A new class of materials lets electrons move freely and predictably, which can improve both computing and clean manufacturing technologies.
Electrons are central to all technological and chemical processes, as they drive conductivity, catalysis, and energy transfer. In most materials, they are confined to atomic structures, limiting their flexibility.
Researchers develops a new class of materials that overcome this limitation by enabling electrons to exist in a free state. Their system, called Surface Immobilised Electrides, achieves this by attaching solvated electron precursors to stable solid surfaces such as diamond and silicon carbide.
These materials enable precise control over free electrons, opening new avenues for quantum technology and industrial chemistry. The research introduces a material in which electrons can move freely through open spaces rather than being bound to atoms. This control over electron behaviour can be used to build faster computing systems and improve energy-efficient manufacturing.
Previous electride materials (an unusual class of material) were unstable and difficult to reproduce, which prevented commercial use. Auburn’s approach improves both stability and scalability by depositing the materials directly onto solid surfaces. This makes the new electrides more durable and adaptable for integration into devices.
This structure allows the material’s electronic properties to be adjusted while maintaining stability. Depending on how the molecular structure is arranged, electrons can form small, isolated regions that act as quantum bits or spread out across the surface to support chemical reactions.
This dual capability links quantum computing and catalysis, enabling new designs for quantum processors and more efficient chemical production systems.
The ability to guide electrons at the nanoscale has implications across electronics, sensors, and industrial catalysts. It connects developments in quantum science with materials engineering, offering a shared platform for future technologies.
The study, published in ACS Materials Letters, marks progress toward practical materials that combine stability, tunability, and compatibility with current electronic systems.
