore (INR 5 billion). It was then the responsibility of the managing director, Aman Gupta, and his team to devise a strategic plan to achieve this goal. They faced the challenge of addressing potential issues anticipated by the team. Aman and his staff were particularly concerned with the corporate plan to offset the declining return on equity. They also had to formulate marketing strategies aimed at ensuring future sustainable growth for the company. This case study offered valuable insights into the changing landscape of India’s consumer device market and the strategies implemented by boAt’s management for successful navigation in the industry.

Unveiling the electronic and magnetic landscape of 3d transition metal doped hydrogenated borophenes: a first-principles study.

In this study, density functional theory (DFT) simulations have been utilized to probe the intricate electronic and magnetic properties of pristine and 3d transition metal doped hydrogenated borophenes. It has been investigated through electronic structure calculations that the hydrogenation of 2-Pmmn borophene leads to the emergence of an in-plane Dirac cone, elucidating its transformation into a potential Dirac material with fortified stability. By employing spin-polarized DFT calculations with the Hubbard U correction, we have estimated the electronic and magnetic states of transition metal doped hydrogenated borophenes. Our analysis reveals that the Cr doped hydrogenated borophene manifests the highest magnetic moment of 4.76μB, making it a promising magnetic 2D material. Furthermore, the exchange energy has been calculated by considering the interaction between two transition metal atoms, to assess its magnetic state (ferromagnetic/antiferromagnetic/non-magnetic). The mean field theory and Heisenberg model have been utilized for Néel and Curie temperature estimation, corresponding to anti-ferromagnetic and ferromagnetic states respectively. The present study contributes to the design and understanding of Dirac materials with tailored electronic and magnetic characteristics, highlighting the potential for novel applications in electronics and spintronics. The insights gained from this work may pave the way for future experimental investigations and the realization of functionalized 2D materials with tunable properties.

Impact of Demonetization on Electronic Banking: An Analytical Study

This research investigates the multifaceted repercussions of demonetization on electronic banking, examining the transformative effects on financial systems and consumer behavior. Key components of the study include an assessment of the immediate and long-term impacts of demonetization on electronic banking adoption, transaction volumes, and security concerns. The analysis encompasses a comprehensive review of key financial indicators, regulatory changes, and technological advancements in the electronic banking landscape post-demonetization.

Advancements in Artificial Intelligence Circuits and Systems (AICAS)

In the rapidly evolving landscape of electronics, Artificial Intelligence Circuits and Systems (AICAS) stand out as a groundbreaking frontier. This review provides an exhaustive examination of the advancements in AICAS, tracing its development from inception to its modern-day applications. Beginning with the foundational principles that underpin AICAS, we delve into the state-of-the-art architectures and design paradigms that are propelling the field forward. This review also sheds light on the multifaceted applications of AICAS, from optimizing energy efficiency in electronic devices to empowering next-generation cognitive computing systems. Key challenges, such as scalability and robustness, are discussed in depth, along with potential solutions and emerging trends that promise to shape the future of AICAS. By offering a comprehensive overview of the current state and potential trajectory of AICAS, this review serves as a valuable resource for researchers, engineers, and industry professionals looking to harness the power of AI in electronics.

High Gain Graphene Based Hot Electron Transistor with Record High Saturated Output Current Density

AbstractHot electron transistors (HETs) represent an exciting new device for integration into semiconductor technology, holding the promise of high‐frequency electronics beyond the limits of SiGe bipolar hetero transistors. With the exploration of 2D materials such as graphene and new device architectures, hot electron transistors have the potential to revolutionize the landscape of modern electronics. This study highlights a novel hot electron transistor structure with a record output current density of 800 A cm−2 and a high current gain α, fabricated using a scalable fabrication approach. The hot electron transistor structure comprises 2D hexagonal boron nitride and graphene layers wet transferred to a germanium substrate. The combination of these materials results in exceptional performance, particularly in terms of the highly saturated output current density. The scalable fabrication scheme used to produce the hot electron transistor opens up opportunities for large‐scale manufacturing. This breakthrough in hot electron transistor technology holds promise for advanced electronic applications, offering high current capabilities in a practical and manufacturable device.

Photophysical Behavior of Triethylmethylammonium Tetrabromoferrate(III) under High Pressure.

