The wonder 2D crystal

Graphene
United Kingdom (Manchester)

In 2010, Sir Andre Geim and Kostya Novosolev won the Nobel Prize in Physics for successfully isolating graphene – a material set to transform our world as we know it.

The 2D crystal graphene has taken the science world by storm. It would take an elephant balanced on a pencil to break through a single sheet of graphene as thin as cling film. It is 300 times stronger than steel and harder than diamond. Not only is it the strongest material known to science at the present time but it’s also the lightest. And there’s more: it’s flexible, almost transparent, superconductive (electricity flows through graphene much faster than copper or any other material) and allows nothing to pass through except for water. All this and it’s only one atom thick.

Its potential cannot be overstated. We could soon be seeing wafer-thin televisions, equally slender mobile phones and touchscreens that are bendable, allowing you to roll them up and take out with you.

There is the possibility of longer-lasting standard batteries which, for example, could revolutionise the future of electric cars, making them more efficient and affordable to run. Scientists have already shown that graphene can be used as a transparent, thin and long-lasting anti-corrosion coating on metals. It also has the potential to be filter out the salt in seawater, making oceans a source of drinkable water. Scientists in Australia have now developed a thin membrane called ‘Graphair’, which can make dirty water clean enough to drink after just a single pass through.

A team of researchers at Graphene Flagship has demonstrated how it is possible to interface graphene with neuron cells whilst maintaining the integrity of these vital cells. By interfacing directly between the brain and the outside world we can measure the brain’s electrical impulses to recover sensory functions. This can be used to control robotic arms for amputees or paralysed patients – from speech to movement of objects – and motor disorders (such as epilepsy or Parkinson’s) can start to be controlled. Graphene’s excellent conductivity, flexibility, biocompatibility and stability has been shown to be a promising material to solve these problems.

The most exciting prospect, however, is its potential to replace silicon in computer chips. Smaller and more compact chips can be produced and will provide for faster and higher-performing computers. Professor Geim firmly believes that graphene is going to be a disruptive technology. Early predictions back up his view, estimating that by 2022 the graphene industry will be worth £300bn. In March 2015, George Osborne opened the National Graphene Institute at the University of Manchester, where Geim and Novosolev did their work on the material.

Written by

Marcus Webb (24 February 2018)

Bio

Marcus Webb is editor of Delayed Gratification, the Slow Journalism magazine which looks back to give the final analysis on stories after the dust has settled, priding itself on being 'Last to Breaking News'.

Project leader

Sir Andre Geim and Kostya Novosolev, University of Manchester

Support the Atlas

We want the Atlas of the Future media platform and our event to be available to everybody, everywhere for free – always. Fancy helping us spread stories of hope and optimism to create a better tomorrow? For those able, we'd be grateful for any donation.

Atomic Force Microscopes can be used to map the properties of graphene in order to understand more about graphene

Graphene cleanroom

These 2D crystals can be assembled in 3D heterostructures that do not exist in nature and present unique physical properties due to low dimensionality and a special crystal structure

Creative Commons License

Comments

 

Take me somewhere
Close
Take me somewhere
Close
Data Protection Act: LOPD.
In compliance with Organic Law 15/1999, of 13 of December, on Personal Data Protection, and the development of Rules of Procedure, approved by Royal Decree 1720/2007, of 21 of December, Atlas of the Future subscribers may be required to provide Personal Data, which will be included in a file owned by Democratising The Future Society SL. Such file is duly incorporated in the Spanish Data Protection Agency and protected in compliance with the security measures established in the applicable legislation. Subscribers may exercise, at any time, their rights of access, rectification, cancellation and/or opposition regarding their Personal Data. The subscriber shall notice their will, either under written form addressed to Democratising The Future Society SL, Ref. LOPD, Calabria, 10 6-3 08015 - Barcelona (Spain) and/or by e-mail, clicking here. Also, the subscriber shall communicate Atlas of the Future any modifications of their Personal Data stored, so that the information stored by Atlas of the Future remains at all times updated and error-free.
Close
Get World-changing projects and news in your inbox weekly.