Melting defects could lead to smaller, more powerful microchips

A technique invented in the lab of Princeton engineer Stephen Chou allows for the easy correction of defects and refinement of shapes in nanostructures. The "Open" method involves using a laser to briefly melt defects, which self correct before cooling. The "Capped" method prevents the technique from rounding off the structures. The "Guided" version causes the structures to grow toward a nearby plate, causing them to become not only smoother, but taller and thinner, which are all desirable traits for creating smaller, more powerful computer chips. Credit: Stephen Chou/Nature Nanotechnology