Tech
New organic thin-film tunnel transistors for wearable and other small electronics
To meet the growing demands of flexible and wearable electronic systems, such as smart watches and biomedical sensors, electronics engineers are seeking high-performance transistors that can efficiently modulate electrical current while maintaining mechanical flexibility.
Thin-film transistors (TFTs), which are comprised of thin layers of conducting, semiconducting and insulating materials, have proved to be particularly promising for large-area flexible and wearable electronics, while also enabling the creation of thinner displays and advanced sensors.
Despite their potential, the energy-efficiency with which these transistors can switch electrical current has proved difficult to improve. This is due to the so-called thermionic limit, a theoretical threshold that delineates the lowest possible voltage required for a transistor to boost electrical current by a factor of 10 at room temperature when switching between “off” and “on” states.
Researchers at Soochow University and other institutes have developed a new TFT based on organic materials that could bypass this limitation, as it operates below the thermionic limit. The transistor, introduced in a paper published in Nature Electronics, was found to amplify signals with remarkable efficiency.
“Our work was driven by a fundamental challenge in wearable electronics and Internet of Things (IoT): the pursuit of high-performance devices with ultra-low-power consumption,” Jiansheng Jie, senior author of the paper, told Tech Xplore.
“Conventional organic thin-film transistors (OTFTs) are inherently limited by the thermionic emission mechanism, which sets a theoretical minimum for the subthreshold swing (SS)—a key metric that determines how efficiently a transistor can switch—of 60 mV dec-1 at room temperature. This inherent limitation results in excessive power dissipation during switching operations, posing a major barrier to energy-efficient operation.”
This recent study builds on recent works that highlighted the promise of so-called tunnel field-effect transistors (TFETs) based on inorganic semiconductors. These transistors were found to overcome the limitations of conventional transistors, leveraging a quantum mechanical process known as band-to-band tunneling.
“We sought to translate these advantages into the field of organic electronics,” said Jie. “Our central objective was to develop organic thin-film tunnel transistors (OTFTTs) capable of sub-60 mV dec-1 performance, thereby breaking the fundamental thermionic limit that has long governed conventional OTFTs.
“By demonstrating such behavior in a solution-processable, flexible organic platform, our research addresses a critical gap in the technological evolution of organic electronics and paves the way toward low-voltage, highly efficient flexible circuits for next-generation wearable and IoT applications.”
The new OTFTT developed by the researchers replaces the thermionic injection mechanism that drives the operation of conventional TFTs with band-to-band tunneling. This process allows charge carriers to pass through the energy barrier directly and at extremely low voltages, significantly boosting the devices’ switching efficiency.
“The key innovation lies in the design of a hybrid inorganic-organic source-channel heterojunction,” explained Jie.
“We combined molybdenum trioxide (MoO3), an inorganic metal oxide with a deep-conduction-band, with the 2,7-dioctyl[1]-benzothieno[3,2-b][1]benzothiophene (C8-BTBT) single-crystalline thin film, which has a relatively low highest occupied molecular orbital (HOMO) energy level. This creates a ‘broken-gap’ alignment, where the HOMO of C8-BTBT lies above the conduction band (CB) of MoO3.”
The configuration of the team’s transistor prompts the thermally excited tail of carriers originating from the MoO3 source to be sharply truncated. This in turn effectively suppresses classical thermionic emission processes, making band-to-band tunneling the dominant carrier injection mechanism.
“Meanwhile, by introducing a molecular decoupling layer (BPE-PDCTI) at the heterojunction interface, the Fermi-level pinning effect was effectively alleviated and the tunneling barrier height was further reduced,” said Jie.
“This strategic design enables the device to trigger charge band-to-band tunneling at an extremely low supply voltage. As a result, our OTFTTs overcame the 60 mV dec-1 thermionic limit on SS, achieving the lowest SS of 24.2 ± 5.6 mV dec-1 among the existing thin-film transistor technologies, alongside the record-high signal amplification efficiency of 101.2 ± 28.3 S A-1.”
The ultra-low SS yielded by the newly developed transistor is highly favorable for the development of low-power signal amplification circuits. In initial tests, circuits based on the transistor were found to achieve a gain in amplification of over 537 V V−1 at an ultra-low power consumption below 0.8 nW.
