Description:
Princeton Docket # 15-3071-1
Researchers at Princeton University, Department of Chemistry, have developed a material with a very high magneto resistive (MR) effect, WTe2, which can be used in devices based on the MR effect.
Magnetoresistance is the change of a material’s electrical resistance in response to an applied magnetic field. Materials with large magnetoresistance have been used as magnetic sensors, in magnetic memory, hard drives, and transistors. Currently, the materials used for temperature or magnetic field measurements are prone to large degrees of error when used below 20K in temperature or above 5T in magnetic field.
WTe2 exhibits an extremely large magnetoresistance, with no known saturation point even at the extremely high applied magnetic field of 60 Tesla. The MR properties of WTe2 are the most unique at low temperatures (below 10 K) and high magnetic fields. This property of WTe2 makes it capable of accurately measuring low temperatures in high magnetic fields, as well as magnetic fields at low temperatures. The large MR of WTe2 also provides advantages over current MR materials in devices based on the MR effect.
The quality of WTe2 dramatically affects its MR property. A new, advanced synthetic method has been developed to make consistent and high-quality WTe2 with a high yield.
Applications
• Devices based on the MR effect
1. Magnetic sensors
2. Hall sensors
3. Temperature sensors
• Current measurement
• Magnetic field measurement
• Proximity detection
• Metrology equipment
• Oil, gas, and ore recovery
Advantages
• Extremely large magnetoresistance
• No saturation of MR at high magnetic fields.
• Anisotropic
• Consistent/ high quality material
• Accurate measurement at low temperature and/or in high magnetic field
• Thin crystals that can be exfoliated
Publication:
http://www.nature.com/nature/journal/v514/n7521/abs/nature13763.html
The Inventors
Professor Robert J. Cava, Russell Wellman Moore Professor of Chemistry, former department Chair
Professor Robert J. Cava obtained his Ph.D. from MIT. His area of interest is the chemistry of materials, emphasizing the relationships between chemistry, crystal structure, and electronic and magnetic properties of non-molecular solids. He studies synthesis, structure, and physical property characterization of new transition metal oxides, chalcogenides, intermetallics, and pnictides. His research includes the materials chemistry of superconductors, magnetic materials, transparent electronic conductors, dielectrics, thermoelectrics, geometrically frustrated magnets, and correlated electron systems. Professor Cava has received numerous honors, including but not limited to the New Materials Prize of the American Physical Society, the John J. Carty Award for the advancement of Science, and the President’s award for distinguished teaching at Princeton University.
Mazhar N. Ali, Ph.D.
Dr. Ali completed his bachelor's degrees in chemistry and physics at the University of California- Berkeley while researching nuclear chemistry. After working for a year at the Lawrence Berkeley national lab, he joined professor cava's group at Princeton. He recently completed his Ph.D. in chemistry and materials, primarily trying to discover new materials with exotic physical properties.
Intellectual Property & Development status
Patent protection is pending.
Princeton is currently seeking commercial partners for the further development and commercialization of this opportunity.
Contact:
Michael R. Tyerech
Princeton University Office of Technology Licensing • (609) 258-6762• tyerech@princeton.edu
Xin (Shane) Peng
Princeton University Office of Technology Licensing • (609) 258-5579• xinp@princeton.edu