Researchers have developed a ‘hybrid microchip’ that could advance electronics beyond the limits of Moore’s Law. According to Moore’s Law, the number of transistors on an integrated circuit doubles every two years, leading to an exponential improvement in electronics. However, as devices get smaller, it is increasingly difficult for manufacturers to continue the trend on conventional silicon microchips.
Chips made from new materials such as gallium nitride could deliver better performance, but researchers have been unable to match the efficiency and reliability of silicon microchips so far. MIT researcher Tomas Palacios suggests a hybrid microchip that combines semiconductor materials with different and complementary characteristics.
