Stanford researchers have drastically reduced the heat produced by electron flow in semiconductors by using the Quantum Spin Hall Effect, which aligns the spin of electrons.

Under these extraordinary conditions, the current flows only along the edges of the semiconductor sheet and does not generate destructive heat, reducing heat limitations to increased chip speed.

Quantum Spin Hall Effect chips might also have an advantage over nanotubes and other future chip technologies because they can be made from materials already familiar to chip makers.