While the world is currently powered by silicon, the next revolution could be based on Graphene. First produced in 2004, Graphene is several times lighter and stronger than steel. It is only one carbon atom thick, which makes it suitable for a wide variety on nano applications. As a super material, Graphene has potential to change our world. It could solve many of the problems that humanity is facing right now. To better understand its scope, here’s a look at how Graphene can transform out world.
Using air as fuel – Hydrogen fuel cell technology already exists and cars like Toyota Mirai are already using it. However, these need to carry hydrogen in a tank. Graphene can make things a lot easier, as graphene-based filters can directly suck hydrogen from air. That means the vehicle will be essentially running on air.
Mosquito net – Graphene can be used as protection against mosquitoes. Lab experiments show that mosquitoes avoid areas of the skin that are covered with a patch of graphene. The graphene patch is also resistant to mosquito bites when it is in dry condition. Scientists are currently working on making it useful against mosquitoes even when wet.
Sea water to drinking water – Graphene filters can help convert sea water to drinking water. It will allow the water molecules to pass through, while removing salts and other unwanted stuff. Graphene can thus revolutionize desalination, which is currently not cheap. It can help humanity to overcome the serious water crisis being faced in various parts of the world.
Quantum computing – Silicon based transistors are already reaching their max limit. This means processing power of computing devices will soon reach its peak. That’s where graphene could work as the perfect replacement. It could be a key component for quantum computing devices, owing to its ability to work both as an insulator and a superconductor. Other related use of Graphene could be to make unbreakable super thin foldable touchscreens.
Thinnest condoms – Quite a few people have reported that latex-based condoms reduce pleasure. That’s why there’s a deluge of thin, super thin, ultra-thin and even ‘invisible’ condoms in the market. Graphene-based condoms could put an end to all these latex-based condoms, as they will be many times thinner and stronger at the same time.
Rust-free world – We already have paint, but Graphene-based paint can be several times better. It can have applications for various segments such as shipping, nuclear industry, electronics and medical devices.
Embedded electronics – The stuff seen in movies like Terminator can become quite common with Graphene. Graphene-based electronics can be implanted inside out body that can directly communicate with our brain cells. This could be useful for a wide variety of debilitating diseases. It can also be routinely used to track various health parameters.
Graphene: a word to remember
A new material that has been in existence for less than a decade may hold the same promise that plastic did when it was first invented, or could even have the transformational power of iron when it replaced bronze as the metal used to build new civilizations.
Graphene was discovered as recently as 2004, and the scientists who isolated it received the Nobel Prize for Physics in 2010. The nano-material is obsessing scientists, entrepreneurs and high-tech companies around the world, thanks to its amazing properties.
So what is graphene?
It is basically a layer of carbon only one atom thick. It has been estimated a stack of 3 million sheets of graphene would measure about 1 millimetre thick. It is stretchy and flexible yet extremely hard, and is hundreds of times stronger than steel. It’s a great conductor of electricity, and its melting point is above 3,000 degrees Celsius.
Manufacturing industries are currently working with some highly sophisticated materials such as titanium alloys, single-crystal materials and carbon fibres. These materials are continuously researched for higher heat resistance, flexibility and other characteristics. If graphene can deliver on its early promise, it could significantly advance the search for these properties. It could pave way for much lighter, thinner and stronger constructions and could potentially be used in anything from super-light aircraft to desalination plants and hyper-fast computers.
Graphene on the market
So far, the material remains extremely expensive to produce in other than research quantities, and no commercial products have yet come to market. But companies and nations all over the world are investing hundreds of millions of dollars in research. The European Commission made graphene a special project and has granted more than 1 billion US dollars to help fund a decade of research and development by leading research institutions and big businesses in 17 countries in Europe.
Time-consuming process
Integrating new materials into mass production can take decades. The invention of carbon fibre, for instance, dates back half a century. Rolls-Royce pushed to use carbon fibre in aircraft engine compressor blades in the 1960s, but the blades proved vulnerable to damage from bird impact, and the company’s plans were disrupted.
The first viable commercial graphene products are expected to be presented in 2015. They may be electronic devices from IBM, Nokia or Samsung, which are among companies racing to be the first to market. If they succeed, it would be an example of an exceptionally fast implementation from a major discovery to market.
You must be logged in to post a comment.