Quantum Tunneling Composite

Quantum Tunneling Composites (or QTCs) are composite materials of metals and non-conducting elastomeric binder, used as pressure sensors. As the name implies, they operate using quantum tunneling: without pressure, the conductive elements are too far apart to conduct electricity; when pressure is applied, they move closer and electrons can tunnel through the insulator. The effect is far more pronounced than would be expected from classical (non-quantum) effects alone, as classical electrical resistance is linear (proportional to distance), while quantum tunneling is exponential with decreasing distance, allowing the resistance to change by a factor of up to 10¹² between pressured and unpressured states.

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QTCs were discovered in 1996 and PeraTech Ltd was established to investigate them further.

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