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This significant development could put an end to PC overheating concerns for good

A little-known compound could dethrone silicon in the near future

Silicon may be the de facto standard for computers today, but new research from MIT, the University of Houston, and other schools suggests that it may be time for a shift.

Cubic boron arsenide, a compound molecule created by combining boron and arsenic, may be a better semiconductor, circumventing some of silicon's shortcomings in terms of heat sensitivity.

Cubic boron arsenide, in fact, has the "third-best thermal conductivity of any material — next to diamond and isotopically enriched cubic boron nitride," according to study published in Science.

Is this what the future holds?

More research is needed to determine whether cubic boron arsenide can be "produced in a viable, inexpensive form, much less replace the omnipresent silicon," according to the study.

However, the researchers believe that the material could find "certain usage where its unique features would make a substantial impact" in the near future.

Having said that, the study showed the compound's enormous potential.

Cubic boron arsenide appears to be far more tolerant of "holes," electrons' positively charged counterparts.

Cubic boron's reduced heat sensitivity could possibly make a significant difference.

"Heat is now a serious constraint for many devices," said co-author and MIT postdoc Jungwoo Shin. "Silicon carbide is replacing silicon for power electronics in major EV sectors such as Tesla because it has three times the heat conductivity of silicon despite having lower electrical mobilities." 

"Consider what boron arsenides can accomplish, with 10 times the heat conductivity and mobility of silicon. It has the potential to be a game changer."

Not only is cubic boron arsenide threatening to supplant silicon one day.

University of Illinois researchers created 4-bit and 8-bit processors entirely out of plastic, with an 81 percent success rate, at least for the 4-bit ones

It's worth noting that silicon never truly had a monopoly in the area of semiconductors.

Gallium arsenide, a compound composed of gallium and arsenic, is a popular alternative to silicon in lasers.

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