Objective "In certain physical interfaces between two different materials, or in physical surfaces, electrons or holes behave as if they were confined to two dimensions, forming a 2-dimensional gas, [2DG] and showing exceptional properties, such as very high mobility. 2DG is a common phenomenon widely used, e.g. in Metal-oxide-semiconductor field effect transistors (MOSFETs), currently used in nearly all microprocessors. 2DG is usually confined to physical interfaces between two different materials and its physical location is fixed.Imagine now a new type of 2DG, which is not confined to a physical interface but can be created electrically inside a pure single material; it could be electrically ‘written’ into a working device at will, and could be displaced inside the material by a small voltage pulse. In our ERC project we predicted this theoretically and demonstrated it experimentally inside a single crystal of the ubiquitous insulator BaTiO3. In contrast to conventional 2DG, our 2DG isn't bound to an interface. The free carrier concentration at our 2DG reaches giant 10power19 cm-3 and its metallic conductivity exceeds 10power9 times the bulk conductivity. We have also elaborated and filed a patent application on a way to produce this 2DG inside the insulator. In principle this effect can work in all ferroelectric materials. In the PoC project we plan to demonstrate the phenomenon inside thin films, which are more industrially viable than the bulk crystal used for our first demonstration, to demonstrate the function of our field-controlled 2DG in an industrially exploitable structure, approach industry, and explore together applicability of devices based on this new phenomenon in electronics and related areas, such as MEMS. At the end of the PoC project, we will have confirmed the potential of the new 2DG in a set of devices, secured our new patents, developed IPR strategy and we or partners will have strategic plan towards device development and commercialization." Fields of science engineering and technologyelectrical engineering, electronic engineering, information engineeringelectronic engineeringcomputer hardwarecomputer processorsengineering and technologymaterials engineeringcoating and films Programme(s) FP7-IDEAS-ERC - Specific programme: "Ideas" implementing the Seventh Framework Programme of the European Community for research, technological development and demonstration activities (2007 to 2013) Topic(s) ERC-OA-2013-PoC - European Research Council ERC Proof of Concept Call for proposal ERC-2013-PoC See other projects for this call Funding Scheme CSA-SA(POC) - Supporting action (Proof of Concept) Host institution ECOLE POLYTECHNIQUE FEDERALE DE LAUSANNE EU contribution € 149 869,00 Address BATIMENT CE 3316 STATION 1 1015 Lausanne Switzerland See on map Region Schweiz/Suisse/Svizzera Région lémanique Vaud Activity type Higher or Secondary Education Establishments Administrative Contact Caroline Vandevyver (Dr.) Links Contact the organisation Opens in new window Website Opens in new window Total cost No data Beneficiaries (1) Sort alphabetically Sort by EU Contribution Expand all Collapse all ECOLE POLYTECHNIQUE FEDERALE DE LAUSANNE Switzerland EU contribution € 149 869,00 Address BATIMENT CE 3316 STATION 1 1015 Lausanne See on map Region Schweiz/Suisse/Svizzera Région lémanique Vaud Activity type Higher or Secondary Education Establishments Administrative Contact Caroline Vandevyver (Dr.) Links Contact the organisation Opens in new window Website Opens in new window Total cost No data
