Nonvolatile graphene nanoflake shuttle memory

•Schematics of nanoscale graphene-flake shuttle-memory.•Energetic and the dynamic properties via molecular dynamics simulations.•Bistable vdW potential energy wells on the patterned graphite.•Shuttling movable graphene-flake between the bistable states.•Nanoscale switchable nonvolatile memory.

We present the possible schematics of nanoscale graphene-flake shuttle-memory, discuss its basic principles, and investigate the energetic and the dynamic properties via classical molecular dynamics simulations. Graphite flake surface, where the nanoscale graphene-flake’s stage of activity takes place, has a dumbbell shape, and a nanoscale graphene-flake is placed on its surface. The van der Waals interactions between the graphene-flake and the patterned graphite make the bistable potential energy wells in the larger surface area regions of the patterned graphite, and then the graphene-flake keeps its seat on one of the bistable positions, which is the place where the binary data is archived. Since the movable graphene-flake can be also shuttled between the bistable states through the narrow passageway, this proposed nano-graphene-flake shuttle-memory can be utilized from nanoscale switchable nonvolatile memory.

Graphical abstractGraphene-flake shuttle-memory is presented and its basic principles are investigated via classical molecular dynamics simulations. Graphite flake surface, where the nanoscale graphene-flake’s stage of activity takes place has a dumbbell shape, and a nanoscale graphene-flake is placed on its surface. The van der Waals interactions between the graphene-flake and the patterned graphite make the bistable potential energy wells in the larger surface area regions of the patterned graphite, and then the graphene-flake keeps its seat on one of the bistable positions, which is the place where the binary data is archived. Figure optionsDownload full-size imageDownload as PowerPoint slide