Skip to content
BuildY

New way to transform matter

Idea Proposed

A newly discovered way to transform matter using Sliding van der Waals (vdW) Polytypes. This mechanism, also referred to as SlideTronics, allows for electric field-induced structural phase transitions in layered materials like graphene, boron nitride (BN), and transition metal dichalcogenides (TMDs).

How It Works

  1. Layer Sliding Mechanism:

    • In typical crystals, structural phase changes require breaking strong atomic bonds, which demands high energy. However, in vdW polytypes, the layers are held together by weak van der Waals forces, making them easier to manipulate.
    • By applying an electric field, the layers can slide between different meta-stable stacking configurations without breaking bonds, altering their electronic and magnetic properties.

  2. Switchable Electronic & Magnetic Properties:

    • The different stacking arrangements impact key properties such as ferroelectricity, magnetism, superconductivity, and quantum Hall states.
    • These changes are non-volatile, meaning they persist even after removing the external field.

  3. Multiferroic Applications:

    • Unlike conventional ferroelectric materials, where atomic motion aligns with the field, here the structure changes via sliding, not stretching or breaking.
    • This enables energy-efficient, rapid, and reversible phase changes, making it suitable for memory devices, sensors, and quantum computing.

How We Can Implement or Use This

  1. Next-Gen Memory Devices

    • The ability to switch states with minimal energy makes this ideal for low-power non-volatile memory (similar to ferroelectric RAM but faster and more durable).

  2. Advanced Sensors & Actuators

    • The structural transitions respond to tiny external stimuli, which could enable ultrasensitive pressure or electric field sensors.

  3. Quantum & Superconducting Devices

    • The changes in electronic band structures could be useful in quantum computers, where fast phase switching is needed.
    • Possible applications in high-temperature superconductors.

  4. New Electronics Beyond Silicon

    • This technology may lead to new types of Field Effect Transistors (FETs) that operate on structural sliding rather than charge movement, potentially surpassing silicon-based chips.

  5. Multi-State Logic Circuits

    • Unlike binary 0-1 states, these materials can hold multiple stable states, opening the door for ternary (0,1,2) or higher logic circuits, which could increase computing efficiency.

Sources & citation

Vizner Stern, M., Salleh Atri, S. & Ben Shalom, M. Sliding van der Waals polytypes. Nat Rev Phys 7, 50–61 (2025). https://doi.org/10.1038/s42254-024-00781-6