Researchers build atom-thin 2D thermometers that can be embedded directly in processors — can detect temperature changes in 100 nanoseconds, millions of times faster than the blink of an eye

Researchers at Penn State have developed microscopic temperature sensors small enough to embed directly into processor chips. These sensors, made from a new class of two-dimensional materials, can detect temperature changes in just 100 nanoseconds, significantly faster than existing sensors. The sensors, which are one square micrometer in size, can be integrated into the silicon of chips, allowing for more precise and rapid thermal monitoring. The sensors are built from bimetallic thiophosphates, a material not previously used in thermal sensing, and are designed to be compact, accurate, and energy-efficient. While the technology is still in the proof-of-concept stage, it shows promise for improving on-die thermal monitoring in future chip designs.