Graphene drumheads create quantum dots

Tightening or easing the tension on a drumhead will alter the drum sound. This is also the case for drumheads made from graphene. However, instead of changing the sound, stretching graphene will alter its electrical properties. Researchers at the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) and the University of Maryland have shown that subjecting graphene to mechanical strain can mimic the effects of magnetic fields and produce a quantum dot. This quantum dot is a new type of semiconductor with an array of potential uses in electronic devices. Graphene is able to conduct electricity with little resistance at room temperature and is a top candidate for various applications from flexible displays to high-speed transistors.