The pressure-induced properties of hybrid organic-inorganic ferroelectrics (HOIFs) with tunable structures and selectable organic and inorganic components are important for device fabrication. However, given the structural complexity of polycrystalline HOIFs and the limited resolution of pressure data, resolving the structure-property puzzle has so far been the exception rather than the rule. With this in mind, we present a collection of in situ high-pressure data measured for triethylmethylammonium tetrabromoferrate(III), ([N(C2H5)3CH3][FeBr4]) (EMAFB) by unraveling its flexible physical and photophysical behavior up to 80 GPa. Pressure-driven X-ray diffraction and Raman spectroscopy disclose its soft and reversible structural distortion, creating room for delicate band gap modulation. During compression, orange turns dark red at ∼2 GPa, and further compression results in piezochromism, leading to opaque black, while decompressed EMAFB appears in an orange hue. Assuming that the mechanical softness of EMAFB is the basis for reversible piezochromic control, we present alternations in the electronic landscape leading to a 1.22 eV band narrowing at 20.3 GPa while maintaining the semiconducting character at 72 GPa. EMAFB exhibits an emission enhancement, manifested by an increase of photoluminescence up to 17.3 GPa, correlating with the onsets of structural distortion and amorphization. The stimuli-responsive behavior of EMAFB, exhibiting stress-activated modification of the electronic structure, can enrich the physical library of HOIFs suitable for pressure-sensing technologies.

Cation-Disorder Engineering Promotes Efficient Charge-Carrier Transport in AgBiS2 Nanocrystal Films.

Efficient charge-carrier transport is critical to the success of emergent semiconductors in photovoltaic applications. So far, disorder has been considered detrimental for charge-carrier transport, lowering mobilities, and causing fast recombination. This work demonstrates that, when properly engineered, cation disorder in a multinary chalcogenide semiconductor can considerably enhance the charge-carrier mobility and extend the charge-carrier lifetime. Here, the properties of AgBiS2 nanocrystals (NCs) are explored as a function of Ag and Bi cation-ordering, which can be modified via thermal-annealing. Local Ag-rich and Bi-rich domains formed during hot-injection synthesis are transformed to induce homogeneous disorder (random Ag-Bi distribution). Such cation-disorder engineering results in a sixfold increase in the charge-carrier mobility, reaching ≈2.7 cm2 V-1 s-1 in AgBiS2 NC thin films. It is further demonstrated that homogeneous cation disorder reduces charge-carrier localization, a hallmark of charge-carrier transport recently observed in silver-bismuth semiconductors. This work proposes that cation-disorder engineering flattens the disordered electronic landscape, removing tail states that would otherwise exacerbate Anderson localization of small polaronic states. Together, these findings unravel how cation-disorder engineering in multinary semiconductors can enhance the efficiency of renewable energy applications.

Toward Sustainable Ultrawide Bandgap van der Waals Materials: An ab initio Screening Effort

AbstractThe sustainable development of next‐generation device technology is paramount in the face of climate change and the looming energy crisis. Tremendous effort is made in the discovery and design of nanomaterials that achieve device‐level sustainability, where high performance and low operational energy cost are prioritized. However, many of such materials are composed of elements that are under threat of depletion and pose elevated risks to the environment and human health. The role of materials‐level sustainability in computational screening efforts is overlooked thus far. This work presents a general van der Waals materials screening framework imbued with sustainability‐motivated search criteria. Using ultrawide bandgap (UWBG) materials as a backdrop, 25 sustainable UWBG layered materials comprising only of low‐risks elements result from this screening effort, with several meeting the requirements for dielectric, power electronics, and ultraviolet device applications. These findings constitute a critical first‐step toward reinventing a more sustainable electronics landscape beyond silicon, with the framework established in this work serving as a harbinger of sustainable 2D materials discovery.

Capillary Underfill Flow Simulation as a Design Tool for Flow-Optimized Encapsulation in Heterogenous Integration.

