Research from Japan’s Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST) institute suggests that a naturally occurring component in coffee may increase the efficiency of semiconductors.

Using a technique called vacuum deposition, the researchers created a thin coating of caffeic acid on a gold electrode within an organic semiconductor.

Using the Kelvin probe technique, it was discovered that this increased the current flowing through the semiconductor by a factor of 100.

If you could explain the procedure, what would you say it was?

Scientists found that quicker current flow could be achieved when a thin coating of caffeic acid developed on the electrode surface and the molecules of caffeic acid spontaneously aligned themselves on the electrode surface.

The Japanese researchers think this discovery might have practical implications, but it won’t mean you can pour coffee on your mobile workstation to speed up your rendering times.

Among them is the research and development of organic semiconductor devices that are completely biodegradable.

In spite of the fact that organic semiconductors like OLEDs and OPVs currently exist, the researchers highlighted the environmental consequences of discarding these technologies.

Electrode modification layers are now being used to speed up the passage of electric charges through semiconductors, and the researchers have pointed out how their usage “may severely influence aquatic creatures.”

The study suggests that the usage of caffeic acid, which comes from plants, might reduce the need of harmful chemicals in semiconductor manufacturing.