University of Utah engineers demonstrated it is feasible to
build the first organic materials that conduct electricity on their edges, but
act as an insulator inside. These materials, called organic topological
insulators, could shuttle information at the speed of light in quantum
computers and other high-speed electronic devices.
The study published this week in the journal Nature
Communications will help pioneer a new field of research in materials science,
in the same way organic materials lowered the cost and eased production of
light-emitting diodes and solar cells, says senior author Feng Liu, professor
and chair of materials science and engineering.