Natural clay is promising for sustainable quantum technology
by Robert Schreiber
Berlin, Germany (SPX) May 20, 2025
Quantum technologies are about to transform IT, communications and detection, and now researchers have discovered that a natural clay could play a crucial role in the more sustainable meeting. Unlike synthetic materials which often require highly controlled laboratory conditions, this clay offers an abundant, non -toxic and naturally active component.
“We have found a natural clay material with properties sought for use in quantum technology,” said Professor Jon Otto Fossum of the Norwegian University of Sciences and Technology University (NTNU). This discovery means that an active quantum material can come directly from nature, potentially reducing environmental costs and impacts.
Barbara Pacakova, researcher of the NTNU physics department and first author of the study, underlines the meaning of this breakthrough. “What we have found is essentially an active quantum component formed by nature. It is stable, non-toxic, abundant and appears in a structure which is already usable, especially exciting in the context of lasting materials,” she says.
Material has several essential critical properties for quantum technologies. It is practically two-dimensional works as a semiconductor and has an antiferromagnetic behavior. These three features are crucial for quantum devices operating at atomic scales:
Two -dimensional structure: essential for miniaturized atomic scale devices.
Semiconductive properties: allows an electrical conduction controlled, fundamental to modern electronics and photonics.
Antiferromagnetic behavior: a complex form of magnetism which can be exploited for advanced computer architectures such as spintronic.
Although the equipment shows a significant promise, it is not without challenges. It is not naturally antiferromagnetic at room temperature, which limits its immediate practical applications. However, Fossum remains optimistic about its potential in fields such as spintronic, photonics, magnetic sensors and neuromorphic computer science.
The research was directed by NTNU in collaboration with the Universidade de Sao Paulo in Brazil, the European Synchrotron Radiation Facility (ESRF) in France and Univerzita Karlova in the Czech Republic. This diversified international team reflects the growing importance of global collaboration in advanced materials science.
Research report:Natural 2D semiconductor in the antiferromagnetic fundamental state
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