Researches at University College London have developed a new method of creating the silicon dioxide needed for computer chips that uses much, much less energy. Their method uses ultraviolet lamps to catalyze the oxygen-silicon reaction, instead of the 1,000C (1,832°F!) ovens used today. This could one day mean lower prices for us consumers.
“This finding means that the industry’s energy, and subsequent cost savings, could reduce the prices of electronic devices for consumers and, of course, create a positive environmental impact,” said Professor Ian Boyd of UCL, a member of the team behind the discovery.
The emitted light causes oxygen molecules to break down into separate atoms. This dissociation creates one atom with a lot of energy and one with much less.
The energetic atoms are the most useful for creating silicon dioxide.
“They’re very aggressive, they’re very keen to oxidise the silicon,” explained Professor Boyd.
“You don’t even need to heat the silicon,” he said. “It oxidises at room temperature.”
Submitted by: Gargoyle
Source: BBC
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