TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — Taiwan researchers from National Cheng Kung University (NCKU) developed a highly conductive and wear-resistant alloy for semiconductors and passive components.

According to an NCKU press release on Thursday (July 4), the team used coating technology and atomic-level surface techniques to develop the high-entropy material. Combinations of different elements can help produce new materials, opening up new material applications, the school said, per CNA.

Department of Electrical Engineering Professor Shih Chuan-feng (施權峰), who led the team, said this research helps us further understand conductivity mechanisms in high-entropy alloys. It holds the potential for revolutionary applications in the semiconductor, connector, communication, and passive component industries, he added.

Department of Materials Science Professor Hsu Wen-dung (許文東), also on the team, said previous research on high-entropy alloys focused on mechanical properties. However, he added that expanding research into optical and electrical properties for semiconductor applications is exciting.

“Through computational simulations, the team developed predictive models for the optical and electrical properties of high-entropy alloys, accelerating their application in optoelectronic semiconductors,” Hsu explained.

The team’s research was published in academic journal Nature Communications on May 29.