# 72. Spiderweb Inspired & Graphene Enhanced Microchips

- Show: [The Next Byte Podcast](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-next-byte-podcast)
- Published: 2022-05-31
- Length: 29m
- Page: https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-next-byte-podcast/2022-05-31-72-spiderweb-inspired-graphene-enhanced-microchips
- Listen: https://the-next-byte-wevolver.simplecast.com/episodes/72-spiderweb-inspired-graphene-enhanced-microchips-reTSpTD5

## Summary

Hosts Daniel and Farbod discuss two breakthroughs in microchip technology: a graphene-hexagonal boron nitride (HBN) heterostructure developed by the University of Michigan and Ohio State University, and spiderweb-inspired vibrational microchips created by students at Delft University of Technology. They explain how the graphene-HBN stack enables deep UV LEDs and potentially quantum computing by overcoming silicon's thermal and physical limits, while the spiderweb geometry allows precision sensors to operate at room temperature by isolating thermal noise. The episode highlights the role of molecular beam epitaxy in material synthesis and Bayesian optimization in designing bio-inspired mechanical structures.

## Chapters

- [0:00](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-next-byte-podcast/2022-05-31-72-spiderweb-inspired-graphene-enhanced-microchips#t=0) Introduction and Band Gap Basics
- [3:20](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-next-byte-podcast/2022-05-31-72-spiderweb-inspired-graphene-enhanced-microchips#t=200) Graphene and Hexagonal Boron Nitride Synthesis
- [12:19](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-next-byte-podcast/2022-05-31-72-spiderweb-inspired-graphene-enhanced-microchips#t=739) Applications: Quantum Computing and Deep UV LEDs
- [16:27](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-next-byte-podcast/2022-05-31-72-spiderweb-inspired-graphene-enhanced-microchips#t=987) Spiderweb-Inspired Vibrational Microchips

## Topics

- [Chips, FPGAs & semiconductors](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/chips-and-fpgas)
- [Materials & manufacturing processes](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/materials-and-processes)
- [AI & machine learning](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/ai-and-machine-learning)

## Most relevant to

makers and hobbyists

## Mentioned

- Mouser Electronics (company)
- Wevolver (company)
- University of Michigan (other)
- Ohio State University (other)
- Delft University of Technology (other)
- Graphene (material)
- Hexagonal Boron Nitride (material)
- Molecular Beam Epitaxy (tool)

## Related episodes from other shows

- [Ep 124: Hard Drivin' with Graphene, Fooled by Lasers, Etching with Poison Acid, and All The Linux Commands](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/hackaday-podcast/2021-06-25-ep-124-hard-drivin-with-graphene-fooled-by-lasers-etching-with-poison-acid-and-a) (Hackaday Podcast)
- [Ep 214: Jet Engine Hair Dryer, Comic Sans Type Balls, and Belief in Graphene](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/hackaday-podcast/2023-04-14-ep-214-jet-engine-hair-dryer-comic-sans-type-balls-and-belief-in-graphene) (Hackaday Podcast)
- [Ep 356: Nanoprinting, Vibe Coding, and Keebin' with Kristina, IN HELL!](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/hackaday-podcast/2026-02-06-ep-356-nanoprinting-vibe-coding-and-keebin-with-kristina-in-hell) (Hackaday Podcast)
- [Daaaamn We're Duuuummmb](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2023-07-17-daaaamn-were-duuuummmb) (The Amp Hour)
- [Ep 314: It's Pi, but Also PCBs in Living Color and Ultrasonic Everything](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/hackaday-podcast/2025-03-28-ep-314-its-pi-but-also-pcbs-in-living-color-and-ultrasonic-everything) (Hackaday Podcast)

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