“Our OTFTTs break the fundamental thermionic limit—a long-standing theoretical ceiling on SS (60 mV dec⁻¹ at room temperature) that has constrained the energy efficiency of conventional thin-film transistors for decades,” said Jie.
“This breakthrough not only redefines the performance boundaries of organic electronics but also enables a new class of ultra-low-power devices. The practical implications are substantial. Our OTFTTs are ideally suited for energy-constrained applications such as wearable health monitors, implantable biosensors, and self-powered IoT nodes.”
Notably, the OTFTT developed by Jie and his colleagues is compatible with existing processing and electronics fabrication strategies. In the future, it could be improved further and used to develop a wide range of high precision sensing devices, including trackers for the diagnosis or monitoring of specific medical conditions, environmental sensing systems and neuromorphic (brain-inspired) computing hardware.
“In bridging the gap between the intrinsic physical limitations of organic semiconductors and the stringent efficiency demands of next-generation technologies, this work represents a critical step toward intelligent, pervasive, and environmentally benign electronic systems,” said Jie.
Other researchers could soon build on the team’s design and set out to develop similar OTFTTs. Meanwhile, Jie and his colleagues plan to continue improving their device, for instance, by optimizing its performance via the careful engineering of energy levels at the interface between the organic materials it is based on.
To do this, they will select organic semiconductors with reduced bandgaps and lower carrier effective mass, while also creating high-conductivity interfacial decoupling layers that could enhance the transistor’s tunneling efficiency and performance.
“We will also expand the technology to n-type OTFTTs to enable all-organic tunneling logic circuits, addressing the current gap in low-power organic logic applications,” added Jie.
“Moreover, we plan to deploy OTFTTs in high-precision biomedical signal amplification (e.g., EEG, EMG), ultra-sensitive environmental sensing (e.g., trace gas detection, low-light imaging), and low-power IoT signal processing.
“Finally, we will continue developing scalable integration techniques for the large-scale fabrication of the OTFTTs on flexible substrates, aiming to accelerate the industrial adoption of high-performance, energy-efficient organic electronic systems.”
Written for you by our author Ingrid Fadelli, edited by Sadie Harley, and fact-checked and reviewed by Robert Egan—this article is the result of careful human work. We rely on readers like you to keep independent science journalism alive.
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More information:
Wei Deng et al, Organic thin-film tunnel transistors, Nature Electronics (2025). DOI: 10.1038/s41928-025-01462-7.
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You don’t need a four-figure Swiss movement to know what time it is—or look good doing it. One of the most wonderful things about “budget” watches today (although it’s kinder, or more appropriate, to say “affordable”) is that brands have learned to take design cues from luxury timepieces while quietly getting very good at the fundamentals: reliable movements, thoughtful materials, and proportions that don’t scream “cheap.” Take a look at the Orient in WIRED’s selection below as a prime example.
It could easily be argued that we’re in a golden age of affordable horology (see our full guide here for definitive proof), where, if you choose wisely, $350 or less can buy everything from a desirable dress watch, or a high-end collaboration, and even a supremely capable and classically chic diver. Pieces that will see you right from sunken wreck to boardroom table. And let’s not forget the retro allure of digital watches right now, either, with the Shark Classic not only being one of our favorites here, but at $70, it’s also the most affordable.
Moreover, should you decide to bag more than a few (and who could blame you at these prices?), we’ve even got the perfect carry case picked out: Nanuk’s IP67 waterproof and dustproof NK-7 resin $175 910 Watch Case (pictured above) with patented PowerClaw latching system—ideal for securing any timepiece collection, be it bargain or big budget.
Be sure to check out our other wearable coverage, including the Best Budget Watches Under $1,000, Best Smartwatches, Best Fitness Trackers, and Best Smart Rings.
Same as the Five Senses deck above, this scratch-off card set happens in sequence, with optional “level up” cards to really push intimacy, and separate cards for each partner with secret directions. For this date, you’ll both bring a red item that you show at certain points to signify that you’re open to physical touch. Then you’ll go out to dinner and have intentional conversation, and every time a partner pulls out the red item, you’ll follow the prompts to initiate increasingly intimate physical acts, ranging from hand holding to neck kisses. So there we were, at Illegal Taqueria, edging each other over al pastor tacos (I kid).
