https://phys.org/news/2018-11-unique-interlayer-state-bilayer-heterostructure.html

"Based on the experimental findings, we developed a new model of the interaction between these materials that has wide ranging implications for how they behave and how they can be used," said Dr. Aubrey Hanbicki, research physicists and lead author of the study. "We show how the interaction between the layers can alter their behavior to create a new composite system."

This new class of materials composed of atomically thin sheets has the potential to impact a wide range of technologies important to the Navy and the Department of Defense (DoD), states Dr. Berend T. Jonker, principal investigator of the effort. These range from chemical sensors to detect chemical warfare agents, explosives and toxic industrial chemicals, to novel optoelectronic devices for use in single-photon emitters, nano-lasers, photovoltaics, and photodetectors.