Newly discovered state of matter could extend Moore's Law

Scientists at McGill University in Montreal have found a new state of matter they call "a quasi-three-dimensional electron crystal". The scientists believe chip makers will be able to take advantage of this strange state of matter to extend Moore's Law and create more densily packed transistors, or a new kind of transistor altogether.

Gervais believes the strange state of matter could help improve transistors as they approach the physical density limit imposed by the laws of physics in the coming decade or so.

"This issue is academic, but it's not just academic," said Gervais in a statement. "The same semiconductor materials we're working with are currently used in cell phones and other electronic devices. We need to understand quantum effects so we can use them to our own advantage and perhaps reinvent the transistor altogether. That way, progress in electronics will keep happening."

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Newly discovered state of matter could extend Moore's Law