Have you ever imagined that you could pick an electronic part just like a fruit from a tree? If the work of researchers at the University of Osaka can produce results, we may indeed be able to ‘grow on trees’ electronic hardware components in the future.

Okayama University, together with the universities of Tokyo and Kyushu, is a semiconductor system where nano-micro-macro-scale 3D structures can be designed and their electrical properties can be modified. developed nanocellulose paper† So what does this mean?

‘In the future we will grow electronic parts on trees’

Cellulose is a natural and readily available material extracted from wood. Cellulose nanofibers (nanocellulose), standard Format similar to that of A4 It can be produced in sheets of flexible nanocellulose paper (nano paper). In fact, nanopapers do not conduct electrical current, but it is possible to obtain conductive properties with heat treatment. However, exposure to heat is can also disrupt the nanostructure†

For this reason, the Okayama University researchers can use the nanoscale to the macroscale without damaging the structures of the paper. they developed a heat treatment process that allowed them to heat the nanopaper† Hirotaka Koga, spokesperson and author of the study, said:

“An important feature of the nanopaper semiconductor is that it is tunable because it allows to design devices for specific applications. We applied an iodine treatment that is very effective in preserving the nanostructure of the nanopaper. By combining this with Spatially controlled drying, this means that the pyrolysis process did not significantly disrupt the designed structures and meant that the selected temperature could be used to control the electrical properties.”

The researchers used origami (folding paper) and kirigami (cutting paper) techniques to provide examples of nanopaper’s flexibility at the macro level. The experiment used materials such as a folded paper bird and box, a paper-cut apple, and a snowflake. This showed what the possible level of detail could be, as well as minimizing the damage caused by heat treatment.

The semiconductor nanopaper produced was used as an electrode in a glucose biofuel cell and the energy produced lit a small light. Research spokesman Koga, “The structure and tunability we have been able to demonstrate are beacons for transforming nanomaterials into practical devices. We believe our work is an important step towards being able to produce electronic hardware made entirely from plant material.” say.

So in the future it may be possible to use devices made from electronic equipment made entirely from plant material, although of course we won’t be able to actually get electronics out of wood. What do you think? Don’t forget to express your opinion in the comments.