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Graphene layers resemble a honeycomb structure on an atomic scale. (enot-poloskun/Getty Images)In recent years, there’s been a lot of excitement surrounding a material known as graphene. But what exactly is graphene? Picture a substance that's 200 times stronger than steel and yet 1,000 times lighter than paper.
Sounds like something from a science fiction story? It's not — it’s graphene.
Graphene's Sticky Discovery
At Cabot Corporation, senior researcher Matt Hesketh analyzes the evolution of graphene in three vials. The vial on the left contains graphite, the one in the middle holds expanded graphite, and the vial on the right showcases graphene. John Tlumacki/The Boston Globe via Getty ImagesIn 2004, two scientists from the University of Manchester, Andre Geim and Konstantin Novoselov, were experimenting with graphite. Yes, the same material found in the tip of your pencil. Intrigued by the substance, they wondered if it was possible to peel it down to a single layer. For this task, they turned to an unconventional tool: sticky tape.
"You place [sticky tape] on graphite or mica and peel off the top layer," Geim explained to the BBC. The tape collects flakes of graphite. Then, you fold the tape in half, press it against the flakes, and split them once more. This process is repeated 10 or 20 times.
"With each attempt, the flakes split into progressively thinner pieces. Eventually, you're left with extremely thin flakes attached to your tape. You then dissolve the tape, and everything dissolves into a solution."
To everyone's surprise, the sticky-tape technique proved highly effective. This fun experiment resulted in the discovery of single-layer graphene flakes.
In 2010, Geim and Novoselov were awarded the Nobel Prize in Physics for their groundbreaking discovery of graphene, a material composed of carbon atoms arranged in a hexagonal pattern resembling chicken wire.
Why Is Graphene Such a Big Deal?
In 2015, Dr. Yan Fung, a physics professor, unveiled an innovative creation of cost-effective semitransparent solar cells featuring graphene electrodes at Poly University in Hung Hom, China. David Wong/South China Morning Post via Getty ImagesThe Carbon Atom Link
A key reason why graphene is so remarkable lies in its structure. A single layer of flawless graphene consists of carbon atoms arranged in a hexagonal lattice pattern. This atomic-scale honeycomb structure gives graphene its incredible strength.
Electrical Properties
Graphene also excels as an electrical conductor. It conducts electricity more efficiently than any other material at room temperature.
Remember those carbon atoms we discussed earlier? Well, each of them possesses an additional electron known as a pi electron. This electron moves freely, enabling it to transmit electrical conductivity across the multilayer graphene with minimal resistance.
This is what makes graphene the fastest conductor of electricity at room temperature.
The 'Magic Angle' and Superconductivity
Recent studies on graphene at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) uncovered something nearly magical: when two graphene layers are rotated by just 1.1 degrees out of alignment, graphene transforms into a superconductor.
This means it can conduct electricity with zero resistance and no heat, paving the way for incredible future advancements in room-temperature superconductivity.
Potential Uses for Graphene
Powering Up with Graphene
One of the most promising uses of graphene is in batteries. Thanks to its remarkable conductivity, graphene-based batteries could charge more quickly and last longer than today's lithium-ion ones.
Leading companies like Samsung and Huawei are already working on this technology, eager to bring these breakthroughs into our everyday devices.
Other Graphene Innovations
- Biosensors: Imagine a tiny chip circulating in your bloodstream, constantly keeping an eye on your health or even communicating with your brain to detect any potential health issues.
- Photonics: With the addition of graphene, light-sensitive chips could significantly improve their sensitivity, potentially revolutionizing devices like cameras, medical imaging, and beyond.
- Water filtration: Graphene oxide, a form of graphene, has shown promise in purifying water. Whether it's removing harmful contaminants or desalinating seawater, graphene could become key to securing clean water for the future.
Taking Graphene From Labs to Our Lives
By 2024, a variety of graphene products are expected to hit the market, according to Andrea Ferrari, director of the Cambridge Graphene Centre, who also serves as the science and technology officer for the Graphene Flagship, a billion-euro initiative backed by the European Union to accelerate the development of graphene technology.
Collaborators in the Flagship project are already working on graphene batteries that offer 20 percent more capacity and 15 percent more energy than the most advanced high-energy cells currently available. In addition, other teams have developed graphene-based solar cells that are 20 percent more efficient in converting sunlight into electricity.
While there are some early products showcasing graphene's potential, such as sports gear from Head, the most exciting innovations are yet to come. As Ferrari puts it, "We say graphene, but what we're really talking about is a broad range of possibilities currently being explored. Progress is definitely being made."