As the power electronics landscape evolves, pushing for greater vertical integration, capillary underfilling is considered a versatile encapsulation technique suited for iterative development cycles of innovative integration concepts. Since a defect-free application is critical, this study proposes a capillary two-phase flow simulation, predicting both the flow pattern and velocity with remarkable precision and efficiency. In a preliminary performance evaluation, Volume of Fluid (VOF) outperforms the Level-Set method in terms of accuracy and computation time. Strategies like HRIC blending, artificial viscosity, and implicit Multi-Stepping prove effective in optimizing the numerical VOF scheme. Digital mapping using physical experiments and virtual simulations validates transient flow predictions, achieving excellent agreement with deviations as low as 1.48-3.34%. The accuracy of flow predictions is thereby greatly influenced by non-Newtonian viscosity characteristics in the low shear range and time-dependent contact angle variations. The study further explores flow manipulation concepts, focusing on local flow speed adjustment, gap segmentation, and the use of arcuate shapes to influence interface confluence near the chip. Experimental validation corroborates the effectiveness of each design intervention. In conclusion, this research highlights the potential of predictive engineering to develop flow-optimized package designs that enhance reliability while supporting high manufacturing yields.

Integrated Structural, Functional, and ADMET Analysis of 2-Methoxy-4,6-diphenylnicotinonitrile: The Convergence of X-ray Diffraction, Molecular Docking, Dynamic Simulations, and Advanced Computational Insights.

This study systematically investigates the molecular structure and electronic properties of 2-methoxy-4,6-diphenylnicotinonitrile, employing X-ray diffraction (XRD) and sophisticated computational methodologies. XRD findings validate the compound's orthorhombic crystallization in the P21212 space group, composed of a pyridine core flanked by two phenyl rings. Utilizing the three-dimensional Hirshfeld surface, the research decodes the molecule's spatial attributes, further supported by exhaustive statistical assessments. Key interactions, such as π-π stacking and H⋯X contacts, are spotlighted, underscoring their role in the crystal's inherent stability and characteristics. Energy framework computations and density functional theory (DFT) analyses elucidate the prevailing forces in the crystal and reveal geometric optimization facets and molecular reactivity descriptors. Emphasis is given to the exploration of frontier molecular orbitals (FMOs), aromaticity, and π-π stacking capacities. The research culminates in distinguishing electron density distributions, aromatic nuances, and potential reactivity hotspots, providing a holistic view of the compound's structural and electronic landscape. Concurrently, molecular docking investigates its interaction with the lipoprotein-associated phospholipase A2 protein. Notably, the compound showcases significant interactions with the protein's active site. Molecular dynamics simulations reveal the compound's influence on protein stability and flexibility. Although the molecule exhibits strong inhibitory potential against Lp-PLA2, its drug development prospects face challenges related to solubility and interactions with drug transport proteins.

Bandgap Pressure Coefficient of a CH3NH3PbI3 Thin Film Perovskite.

Recent scientific interest in examining the bandgap evolution of a MAPbI3 hybrid perovskite by applying hydrostatic pressure has mostly focused on a room-temperature tetragonal phase. In contrast, the pressure response of a low-temperature orthorhombic phase (OP) of MAPbI3 has not been explored and understood. In this research, we investigate for the first time how hydrostatic pressure alters the electronic landscape of the OP of MAPbI3. Pressure studies using photoluminescence combined with calculations within density functional theory at zero temperature allowed us to identify the main physical factors affecting the bandgap evolution of the OP of MAPbI3. The negative bandgap pressure coefficient was found to be strongly dependent on the temperature (α120K = -13.3 ± 0.1 meV/GPa, α80K = -29.8 ± 0.1 meV/GPa, and α40K = -36.3 ± 0.1 meV/GPa). Such dependence is related to the changes in the Pb-I bond length and geometry in the unit cell as the atomic configuration approaches the phase transition as well as the increasing phonon contribution to octahedral tilting as the temperature increases.

Controlled Electronic and Magnetic Landscape in Self-Assembled Complex Oxide Heterostructures.

Complex oxide heterointerfaces contain a rich playground of novel physical properties and functionalities, which give rise to emerging technologies. Among designing and controlling the functional properties of complex oxide film heterostructures, vertically aligned nanostructure (VAN) films using a self-assembling bottom-up deposition method presents great promise in terms of structural flexibility and property tunability. Here, the bottom-up self-assembly is extended to a new approach using a mixture containing a 2Dlayer-by-layer film growth, followed by a 3D VAN film growth. In this work, the two-phase nanocomposite thin films are based on LaAlO3 :LaBO3 , grown on a lattice-mismatched SrTiO3001 (001) single crystal.The 2D-to-3D transient structural assembly is primarily controlled by the composition ratio, leading to the coexistence of multiple interfacial properties, 2D electron gas, and magnetic anisotropy. This approach provides multidimensional film heterostructures which enrich the emergent phenomena for multifunctional applications.

