IBM creates first graphene-based circuit

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ARMONK, N.Y., June 10 (UPI) -- IBM, which has headquarters in Armonk, N.Y., has created the world's first graphene-based integrated circuit on a single chip.

The demonstration chip is a radio frequency "mixer" capable of producing frequencies up to 10 gigahertz and represents IBM's success in creating graphene-based integrated circuits that will provide "dual use" technology for systems such as cellphones and military communications, the company said Friday.

As a major source of funding for the IBM research was provided by the U.S. Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency, analysts say one of the first uses of the graphene-based integrated circuit chips will be to provide secure communications between military pilots, as the ultra-high frequencies generated the graphene-based integrated circuit chips make them well-adapted to secure military applications.

The most difficult task for the IBM research team, led by Phaedon Avouris, was getting the graphene to adhere to other electronic components, an effort that took a year to accomplish.