DIGITAL LIFE

The breakthrough that could change cell phones, computers, and AI forever

MIT researchers have taken a bold step toward creating a magnetic transistor with the potential to change everything we know about electronic devices. Faster, more efficient, and capable of combining functions in a single component, this breakthrough could open the door to a completely different technological era.

Modern electronics is about to enter a new chapter. Silicon, the basis of almost all devices, faces its physical and energy limits. But an MIT team has developed a magnetic transistor capable of overcoming these obstacles, combining low power consumption, speed, and integrated memory. More than an academic breakthrough, this is an innovation that could transform everything from cell phones to supercomputers.

For decades, silicon has sustained technological evolution. However, further reducing the size of silicon transistors leads to efficiency losses and increased energy consumption. To address this challenge, MIT engineers replaced the traditional material with a magnetic semiconductor called chromium bromine trisulfide (CrSBr).

This two-dimensional material has unique magnetic properties that allow it to control electrical flow stably and quickly, using less energy. Furthermore, it has proven to be surprisingly resistant to contact with air, a key differentiator for future industrial applications.

From spintronics to practical reality...The new transistor falls within the field of spintronics, an area that explores not only electrical charge but also the "spin" of electrons. Although the theory has been studied for years, a functional device that combines magnetism and good electronic performance was lacking.

In this model, the switch between the "on" and "off" states occurs thanks to the magnetic transition of the material, electrically controlled and without the need for external magnetic fields. This represents a milestone towards extreme miniaturization and the large-scale production of millions of transistors.

The great revolution lies in its versatility: the transistor acts both as a logic switch and as a memory cell. In other words, devices will be able to process and store information in the same location, without the need for continuous data transfer, as is the case in current systems. In laboratory tests, the prototype was able to amplify the electric current up to 10 times—a performance far superior to that of other magnetic models, which only achieved discrete changes in flow.

The applications of this advancement extend far beyond the laboratory. It could lead to faster, longer-lasting cell phones, servers that consume less energy, and environmental sensors that are virtually battery-independent.

Another promising point is the opening up of neuromorphic computing, which mimics the functioning of the human brain. This type of architecture could boost artificial intelligence at a much lower energy cost.

In a scenario where technology's energy consumption is growing rapidly, a more efficient and sustainable transistor isn't just about innovation: it could be an essential tool for reducing the global carbon footprint.

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