Seminar Explores the Future of Nanoelectronics Through Atomically Precise Graphene Nanoribbons
On March 27, 2026, the University of Arizona hosted a research seminar titled “Integrating Atomically Precise Graphene Nanoribbons into Electronic Devices,” presented by Dr. Kentaro Yumigeta, Postdoctoral Research Associate in Materials Science and Engineering. The seminar took place in the Harshbarger Building and brought together students, researchers, and faculty interested in next-generation electronic materials.
During the presentation, Dr. Yumigeta introduced atomically precise graphene nanoribbons (GNRs), ultra-narrow one-dimensional carbon semiconductors whose electronic properties — including bandgap, edge structure, and width — are defined at the molecular level through bottom-up chemical synthesis. These materials are emerging as promising candidates for nanoelectronic technologies beyond conventional silicon-based devices.
The talk began by addressing the growing limitations of continued silicon transistor scaling, highlighting the need for alternative materials capable of sustaining future advances in electronics. Dr. Yumigeta then discussed how graphene nanoribbons offer a pathway toward atomically engineered semiconductors with highly tunable electronic behavior.
A central focus of the seminar was the challenge of integrating GNRs into functional electronic devices. Because bottom-up synthesis typically occurs on catalytic metal substrates, transferring nanoribbons onto insulating platforms without compromising atomic precision remains a major obstacle. Dr. Yumigeta presented several innovative materials science strategies developed by his research group to address this issue.
Among the approaches discussed were a low-melting-point metal–assisted transfer process that eliminates chemical etchants and operates below 100 °C, enabling wafer-scale processing; a gentle dry-etching technique designed to remove metal growth substrates while preserving material integrity; and efforts toward the direct synthesis of graphene nanoribbons on insulating substrates, removing the need for post-growth transfer altogether.
The seminar concluded with a discussion of future directions aimed at translating atomically precise materials from laboratory demonstrations into practical electronic technologies, emphasizing scalability, device integration, and real-world applications.
Dr. Yumigeta conducts his research in the Advanced Nanoelectronics and Nanomaterials Laboratory (ANNLab), led by Prof. Zafer Mutlu at the University of Arizona. His work focuses on quantum materials, scalable synthesis of low-dimensional systems, and nanoelectronic device integration. Since joining the university in 2024, he has received the Outstanding Postdoctoral Scholar Award and the University of Arizona Sursum Fellowship, and currently serves as principal investigator on a seed project funded by the NSF New Frontiers of Sound (NewFoS) Science and Technology Center.
The seminar provided attendees with insight into how atomically precise materials may shape the future of electronics and highlighted ongoing interdisciplinary research advancing nanoelectronics at the University of Arizona.