13 ways that Graphene metamaterials will change future technology (part 1)

Since graphene was first discovered in 2004, it promises to create a new technological revolution around the world.

The ways in which graphene super materials will change future technology

We are facing a revolution that can change the things we use every day like cars, clothes, light bulbs and even drinking water. And what constitutes this revolution is a very interesting metamaterial for scientists, Graphene.

Graphene is a thin layer of carbon atoms - the element that makes up Diamond and Coal - which is the first two-dimensional nature created, meaning that it can be thicker than an atom, or thinner. a human hair about a million times.

Despite its small size, Graphene is a large portfolio because of its marvelous attributes . For example, it is 1000 times stiffer than steel, but 1000 times lighter than paper and has a semiconductor property more than silicon, which we often use in computer circuits.

Since graphene was first discovered in 2004, hundreds of researchers around the world have begun to study its properties, and promise it has the potential to create a new technological revolution. all around the world.

1. Computer faster, cheaper

When graphene's electrical conductivity was discovered for the first time, there were hopes that graphene could replace silicon chips today - a change that opened a new era for cheaper, more efficient electronics. .

But more than 10 years later, we still use silicon chips because scientists have yet to find a way to control the current on the graphene chip - a very important feature in computer circuit operation.

Last January, researchers at IBM announced a major breakthrough in this area, they designed and built an integrated circuit of graphene . For the first time, there was a test computer performing a test comparable to silicon technology. Immediately after the announcement, IBM announced it had spent an additional $ 3 billion to continue researching ways for faster computers, cheaper computer chips with graphene and other materials.

2. Change lighting technology and LED display

In March this year, scientists at Manchester University and Graphene Lighting company announced they had designed a Graphene light bulb. Scientists took a diode, or LED, and painted a layer of graphene on it.

Because Graphene has good electrical conductivity , scientists report that the bulbs can achieve 10% better efficiency and last longer than LED bulbs currently on the market. Graphene bulbs can be sold in the next few months.

3. Immediately handle oil spill accidents

In April this year, researchers at Lawrence Livemore National Laboratory said they have developed a breakthrough method to produce Graphene by 3D printing with an Aero-gel- like structure .

Aero-gel is made primarily of air, has a very high absorbency. Therefore they can be used to clean oil spills. In 2013, Chinese materials scientists said they had successfully produced the Graphene Aero-gel, which could absorb oil more than 900 times its weight. Not only that, the aero-gel Graphene can be dried and reused many times.

4. "Super" battery

One of graphene's most promising features is the ability to charge. This feature promises to bring a new reusable battery , called supercapacitors , that can store more power and recharge faster than any other battery today.

Instead of spending hours to charge your smartphone today, with this Graphene battery, it will only take a few seconds. But the battery industry for phones is just the beginning.

In August 2014, Elon Musk's car and energy storage company Tesla Motors announced that it had discovered the Graphene battery to produce a battery-powered car that could run 500 miles on a single charge - double distance of current electric car models.

One of the reasons Tesla has not been able to create sports cars using Graphene batteries is that: making Graphene is extremely difficult, time-consuming, and expensive.

5. Foldable electronic device

One of the most anticipated advances in accelerating the production of graphene is by mixing graphite - a widely used material for making pencils - with other substances in a process called doping . The result is a liquid which is then converted into Graphene material.

To make this transition, they exposed the liquid under the laser, and researchers at UCLA quickly created a graphene supercapacity that could charge and discharge batteries faster than the standard from 100 to 1000 times compared to the present.

Liquid graphite mixtures, also known as Graphene, include an application for use as ink, making electronic devices thin enough to fold , curl and absorb impulse without breaking.

6. Application in bionic engineering

It's hard to imagine when the body loses its arms or legs until that happens. Currently, prosthetics are very popular, but it is not a perfect substitute.

Electronic prostheses , called bionic biological techniques, are a revolution in health, giving patients greater comfort and mobility than ever before, and graphene can play a very important role. Future important in this area.

In theory, doctors can use Graphene to conduct electricity between human cells and artificial limbs, allowing people to control prosthetic hands by thinking. In addition, Graphene has no effect on blood or other body fluids, which means it is able to safely remain in the human body for long.