It could be used for making photovoltaics, but applications as a light sensor are more likely. ‘So there is room for improvement.’ Another advantage of germanane over silicon is that shining light on the material produces or enhances a current. Also, the electron mobility is much higher at low temperatures (77 Kelvin) than at room temperature. ‘We still have to find out how this happens there’.
![germanium transistor germanium transistor](https://i.ebayimg.com/images/g/rjIAAOSwq~tZS16W/s-l300.jpg)
The measurements Madhushankar made in this device indicate excellent electronic properties, although the electrodes appear to affect the germanane. Further, Madhushankar adds: ‘It's theoretically predicted that in germanane, charges move about five times faster than in germanium, which means you can make devices which operate at very high speeds.’ Improvement Thus, he made a germanane transistor, which had never been done before with this material. By applying a voltage bias across the silicon substrate, he was able to ‘gate’ (control) the current flow in germanane. He deposited very thin flakes onto a silicon substrate and connected them to gold electrodes which allowed him to send a current through the flakes. Madhushankar obtained germanane crystals from fellow researchers at the University of Ioannina in Greece and was able to produce thin flakes, using the now classic ‘ Scotch tape method’. The result, called germanane, turned out to be much more stable.
![germanium transistor germanium transistor](https://www.radio741.com/26820-large_default/2n410-pnp-germanium-transistor-rca.jpg)
However, it turned out that germanene could be fortified by adding hydrogen atoms on both sides of the layer, using a chemical process.