MIT researchers have developed a new type of 3D transistor that could be more energy-efficient and powerful than current silicon-based transistors.

The novel 3D transistors have been designed using ultrathin semiconductor materials.

“This is a technology with the potential to replace silicon, so you could use it with all the functions that silicon currently has, but with much better energy efficiency,” said Yanjie Shao, an MIT postdoc and lead author.