We are independent & ad-supported. We may earn a commission for purchases made through our links.
Advertiser Disclosure
Our website is an independent, advertising-supported platform. We provide our content free of charge to our readers, and to keep it that way, we rely on revenue generated through advertisements and affiliate partnerships. This means that when you click on certain links on our site and make a purchase, we may earn a commission. Learn more.
How We Make Money
We sustain our operations through affiliate commissions and advertising. If you click on an affiliate link and make a purchase, we may receive a commission from the merchant at no additional cost to you. We also display advertisements on our website, which help generate revenue to support our work and keep our content free for readers. Our editorial team operates independently of our advertising and affiliate partnerships to ensure that our content remains unbiased and focused on providing you with the best information and recommendations based on thorough research and honest evaluations. To remain transparent, we’ve provided a list of our current affiliate partners here.
Electronics

Our Promise to you

Founded in 2002, our company has been a trusted resource for readers seeking informative and engaging content. Our dedication to quality remains unwavering—and will never change. We follow a strict editorial policy, ensuring that our content is authored by highly qualified professionals and edited by subject matter experts. This guarantees that everything we publish is objective, accurate, and trustworthy.

Over the years, we've refined our approach to cover a wide range of topics, providing readers with reliable and practical advice to enhance their knowledge and skills. That's why millions of readers turn to us each year. Join us in celebrating the joy of learning, guided by standards you can trust.

What Are the Uses of Graphene?

By Paul Scott
Updated: May 16, 2024
Views: 16,953
References
Share

Graphene looks set to become one of the most revolutionary scientific discoveries of all time. This simple carbon allotrope possesses physical qualities previously unheard of and almost unthinkable potential in terms of the sheer number of its possible applications. It is literally a layer of atoms that can be moved around that is more rigid than a diamond, totally impermeable, and has an electrical current density a million times better than that of copper. At present, the huge number of potential uses of graphene are basically just that — potential uses. Development of this material is still in its infancy, but possible applications include touchscreen technology, electronic semi-conductor components, and gas sensors.

In scientific terms, graphene is one of the most anomalous substances ever researched. Practically, it is a simple allotrope of carbon, meaning that it's one of several possible forms of carbon, the diamond being another. Graphene is basically a single atomic layer of carbon molecules that is not only rigid enough to pick up, but also visible to the naked eye. It is totally impermeable, possesses outstanding thermal and electrical conductivity, and is resistant to strong acid and alkali attack. It also exhibits exceptional strength and flexibility and also has good optical properties.

All of these properties make graphene one of the most exciting and potential rich materials of all time. The research and development into the possible uses of graphene are still at the bottom of what promises to be a steep curve, but initial work has returned some very encouraging results. One of the industries that stands to gain the most from the many potential uses of graphene is electronic engineering. Flexible touchscreens, highly-efficient semi-conductor components, and room temperature superconductors are just a few of the possible uses of graphene in this industrial sector.

Graphene's impermeable nature and its molecular reaction to contact with gases also make it a strong contender for use in gas detection equipment. In addition, its inert nature holds great promise for the development of acid- and alkali-resistant coatings. The fact that it is a material that can produce the thinnest single atomic lattice and that it has good optical properties also means it would be an excellent support membrane for electron microscopes. Although large-scale commercial application of all of these applications are probably still years away as of 2011, the possible uses of graphene are too significant for it not to have created interest and a considerable wave of new research.

Share
EasyTechJunkie is dedicated to providing accurate and trustworthy information. We carefully select reputable sources and employ a rigorous fact-checking process to maintain the highest standards. To learn more about our commitment to accuracy, read our editorial process.
Link to Sources
Discussion Comments
By croydon — On Dec 29, 2011

@pleonasm - It's a single layer of atoms, laced together, from a carbon material like graphite I believe.

There are a lot of researchers working on it now that its properties have been made clear, so I'm sure they will quickly crack a quick and easy method of making and manipulating it.

Something I think is interesting is that it often seems to be described as a two dimensional material.

I suppose that's apt in some ways, since it is as thin as a material can get, being only one atom thick.

But it does have some thickness and two dimensions is technically not supposed to have any, at least as a mathematical concept.

By pleonasm — On Dec 29, 2011

@KoiwiGal - Since graphene is going to be most useful in the electronics industry I'll predict that it will in fact lead to even more discoveries. One of the difficulties with computers has always been space and size. The more computer power the more space things need. It's not just for convenience that computers have been getting smaller and smaller, it's also born out of necessity as innovations are made around the most powerful computers to try and shrink them down.

Something with the properties of graphene will definitely help in this department. The conductivity alone is astonishing, and when you add that to its lightness and rigidity, it's going to end up taking us into places we haven't been able to go before.

Of course, there's a long way to go before it can really be put to use. I believe it's quite delicate, and difficult to isolate from the parent material.

By KoiwiGal — On Dec 28, 2011

Wow I had never heard of this kind of material before and I almost thought this article was a hoax of some kind when I first started reading it. But it also has a huge wikipedia entry and it seems like a lot of other people are buzzing about it online as well.

It's amazing what kinds of scientific discoveries are still being made. Even something which seems relatively simple, like a single layer of carbon atoms, has yielded something incredible which could have massive implications on all areas of our lives.

This sort of thing always makes me think of that chap a few hundred years ago who famously declared that there was nothing left to discover, that human beings had pretty much decoded everything.

I think it's pretty obvious we still have a long way to go and I'm happy with that because the thrill of discovery is not something I'd want to give up any time soon.

Share
https://www.easytechjunkie.com/what-are-the-uses-of-graphene.htm
Copy this link
EasyTechJunkie, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.

EasyTechJunkie, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.