Despite numerous attempts to find an alternative to silicon specialists in electronics, it still is a very important raw material for the industry. Sand, or silicon dioxide, is one of the most common substances in nature - it is about 40% of the Earth's , however, required for the production of crystalline silicon is very expensive, because it requires a process to obtain high (about 1500 � C) temperatures, and is quite harmful.
Professor of Chemistry and Materials Science Steven Maldonado (Stephen Maldonado) from the University of Michigan, along with two assistants, developed a method that will allow on crystalline silicon at a temperature of 80 degrees Celsius. The idea came to the professor in the head in the kitchen while cooking.
Maldonado noted that in a supersaturated solution of sugar crystals can appear spontaneously. He decided to apply this principle in relation to silicon, silicon tetrachloride dissolved in liquid gallium. When the solution has reached saturation, began to settle on the bottom of small silicon crystals. Industrial production in this way can be a lot cheaper and cleaner practiced now. Currently, scientists are working hard to make the resulting crystals large enough for widespread use.