the Production of components for computers is not lost to the environment. That's why researchers from the University of Wisconsin in Madison, has developed a semiconductor chip that can be produced from trees. About their unique achievement an article was published in the edition of Nature Communications.

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the Production of components for computers is not lost to the environment. That's why researchers from the University of Wisconsin in Madison, has developed a semiconductor chip that can be produced from trees. About their unique achievement an article was published in the edition of Nature Communications.

In the beginning of its work on a new chip, the scientists noticed that used in modern chips, the conductors do not take up as much space as their supporting elements, usually made of plastic and metal. These materials are difficult to decompose, and in their production emits a lot of harmful substances. Therefore, the research team tried to replace the supporting layer of the cellulose nanofibers. The chip is flexible, thus less hazardous to the environment during production and disposal. Used it in the biodegradable layer is called "cellulose nanofibrils" (CNF).

One of the problems faced by scientists in the development of the biochip was the susceptibility of the wood to swell under the influence of moisture. Coped with it with a special epoxy glaze, which is covered by the substrate of the chip. The result was a chip that is almost completely safe for the environment. Of course, it is unlikely that manufacturers of electronics will massively move to the use of such chips, but researchers have shown that the computer industry may be more friendly to nature.