Topological electride phase of sodium at high pressures and temperatures

Ab initio evolutionary structure searches coupled with quasiharmonic calculations predict that the insulating Na hP4 phase transitions to a novel P63/m phase between 200 GPa at 150 K, and 350 GPa at 1900 K. P63/m Na is a topological semimetal with a Dirac nodal surface that is protected by a non-symmorphic symmetry, S2z . It is characterized by localized non-nuclear charge within 1D honeycomb channels and 0D cages rendering it an electride. These results highlight the complexity of warm dense sodiums electronic structure and free energy landscape that emerges at conditions where ionic cores overlap.

Interchromophoric Twist: Gateway to Long-Lived Excitons

Structure-property-function relationships play a key role in governing physical properties in molecules and materials in the broader sense. Particularly in organic light-harvesting materials, the sensitivity is magnified as the vibronic and electronic energy landscapes are highly sensitive to the type and extent of quantum chemical communication between molecules. In this article, we select a particular geometric feature- the interchromophoric twist and discuss its implication on several fundamental photophysical properties in connection with our lab’s research interests. We highlight two important processes, singlet fission (SF) and symmetry- breaking charge separation (SB-CS). We narrate how the interchromophoric rotation angle can be a crucial tool in achieving an appropriate electronic coupling in each of the cases and help us utilize these processes to achieve long- lived excitons (triplets and unbound electron-hole pairs) for the design and development of efficient artificial solar energy systems.

For every retinylidene a force field: Using machine learning to improve molecular simulations of rhodopsins.

G-protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) are a superfamily of transmembrane proteins that perform diverse signaling roles in organisms, including humans. This makes them an attractive target for pharmaceuticals, with 134 different GPCRs being currently targeted by roughly 700 drugs. Here we study the retinylidene cofactor of GPCR rhodopsin that is responsible for initiating phototransduction. There are many distinct retinal forms—isomers, rotamers, and protonation states—that all have unique electronic landscapes. However, current molecular dynamics force field libraries are incomplete in that they ignore these differences and treat each retinylidene form identically. It is unknown what effect this has on current molecular dynamics simulations of retinal proteins. Our work addresses this problem by using machine learning methods to generate unique force fields for each of forty retinylidene forms. This approach improved on traditional parameterization schemes by using Born-Oppenheimer molecular dynamics trajectories to sample the retinylidene energetic landscapes. To validate our methods, the new force fields were then used in all-atom molecular dynamics simulations of the entire rhodopsin-membrane-water system. From these simulations we were able to recover hydrogen relaxation rates that closely matched experimental solid-state deuterium (2H) NMR measurements. Comparison of force field parameters showed a small but—given the highly allosteric nature of rhodopsin—potentially significant difference between retinylidene forms. We expect this work will improve simulations of many different types of rhodopsins, and that it will lead to an increased appreciation of the complexity of the retinylidene energetic landscape. Work supported by US NIH (R01EY026041) and US NSF (CHE 1904125, MCB 1817862) and Ministry of Education and Science of the Russian Federation (Project FSRM-2020-0006).

The impact of valley profile on the mobility and Kerr rotation of transition metal dichalcogenides

The transport and optical properties of semiconducting transition metal dichalcogenides around room temperature are dictated by electron–phonon scattering mechanisms within a complex, spin-textured and multi-valley electronic landscape. The relative positions of the valleys are critical, yet they are sensitive to external parameters and very difficult to determine directly. We propose a first-principles model as a function of valley positions to calculate carrier mobility and Kerr rotation angles, and apply it to MoS2, WS2, MoSe2, and WSe2. The model brings valuable insights, as well as quantitative predictions of macroscopic properties for a wide range of carrier density. The doping-dependent mobility displays a characteristic peak, the height depending on the position of the valleys. In parallel, the Kerr rotation signal is enhanced when same spin-valleys are aligned, and quenched when opposite spin-valleys are populated. We provide guidelines to optimize and correlate these quantities with respect to experimental parameters, as well as the theoretical support for in situ characterization of the valley positions.

