The new plasticine-like material bends like plastic and conducts electricity like metal.

A material like Play-Doh, which bends like plastic but conducts electricity like metal, could soon revolutionize the electronics industry by powering iPhones, solar panels and other devices more efficiently.

An innovation developed by scientists from the University of Chicagomade possible by stacking molecular fragments in a random and unorganized manner instead of the traditional straight, tightly packed rows, which provided flexibility.

The scientists, although baffled by their creation, are amazed that the material can be molded at room temperature rather than melted. like traditional metal.

The scientists said the new material is like “conductive plasticine – you can put it in place and it conducts electricity,” said John Anderson, senior author of the study. statement.

The innovation, developed by scientists at the University of Chicago, was made possible by stacking molecular fragments in a random and disorganized manner instead of the traditional straight, densely packed rows, which provided flexibility.

The innovation, developed by scientists at the University of Chicago, was made possible by stacking molecular fragments in a random and disorganized manner instead of the traditional straight, densely packed rows, which provided flexibility.

“In principle, this opens up the possibility of developing an entirely new class of materials that conduct electricity, are easily moldable, and are very durable in everyday conditions.” Anderson continued.

Metals are the oldest and most numerous group of conductors, which includes copper, gold and aluminum.

However, only 50 years ago, scientists developed new conductors from organic materials.

This was done through a chemical treatment known as “doping” in which various atoms or electrons are filtered through the material.

Scientists believe the new material could power devices like the iPhone and solar panels more efficiently.

Scientists believe the new material could power devices like the iPhone and solar panels more efficiently.

It was then that scientists also began to organize atoms or molecules into straight, densely packed rows, thinking that this was the only entity that could efficiently conduct electricity.

Jiaze Xie, the paper’s first author, who received his doctorate from the university this year, tinkered with material discovered years ago but was largely ignored.

He strung nickel atoms like pearls on a string of molecular balls of carbon and sulfur and began testing.

The results showed that the new material conducts electricity easily, if not stronger than traditional conductors.

“We heated it, cooled it, exposed it to air and humidity, and even dripped acid and alkali on it, and nothing happened,” Xie said, noting that such an ability is a game-changer in the real world.

Anderson notes that, looking at the formation of molecules, there is no way the material could be a metal, but it is.

Xie, Anderson and their lab worked with other university scientists to understand how the material could conduct electricity.

After testing, simulations and theoretical work, they came to the conclusion that the material forms layers, like sheets in climbing.

Even if the sheets are rotated sideways without forming a neat stack of lasagna, the electrons can still move horizontally or vertically—as long as the pieces touch.

The end result is unprecedented for a conductive material.

The new material does not have this limitation because it can be produced at room temperature. It can also be used where the need for a device or parts of a device to withstand exposure to heat, acid, alkali, or moisture has previously limited the ability of engineers to develop new technologies.

The team is also looking into the various forms and functions the material can take.

“We think we can make it 2D or 3D, make it porous, or even introduce other features by adding different builders or nodes,” Xie said.