A new molecule was discovered this week thanks to a team led by the University of Washington in Seattle and the Southeast University in China, according to UW's Web site. The findings were published in Science and the new molecule could be used in the manufacturing of sensors and memory chips, offering a cheaper alternative to the existing inorganic chips. The organic molecule is positively charged on one side and negatively charged on the other and is what scientific researchers call "ferroelectric". Synthetic versions of ferroelectrics are used in today's sensors and memory chips.
The new molecule is named diisopropylammonium, as it consists of the elements bromine, carbon, hydrogen and nitrogen. A University of Washington associate professor of mechanical engineering, Jiangyu Li said, "Ferroelectrics are pretty remarkable materials. It allows you to manipulate mechanical energy, electrical energy, optics and electromagnetics, all in a single package."
Compared to the ferroelectric molecule, Barium titanate, the new molecule has a higher natural polarization rating, making it the best ferroelectric ever discovered, according to Li. It also retains its properties at higher temperatures, up to 153 degrees Celsius (307 degrees Farenheit). Barium titanate's ferroelectric Curie temperature is 120 degree Celsius (300 degrees Farenheit). Another positve detail is that the new molecule has the ability to store energy substantially better than other organic ferroelectrics. This measurement is called a "dielectric constant" and it was recorded as being 10 times higher. The team of researchers also found that the new molecule is ideal for sensors, as it is efficient at converting movement to electricity."This molecule is quite remarkable, with some of the key properties that are comparable with the most popular inorganic crystals," said Li. The new molecule would not completely replace the existing inorganic materials but could lower manufacturing costs and improve flexibility and toxicity.
Li continues his research with the new organic ferroelectric molecule, further exploring all of its properties. He is very experienced in working with ferroelectic molecules; he and his graduate student discovered the presence of ferroelectricity in soft animal tissue last year. His research work was also featured in Science in 2011 where he elaborated on how digital storage could benefit from the use of ferroelectric molecules.