A Decade of IEEE Access

Ten years ago, the electrical and electronic engineering and computer science landscape was profoundly different than it is today. The Internet of Things was just emerging, wireless power transfer was in its infancy, and artificial intelligence tools were not yet able to write coherent essays or create convincing deep fake images, but the seeds of transformation were taking place. Scientific publishing was also undergoing an immense transformation with an acceleration toward open access (OA).

Engineering quantum states and electronic landscapes through surface molecular nanoarchitectures

Surfaces are at the frontier of every known solid. They provide versatile supports for functional nanostructures and mediate essential physicochemical processes. Being intimately related with 2D materials, interfaces and atomically thin films often feature distinct electronic states with respect to the bulk, which are key for many relevant properties, such as catalytic activity, interfacial charge-transfer, or crystal growth mechanisms. Of particular interest is reducing the surface electrons' dimensionality and spread with atomic precision, to induce novel quantum properties via lateral scattering and confinement. Both atomic manipulation and supramolecular principles provide access to custom-designed molecular superlattices, which tailor the surface electronic landscape and influence fundamental chemical and physical properties at the nanoscale. Herein, we review the confinement of surface state electrons focusing on their interaction with molecule-based scaffolds created by molecular manipulation and self-assembly protocols under ultrahigh vacuum conditions. Starting from the quasi-free 2D electron gas present at the (111)-terminated surface planes of noble metals, we illustrate the enhanced molecule-based structural complexity and versatility compared to simple atoms. We survey low-dimensional confining structures in the form of artificial lattices, molecular nanogratings or quantum dot arrays, which are constructed upon appropriate choice of their building constituents. Whenever the realized (metal-)organic networks exhibit long-range order, modified surface band structures with characteristic features emerge, revealing intriguing physical properties, such as discretization, quantum coupling or energy and effective mass renormalization. Such collective electronic states can be additionally modified by positioning guest species at the voids of open nanoarchitectures [...].

Density functional theory and experimental investigations of MWCNT-PDMS based triboelectric nanogenerator

The emergence of triboelectric nanogenerators (TENG) have transformed the landscape of self-powered electronics and sensing mechanisms by exploiting the remarkable potential of innovative functional nanomaterials. However, there is a lack of theoretical in-depth analysis of the triboelectric devices. Herein, for the first time, the triboelectric performance of Polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) and Multi-walled Carbon Nanotubes (MWCNT) - PDMS based TENG is unveiled by rigorous investigation of electronic structures through density functional theory (DFT) computations. Experimentally, PDMS and MWCNT-PDMS thin films are fabricated that are used as tribo-negative layers in the fabrication of TENGs. Further, the material characterisations are performed for the fabricated nanocomposite films. The output performance of TENGs is realised by using a dynamic test platform that imitates the finger tapping mechanism and the influence of contact surface area (1 cm 2 , 4 cm 2 , 9 cm 2 , 16 cm 2 , 25 cm 2 ) between triboelectric layers on open circuit voltage (V oc ) of TENGs is investigated. The outcomes demonstrate linear increase in V oc corresponding to increase in contact area of TENG. With a contact area of 1 cm 2 , the maximum peak-to-peak open circuit voltage (V mpp ) is recorded to be 32.2 V and 94.2 V for PDMS and MWCNT-PDMS based TENG respectively. An increase in V mpp by ~65% is synergistically validated by ~95% decrease in band gap endowing to addition of MWCNT into PDMS elastomer. Importantly, the energy band gap analysis is quantified by calculating HOMO/LUMO states and density of states responsible for the development of electric potential which can be used for small power applications. • Analysing the enhancement in triboelectric performance of PDMS on addition of MWCNT using density functional theory (DFT) calculations. • MWCNT-PDMS based TENG exhibited ~65% higher open circuit voltage than pure PDMS TENG. • Band gap reduced by ~95% on incorporation of MWCNT into PDMS elastomer. • Increased DOS peak intensity in valence band and conduction band along with the shift towards fermi level provides assistance to charge transport in comparison to pristine PDMS • Experimental outcomes are synergistically validated by DFT findings.