In a groundbreaking achievement, researchers have constructed the first functional computer entirely from two-dimensional (2D) materials. This marks a significant step toward replacing silicon in microelectronics, promising unprecedented scaling and enhanced performance.
The breakthrough, reported by Ghosh et al., involves a complementary metal-oxide-semiconductor (CMOS) one instruction set computer (OISC) built using 2D materials like molybdenum disulfide (MoS₂) and tungsten diselenide (WSe₂). These materials, characterized by their atomic-scale thickness and excellent carrier mobility, offer compelling advantages over traditional silicon-based semiconductors. This development redefines the path toward integrating these materials in complex circuits.
The team engineered a CMOS platform by integrating large-area n-type MoS₂ and p-type WSe₂ field-effect transistors (FETs). This approach allows for effective complementary operation. The integrated 2D CMOS circuits exhibited functional operation below 3 volts, with switching frequencies reaching up to 25 kHz. The system also demonstrated remarkably low power consumption, operating in the picowatt range.
This ultra-low power characteristic is highly desirable for applications demanding energy efficiency, such as wearable electronics and implantable biomedical devices. The successful integration of these materials opens exciting frontiers not only for logic electronics but also for optoelectronics, flexible devices, and sensors. The research highlights the practical significance of device variability and interface engineering in 2D electronics.
The prototype OISC embodies a minimalist yet fully functional computing architecture, demonstrating the essential building blocks of digital logic implemented through 2D semiconductor technology. This work affirms the potential of 2D materials as viable alternatives to silicon in CMOS logic and represents a landmark in the field's evolution. With continued research and development, ultra-scaled, energy-efficient 2D material-based microprocessors may soon become a reality.