Create endless clean energy sources from graphene sheets

From a molecule once considered impossible, it has become a marvelous material in physics and promises to change in the future.

Graphene is a layer of carbon atoms that are bundled into a two-dimensional (2D) honeycomb network and a basic block for graphite-like materials despite the dimension. It can be encapsulated into 0D fullerenes, rolled into 1D carbon nanotubes or folded into graphite.

This phenomenon was discovered by a group of physicists led by researchers at the University of Arkansas. First, they have no intention of finding a new way to power electronic devices. Their purpose is much simpler - they just want to consider graphene's movement.

We are all familiar with the black material made of carbon and called graphite . They are often combined with ceramic materials to form 'lead' in the pencils we use. The black stains created by pencils are actually pieces of carbon atoms stacked on top of each other and form a 'thin wire mesh'. Because these carbon sheets are not sticking together, they easily slip through each other.

For years, scientists have looked at the ability to isolate single graphite plates, so can a two-dimensional carbon-thin steel grid stand on its own? In 2004, a physicist at Manchester University did this, he split the layers of a graphite lump from a thick atom.

In order to survive, 2D materials must perform a number of "scams ," which act as a 3D material to keep their state in a state of rigidity. And it turns out, the "holes" in graphene are random "bumps" due to the reciprocating movement of atoms. This causes 2D graphene sheet to have a third dimension. In other words, graphene can exist because they are not completely flat.

Generate energy from graphene.(Photo: OliveTree).

To accurately measure the degree of fluctuation of graphene, physicist Paul Thibado led a group of graduate students to perform a simple experiment. They placed graphene sheets on the copper grid and observed the position changes of atoms using The Scanning Tunneling Microscope.

Although they can record the movement of atoms in graphene, this number is not suitable for any model they had expected before. The team was also unable to copy the data collected at this test to be applied the next time.

Researcher Thibado said: "We don't seem to get anything useful. But I wonder if we ask a very simple question."

Thinking like that, Mr. Thibado conducted the experiment in a different direction, studying the data collected from a new angle."We split each image into smaller images and observe the patterns of graphene hidden in large areas. Each area of ​​a single image, when viewed at different times, creates a pattern. more meaningful, " said Mr. Thibado.

The team quickly found that the inclination of graphene sheets was not the same as the shape of thin metal plates bent when twisted from both sides. Although graphene was previously observed in complex biological and climatic systems, this is the first time they have been seen on an atomic scale.

By measuring the speed and scale of graphene waves, researcher Thibado thinks we can turn it into an efficient source of energy. As long as graphene's temperature also allows atoms to move around, it will continue to wiggle and bend. Placing the electrodes on the sides of the graphene parts is skewed, you will have a small change in voltage.

According to calculations by Thibado, a 10 micron piece of graphene can produce 10 microwatts of electricity. This number may not seem very impressive, but if you put more than 20,000 squares in a small area, you only need a small amount of graphene at room temperature, you can power a watch. hands running to . the end of the world! Another advantage is that it will energize bio-implant surgeries without using bulky batteries.

Currently, the team continues to work to check the effectiveness of the results. Mr. Thibado worked with US Navy Laboratory scientists to see if this idea could be applied into practice.

From a molecule once thought to be impossible, graphene has become a marvelous material in physics. It is being considered as a material with many potential applications and could lead to a new field of future electronic devices.

This study was published in Physical Review Letters.