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UIUC Researchers Create Light Emitting Transistor

Posted by timothy on from the I-want-it-to-take-aa-batteries dept.

thesilverbail writes "Researchers at the University of Illinois have demonstrated light emission from the base layer of a Bipolar Transistor. This discovery could be the beginning of an era in which photons are directed around a chip in much the same fashion as electrons have been maneuvered on conventional chips. It's reminiscent of the exciting days of the Miracle month November, 1947, when the transistor was first invented."

7 of 37 comments (clear)

  1. That's nothing by TheOnlyCoolTim · · Score: 4, Funny

    This one time I made some smoke emitting transistors.

    Tim

    --
    Omnia vestra castrorum habetur nobis.
    1. Re:That's nothing by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Funny
      This one time I made some smoke emitting transistors.

      Once the smoke gets out, they don't work anymore.

    2. Re:That's nothing by eclectro · · Score: 2, Funny

      Yes there is the Noise Emitting Diode (NED) too;

      Noise Emitting Diode (NED)
      When connected across a 1000 volt supply it makes a loud noise (once). The NED was discovered by Igor Pravaganda whom you'll recall worked many years trying to filter AC with electrolytics. He'll always be remembered as the father of the confetti generator.

      --
      Take the cheese to sickbay, the doctor should see it as soon as possible - B'Elanna Torres, "Learning Curve"
  2. Re:Damn by Micro$will · · Score: 2, Funny

    Sure, but assuming you've done something like I've done (try to switch several amps through a 2N2222 rated at .8 amps) isn't exactly considered "Solid State".

  3. Re:Damn by Patrik_AKA_RedX · · Score: 2, Funny

    Among the years I've invented several new technologies in class:

    The one-time self-deassembling capacitor. (put a high enough voltage on a elko to build one)

    The flash diode. (build a bridge rectifier and replace one diode with a zenerdiode)

    The automatic copper trace remover. (short a 7Ah lead accu through a trace on a circuit board. Capable of removing quite wide tracks)


    Guess I should take a patent on those. They must have millions of possible uses.

  4. my use by OwlofCreamCheese · · Score: 2, Funny

    I say we use this to make TVS with resolutions of ten trillion by ten trillion. then you can like... take a microscope to your tv and see the bacteria on the actors. I bet james earl jones has herpes.

    --
    -You're wasting your time. Alfador only likes me.
  5. Big deal by ScottForbes · · Score: 3, Funny

    I invented a light-emitting resistor in a UIUC circuit design course over ten years ago. It only worked once, though, and it burned my fingers.