A research team from the University of Michigan – Shanghai Jiao Tong University Joint Institute (UM-SJTU JI, JI hereafter) has published an article titled “Thermal Computing with Mechanical Transistors” in Advanced Functional Materials, a top-tier materials science journal with a Nature Index Impact Factor of 19. Featured on the inside cover of the journal, the article highlighted mechanical transistors developed by the research team and demonstrated thermal computing to supplement traditional electronic computing, which faces challenges such as high-power consumption, security vulnerabilities, and susceptibility to extreme environmental conditions like intense heat and radiation.
Led by two JI professors, Jaehyung Ju and Lei Shao, the team designed a multifunctional mechanical transistor equipped with a Kirigami thermomechanical sensor and a bistable actuator. This innovation enables in-memory computing for both combinational and sequential logic. The approach utilizes modular construction, symmetry breaking, and nonlinear materials to create logic gates and memory units that respond to environmental stimuli through thermal delay.
Journal cover page featuring JI team research
The research project was initiated by master student Chao Song and Professor Ju in 2020. After Song left JI for his further study, doctoral student Huyue Chen and Professor Shao joined the project. The team later invited other JI faculty members, including Professor Zhaoguang Wang (Thermal Engineering), Professor Yuljae Cho (Logic Gate Design), and Professor An Zou (Electronic Circuit Design), to collaborate.
JI team research diagrams on mechanical transistor
Speaking of the interdisciplinary achievement encompassing solid mechanics, thermal engineering, materials science and engineering, computer science, electrical engineering, and systems engineering, Professor Ju said: “JI offers a unique working environment that fosters collaboration among faculty with diverse technical backgrounds. We can leverage these benefits by staying humble and open to each other’s ideas to create a dynamically collaborative working environment at JI.”
Author Team Introduction
