Most advanced technologies rely on semiconductors , materials in which charges move from one chemical group of atom to another . This is usually done with electrons , where a individual negatron is passed between two atoms . Researchers are look at ways to transfer more than one electron at a clip and some believe that the key is superatoms .
Superatoms are definitely a weird chemical beast . They are made up of clump of molecule but dissemble just like a individual one . Sometimes this can mimic the property of different atoms or elements . What researchers are looking for is constancy in moving heraldic bearing and researchers have now come up with a new theoretic template for constructing superatoms . The strategy is reported inNature Communications .
" Semiconductors are used in every domain of life . Superatoms that could considerably enhance negatron donation would be a significant social welfare , " senior author Professor Shiv Khanna , from Virginia Commonwealth University , said in astatement . " We have invent a fresh approach in which one can synthesize such metallic element - based superatoms . "
In the template , the researchers focus on alkali elements , those that belong to the first column of the periodical table . These element have a single electron on their extinct shell which fix them quite responsive . remove this electron requires very little vim but removing more than one from a individual particle is just too energetically expensive . And that ’s what makes them good candidate for the superatom treatment . A clustering of alkali atom can donate and receive several electrons with only a little fleck of energy .
" The possibility of having these building blocks that can accept multiple mission or donate multiple charges would finally have wide - rank practical app in electronics , " Khanna said .
These alkali superatoms have already been created . The unexampled guide gives researchers a roadmap for create them efficiently and could even help to retrace real - life story program . One analytic thinking that the team performed looked at how to protect and stabilize such superatoms without compromise them .
The team used computer simulation to test a particular class of these molecules squall constitutive ligands . They simulated atomic number 13 clusters coalesce with atomic number 5 , carbon , silicon , and morning star paired with the organic ligands and showed that the bunch could liberate electrons using less vim than any alkali on the periodic table .
