Beta-gallium-oxide-based electronics can withstand both temperature extremes (Image credit: Getty Images) Scientists at the King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST) in Saudi Arabia have created electronic devices that continue to function perfectly in both extreme cold and extreme heat. In a press release on Monday, the researchers said their devices, made of gallium oxide, can withstand temperatures ranging from near absolute zero to 500°C (932°F).For context, every component in the device you are reading this on would likely fail before 200°C (392°F). The devices could have far-reaching applications across space applications where extreme temperature swings are the norm. Article continues below At extremely low temperatures, electrons lose the thermal energy required to move, becoming trapped — a phenomenon known as freeze-out. “In practice, most conventional electronics start to fail as you go below about 100 K (−173°C/343.4°F),” explained Vishal Khandelwal, a former Ph.D.…