13 ways that Graphene metamaterials will change future technology (Part 2)

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

7. Ultra-thin condoms

In 2013, the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation awarded $ 100,000 to Manchester University scientists to develop thinner, more durable and more comfortable Graphene condoms .

In addition to being thin and durable, Graphene can also conduct heat very well. This means that Graphene is not only more reliable, but also can quickly neutralize body temperature - making body collisions feel more.

8. Ending water scarcity worldwide

About 783 million people around the world do not have access to clean water , but Graphene can change that. At the end of March, a team led by Oak Ridge National Laboratory announced that they had built a thin film of Graphene that could remove salt from saltwater effectively, which was called desalination.

In theory, water cannot pass through a sheet of Graphene because the mesh structure is too close to each other, but it is its sheer strength. The openings of the atomic mesh Graphene are large enough for water molecules to pass through, but small enough to prevent larger salt molecules . When tested, the Graphene membrane removed almost 100% of the salt molecules.

9. Ultra-light, ultra-durable bulletproof vest

Now you know Graphene is very hard, but how hard is it?

Last year, a research team put Graphene to the test by firing one shot, three times faster than the AK-47 rifle bullet.

Graphene sheets did not disappoint them. In the experiment, it underwent two shots of Kevlar , the current material used as a bulletproof vest. How Graphene can be used in bulletproof vests has not yet been published, but the team's results suggest a vision that promises an attractive property of this metamaterial .

10. Phone screen cannot be broken

Your friend or acquaintance must have gone through the time when the phone screen appeared ugly. Spider-web cracks may become the past with the help of Graphene.

There are several reasons why Graphene is suitable for producing phone screens : it is high purity, light weight, electrical and hard, most importantly capable of bending. In fact, Graphene is one of the most flexible materials in the world - partly because it is so thin. It sounds fictitious, but an ounce of Graphene (about 28 grams) can be spread over 28 football fields.

11. Compact electronic device

Despite its compact size, the phone is sometimes a hassle to carry. But what if your sleeve is a phone ? It is the idea behind a range of wristwatches that are becoming the focus of the world's leading technology companies. Imagine what it would be like if your backpack or shirt was an iPad ?

Earlier this month, a team of international scientists announced that they had developed a new technique to embed Graphene electrodes into polypropylene fibers - a common fiber in fabrics. This development marks the first time that the electrode has been embedded into a successful fibrous molecule.

12. Super fuel

Graphene is increasingly attractive to scientists who study it, because the more it explores, the more it knows about its attractive properties. For example, in November 2014, a group of scientists, led by Graphene discovery scientist Andre Geim at the University of Manchester, discovered that Graphene allowed protons to pass through it - revolutionary. chemical fuel .

Companies like Hyundai, Honda, and Toyota have been developing energy-efficient battery engines and using hydrogen gas , creating higher temperatures than gasoline and not polluting the environment.

However, the current problem is that this fuel is not highly efficient: the proton films used in this technology have a leak of fuel. Graphene may be an alternative because it can prevent better leakage than today's proton film.

13. Anti-freezing technology on the fuselage

Ice can lead to aircraft accidents , and one of the most popular anti- freezing methods today is to spray a chemical mixture onto the plane before takeoff. These chemicals can prevent ice accumulation on the tail and wings, but it is heavy and slows down the aircraft, and is not environmentally friendly.

While some companies are developing new mixes safer, a Swedish aircraft manufacturer, Saab AB, thinks Graphene may be the leading solution today. In February 2013, they filed a patent for the technology to develop a layer of Graphene mixed with polymer resin and paint on aircraft.

The result of this combination will provide an electrically conductive jacket for the plane, which will prevent the aircraft from being covered by ice by passing an electric current through the shell to heat the surface. face and thaw . And even more remarkable is that the mixture is light weight, environmentally friendly and more durable than today's anti-freezing liquid.