2019 – Posted in: Daily News

Ultra-sensitive quantum thermometer

For: Preliminary

Topics covered: Quantum thermometer, its applications, Quantum dots, Graphene

News Flash

Researchers at Jamia Millia Islamia, New Delhi, have developed an ultra-sensitive quantum thermometer using graphene quantum dots.

The thermometer can precisely measure a wide range of temperature: 27 degree C to –196 degree C. The thermometer has high sensitivity when measuring different temperatures and can measure very minute (micro Kelvin) changes in temperature.

Widespread applications in different projects

In cryogenic temperature sensing.
Since the sensor has high sensitivity and ability to measure minute changes in temperature, it will be useful in the pharmaceutical industry, healthcare to measure the incubation temperature of biological cells and molecules
In the automobile industry to measure the ignition temperature within the engine.

How the Sensor was made?

The researchers first prepared graphene oxide and chemically made it reduced graphene oxide. So by using reduced graphene oxide it is easy to synthesise in large-scale materials having properties similar to graphene. During the reduction process, quantum dots are formed in the grapheme oxide.
The reduced graphene oxide having quantum dots is mixed with a ceramic (aluminium oxide), to produce the sensor.
The reduced graphene oxide flakes containing the quantum dots (measuring 3-6 nanometre in size) are dispersed in the ceramic; the ceramic does not interfere with the sensor response but provides rigidity to the film.

The synthesis process is extremely cost effective, has high yield and batch fabrication is possible. One of the main advantages is that this device can be made to any shape and dimension.

Graphene

Graphene is known as the wonder material and it consists of a single layer carbon with a hexagonal lattice. Graphene is the strongest materials ever tested. It conducts heat and electricity effectively. It is nearly transparent. Graphene has a melting point of 6000K.

Quantum Dot

Quantum dots are tiny particles or nanocrystals of a semiconducting material with diameters in the range of 2-10 nanometers (10-50 atoms). They were first discovered in 1980. Quantum dots are artificial semiconductor nanoparticles that have found applications in composites, solar cells and fluorescent biological labels.

Source: The Hindu

You can follow us on LinkedIn and for more updates related to UPSC IAS Preparation, Like our Facebook Page and subscribe our Diligent IAS Youtube Channel