Many of the cards urged a partner not to interrupt or solve problems, but ask questions and talk dirty. My date said, “I think this may be for couples who hate each other.” I had to agree. The second part of the date involved driving and stoplights, but since we were in Brooklyn, we walked down the trash-filled sidewalk and pretended to be a suburban couple on the fritz instead.
The rest of the date included buying things for sexy time, like whipped cream and blindfolds. I’m vegan and had no desire to lick cream from chest hair, so we came home, stripped, and did our best to keep our eyes closed (in lieu of a blindfold). It was overall a strange experience for us both, I think. If you and your partner need a lot of prompting to connect, compliment, and be physical, this set is for you.
Date: Greg, 10/10 (Note: I didn’t find this man on Hinge; I met him the old-fashioned way, in a bar at 2 am.)
Box: 6/10
Valentine’s Day is a sneaky one. It’s easy to let grabbing fun and unique Valentine’s Day gifts fall to the wayside while you recover from the Christmas holidays, but it’s not one to miss if you have a partner you want to shower with a little extra love.
If you’re feeling too wiped to shop, good news: I’ve got you covered. I’ve rounded up some of our favorite ideas for the year’s most romantic holiday, from Lego sets you can build as a date and date boxes filled with ideas to last you all year long to gorgeous flowers you can get delivered in a snap and cozy robes you’ll want to lounge in together. This guide all the Valentine’s Day gifts we’re excited to give this year.
Curious about what else we recommend? Don’t miss our Gifts for Lovers, Gifts for Moms, Gifts for Plant Lovers, Gifts for People Who Work from Home, and Best Blind Boxes for more gifts and shopping ideas.
Table of Contents
For a Gift That’s a Date
My husband and I are planning our fourth or fifth year of our favorite Valentine’s Day Date: building Lego sets together. We’ve done this for years, and then we get to enjoy the fruits (well, flowers) of our labor around the home forevermore. These sets serve as both the gift and the activity. Building the dried-flower centerpiece together was probably my all-time favorite, since you can each simultaneously work on one half and then click it together at the end, followed by each building a different-color bonsai tree.
For a Daytime Adventure
Retrospec
Weekender Crew Multi-Person Inflatable Paddle Board
Building on the idea of date activities that involve gifts, this multi-person paddleboard is a fun way to spend time outdoors while staying together the entire time. It’s massive, almost raftlike, so that it can support the weight of up to three adults, but once we got the hang of the size, it wasn’t hard to maneuver. Sometimes we’d both row together, sometimes I’d let my husband do all the work. It made for a lovely daytime adventure together, and I can’t wait for the next warm day for my husband and me to take this out on our local harbor again. It’s big enough that we could bring our son, though it’s much more peaceful as a date activity. It’s inflatable, and I’d recommend grabbing an electric filler since it takes a lot of manual pumping otherwise.
For Flowers on Demand
Photograph: Boutayna Chokrane
The classic go-to for Valentine’s Day is, of course, flowers. WIRED reviewer Boutayna Chokrane tested several flower delivery services to find the best one to get sent to your home, and her favorite is the Ode à la Rose, specifically the Edith arrangements. The business was created by two former French bankers, and the arrangements’ design choices feel distinctly chic in a way only French romance can. The Edith bouquet is entirely Columbus double tulips from Holland, and come hand-tied in a travel vase a fun pink box. The flowers ship nationwide, and there’s same-day shipping in New York, Chicago, Los Angeles, Austin, Miami, and Washington, DC.
For a Jewelry Upgrade
Maybe you’ve already exchanged rings, or maybe you’re looking for your first set without committing to I do. Either way, the most popular fitness tracker to get these days is a smart ring, and Oura is the ruler of the space. The latest model is the Ring 4, and it comes in both metallic and ceramic finishes. Many of my friends love theirs. I wish I had one, but they don’t make sense for my husband and me since we’re an aerialist and rock climber duo. Live my dreams for me and get this for your valentine (and yourself)!
