What is Quantum Tunnelling Composite?
Introduction
Quantum tunneling composites (QTCs) are an extraordinary group of materials that employ quantum tunneling for sensing and switching functions, owing to their unique characteristics compared to conventional circuit elements. This usually exists in the form of thin layers supplied as composites made of metal particles and an elastomeric binder where they display an incredible responsiveness to the application of pressure as well as deformation.
Importance and relevance in modern technology
The value of QTCs is the ability to produce a significant change in a given material’s electrical properties in response to a mechanical force, which has a variety of applications that will certainly reshape a great many of today’s technologies including touch-sensitive in electronic goods through to pressure sensing in medicine and robotics applications. The presented article aims to give an overview of these new materials, covering the basics, their architecture, and mode of operation, as well as the broad uses associated with these advanced structures.
Fundamentals of Quantum Tunnelling
Explanation of Quantum tunnelling
It’s a quantum mechanical effect in which a particle, such as an electron can penetrate through a potential energy barrier despite not having enough energy to overcome it. They use quantum tunnelling: in the absence of pressure, the conducting elements of the hole and the electron are too far to transfer the electric charges; upon applying pressure they come nearer and electrons can sneak through the insulating barrier.
This extends far beyond classical (non-quantum) effects, which are distance-related. Electrical resistance and quantum tunneling, however, vary exponentially with decreased distance, depending on the pressure. Hence resistance may change by a factor of up to 1012 between pressure and no pressure.
Historical background and key discoveries
The discovery of quantum tunneling composites dates back to 1996 when technician David Lussey was searching for the best way to create an electrically conductive adhesive made from epoxy resin. During a period of experimenting with electro-luminescent screens, Lussey stumbled upon the marvelous characteristics of these materials. Hence he founded Peratech Ltd, a company that specializes in the advancement of QTC technology.
Structure and Composition of QTC
Description of composite materials
Quantum tunneling composites are made of a polymer or elastomeric base or matrix such as silicone rubber or rubber with metal particles typically nickel involved. The quantitative distribution, configuration, and dispersion of these metal particles in the binder matrix are critical to the material’s response.
How does QTC leverage quantum tunneling phenomena?
As a result in the inactive state, the conductive metal particles are much apart to enable the flow of electrons. However, since the QTC material is being deformed or pressurized, the particles come close together, allowing electrons to pass through the insulating binder by ‘tunneling’. It’s this quantum tunneling effect that causes a significant change in the electrical resistance of the material which can be applied in sensing and switching functions.
In comparison with regular conductive materials wherein the electrical resistance changes with the distance inversely in a direct proportion. Quantum Tunnelling Composites offer a far more sensitive response to the stress or pressure applied to the material. This rather peculiar characteristic renders QTCs highly applicable in a vast of sensing and switching techniques.
Applications of QTC
There are several applications of QTC in many industries exploiting their exceptional sensing and switching capabilities.
Pressure and Touch Sensing:
The major and more prominent use of QTCs has been in the application of pressure and touch sensing. There is an appearance of a Quantum tunnelling effect where QTCs seem to possess a high and low resistance profile when pressed or deformed. Making them suitable for application in touchpads, touch screens, and other interfaces where they should be able to sense even the slightest of contacts to the heaviest.
As for the QTCs, they are quite different from the force-sensing resistors. They do not have the percolation regime that would mean an increase in resistance to stress. However, the constant increase of the rate of change of resistance makes it very suitable for the development of highly sensitive and accurate touch sensors that transform the interface between man and machine.
Strain and Deformation Sensing
This is also why QTCs can be aptly applied to strain and deformation sensing. The materials’ ability to detect even the slightest changes in shape or geometry has led to their use in a variety of applications, such as:
- Structural health monitoring of buildings, bridges, and other structures.
- Clothing electronics and smart fabrics for gesture and position monitoring.
- Robotics and haptic feedback are the technologies that can provide solutions to various technical problems. It can also serve as the technology that can support this criterion.
Switches and Controls
The bi-state-like switching properties of QTCs have also been utilized in areas of switches and controls. Thus, QTC-based switches can be employed in numerous applications. It includes end-user consumer goods and industrial devices requiring consistent and prompt control inputs.
Pressure-Sensitive Adhesives and Coatings
Because of the high elasticity of QTCs, they have been integrated into pressure-sensitive adhesives and coatings by engineers. These materials can be applied to surfaces to create touch-sensitive interfaces or to provide pressure-sensing capabilities for various applications, such as:
- Haptic feedback in human-computer interface.
- Pressure mapping in health care and athletics
- Joined interfaces on various forms that can be tailored to the user making it easier to use.
Emerging Applications
Therefore, as researchers and developers continue advancing the field of QTCs, they are discovering new and fascinating uses. Researchers are exploring the use of QTCs in areas such as:
- Smart clothing and fashionable electronics for health and rehabilitation.
- Wearable and stretchable electronics to accommodate themselves with the curvilinear surface of the human anatomy.
- Electrochemical energy storage devices, use the favorable electrical characteristics of the materials.
The unique capabilities and the ability of Quantum Tunnelling Composites to morph under stimulus have attracted the attention of scientists engineers technologists and innovation across the global communities. As the years go by, this technology will advance, and as it does, expect QTCs to become a critical factor in the further advancement of sensing electronics and other related technologies.
Advantages of QTC
The unique properties of quantum tunneling composites offer several key advantages over traditional conductive materials:
- High Sensitivity and Precision:
The exponential characteristics in QTCs regarding the resistance and the deformation enable accurate and sensitive sensing capacities.
- Durability and Flexibility:
In this way, the strong, elastomeric materials compose QTCs, making them strong and resistant to fatigue. Under this, the components can deform for many cycles without any loss in their performance.
- Low Power Consumption:
Such sensitivity of QTCs helps incorporate low-power electronic circuits to different applications and hence power consumption is minimized.
- Enhanced Performance:
Compared to the traditional conductive material, QTC has enhanced capability of sensing and operation in terms of pressure and deformation. Hence the enhanced performance when used in sensing and switching applications.
Conclusion
Thus, quantum tunneling composites are considered to be a great leap forward in the development of material science. It provides a wide opportunity for solutions to modern technician problems. As future research and development in this area arise the application domain of QTCs is to broaden in the coming years to modify how we interface with and use technology.
