Tin will soon gain better attention now that the metal is said to soon replace graphene as the top material used in electrical purposes or even silicon in computer chips. Researchers believe that it may be the first substance to successfully conduct electricity in computers with 100 percent efficiency.

According to lead researcher and Physics Prof. Shoucheng Zhang of Stanford University, "Eventually, we can imagine "stanene" being used for many more circuit structures, including replacing silicon in the hearts of transistors. Someday we might even call this area Tin Valley rather than Silicon Valley."

This new material made of tin was named "stanene," its prefix stan came from the metal's Latin name stannum while its suffix ene came from graphene, which has the same electrical attributes and purposes.

Researchers said that one layer of the atomic tin substance may gain "super status" in terms of electrical properties because of the various and expanse of uses where it may be applied. They have focused on topological insulators that are considered unique materials of special category. It only conducts electricity along the surface edges, instead of within its center.

"The magic of topological insulators is that by their very nature, they force electrons to move in defined lanes without any speed limit, like the German autobahn. As long as they're on the freeway -- the edges or surfaces -- the electrons will travel without resistance," explained Prof. Zhang.

These topological insulators become 100 percent efficient in conducting electricity through its surface when it is an atom thick. When it is in the form of single tin atom layer, the scientists could create a topological insulator which has the perfect temperature required by computer chips to work.

This useful material may be used in electric wiring which make up the microprocessor's complex and integral composition. These electrical connections provide free channels for the electrons to course freely which substantially saves the microprocessor a lot of power and reduces the temperature.
According to Prof Zhang, "Stanene could increase the speed and lower the power needs of future generations of computer chips, if our prediction is confirmed by experiments that are under way in several laboratories around the world."

The study was released by the SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory and published in the Physical Review Letters.