For Your Fave Photographer
If your romantic partner loves to capture photos, a digital photo frame is the perfect gift (and you’ll benefit, too, as likely the number one fan of their photography!). I’m the photographer of our house, and our Aura frame is my husband’s favorite gadget because it showcases photos I’ve captured of our son and life together over the years. Our wedding photos can be found on there too, as well as the occasional good photo of me that he’s captured. It’s a monthly ritual for me to go through my camera roll and add my latest favorites. Aura’s my favorite because the range of frames is beautiful, and the storage is unlimited with no fees or subscriptions.
For the Cozy Couple
One of my favorite souvenirs I have around the house is a matching robe set that my husband and I bought on our honeymoon. Our all-cotton robes are from the Ten Thousand Waves Japanese spa in New Mexico (the final destination of a Southwestern US road trip) and are great for taking to the pool or using after a shower on a hot day. But I still love a good fluffy robe during the colder season, especially since it can double as a towel. Get your partner one of these cozy robes to give them something luxurious to use after their next everything shower or quick rinse-off. Cozy Earth’s robe is crazy-soft thanks to its blend of cotton and bamboo viscose, while this flannel robe from L.L.Bean is one of our favorites for anyone who works from home.
For Your Inner Theater Kids
If your partner loves to sing along to the Wicked soundtrack and is regularly suggesting karaoke as a group activity, then give them the gift of making karaoke happen anywhere with these gadgets. The Bonaok Karaoke Microphone is one of our favorite karaoke microphones, letting you sing anywhere without lugging bulky equipment. The Ikarao Shell S2 is a portable device with two mics, a built-in screen, and support for streaming services, so you can sing along to your favorite songs on Spotify.
For the Fitness Couple
After the Christmas season, I saw a video on my For You page that roasted how every mom had clearly gotten a matching workout outfit set for Christmas and was out wearing it on Boxing Day. As a mom myself, all I could think of was how much I would love another matching workout set. I’m serious. They’re great for workouts, quick errands, and day care or school drop-off. My latest favorite set is from Bombshell Sportswear. The set is both super soft and fits securely without any annoying squeezing. It’s getting the most compliments of all my sets. I wish I’d sized up with the bolero, but as an aerialist, my lat muscles are a little bulkier than an everyday person’s.
Have a partner who doesn’t need a matching set? Try some fantastic running shoes instead, which are even more useful for both workouts and daily life. WIRED reviewer Adrienne So says these R.A.D. shoes are fantastic for a range of uses, as they’re designed for gym, HIIT, CrossFit, and hybrid workouts and are soft enough for treadmill running. They look fantastic, too.
For the Beloved Bookworms
A Kindle is always a great gift for anyone who reads in any format. Funny enough, my siblings and I are about to buy one for my dad for his birthday (two weeks before Valentine’s Day), and I recommended my favorite pick, the Kindle Paperwhite, since the standard Kindle is a little too small for his 6-foot-4 frame to hunch down over, and he doesn’t read enough illustrated books to make the Colorsoft the right jump for him. If they already have a Kindle, I’m still in love with my matching PopSockets Kindle case and grip, and they’ve since launched a new Bookish collection with beautiful designs.
For Some Bedroom Spice
Looking to spice things up? These adventure boxes can add more fun to the bedroom without creating additional mental work for you and your partner. An offshoot from the Adventure Challenge, “The Adventure Challenge … In Bed” scratch-off date book has 50 date ideas designed specifically to help facilitate fun and connection in the bedroom. The dates are categorized by activity type in sections like food, dancing, “sexploration,” and more. Each date is covered by a black box, with only icons indicating required fields such as duration, cost, and more. Meanwhile, the Fantasy Box is a date-night box service offering a range of themes, from sexy wine tasting to a kinky poker night, all designed to help couples communicate and connect more intimately. Before opening the box, each partner will fill out a questionnaire of potential intimate acts, and this box comes with everything needed for a truly kinky night in: a satin blindfold, pleather paddle, lingerie, lube, massage gel, feather wand, mini vibrator, and silky wrist restraints. —Molly Higgins
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