Graphene is a strong, lightweight material and is the thinnest electronic material ever discovered. It is composed of a layer of carbon atoms just a single atom thick and promises to have important and effective uses in the near future.
#10. Rust-Proofing
Graphene is a water repellent that is also highly conductive. Due to this, when used as a coating on steel, Graphene protects the steel from water and slows down the electrochemical reactions that oxidize iron. SUNY Buffalo chemists have taken this concept and run with it, designing a polymer coating containing Graphene. When tested, the polymer protected a piece of painted steel from brine water for an entire month. Via: gizmocrazed.com
#9. Speakers
Further research on the new versatile carbon material at the University of Texas revealed that Graphene, less than a single nanometer thick, transmits heat energy from electrical currents to make sound. This is different from conventional speakers, which works by vibrating a diaphragm, because it can be made into any shape. Via: gizmocrazed.com
#8. Supercapacitors
Graphene could change the inability of supercapacitors to hold much power per unit of weight – essentially reducing or eliminating the need for batteries. Whereas capacitors are currently made with layers of ordinary carbon to store a charge, Graphene can be etched with laser for more surface area which would allow a capacitor to store more energy. Plus, capacitors can go through more cycles than batteries before they fail. Via: gizmocrazed.com
#7. Cleaning Up Radioactive Waste
An incredible discovery by the Rice University and Lomonosov Moscow State University states that Graphene oxide is excellent at absorbing radioactive waste. Microscopic bits of the material bind to radioactive waste to create clumps that are easily collected to be disposed of. This could also potentially be useful in the mining and natural gas drilling industries for cleaning up naturally-occuring contaminants generated in local water supplies. Via: gizmocrazed.com
#6. Flexible Electronic Circuits
Currently, silicon semiconductor chips process the binary code that make up digital information. However, Graphene conducts electricity better than silicon, meaning it has the potential to process binary code faster. IBM has already developed a working Graphene processor for wireless devices which could hit the markets in the next five years. Via: gizmocrazed.com
#5. Artificial Muscles
This potential was discovered by Duke University scientists who realized that sheets of Graphene is easy to crumple like paper, but they are difficult to flatten out. The scientists attached it to a pre-stretched rubber sheet. When the sheet relaxed the the material still adhered to the rubber even when it was crumpled up. After this, they layered it with polymer that expanded and contracted when a current was run through it. Via: gizmocrazed.com
#4. Finding Explosives
Graphene foam can pick up small concentrations of nitrates and ammonia in explosives. Due to this, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute developed a sensor the size of a postage stamp which could likely be a regular part of bomb squad kits one day. Via: gizmocrazed.com
#3. Sequencing DNA
Rather than using costly sequencing genome machines and techniques, Graphene could filter and sort DNA molecules by size. How? This “filter” could be created by controlling the size of pores in it.
#2. Bulletproof Vests
Using a composite fiber made up of Graphene and Carbon nanotubes, Australian researches found that this compound was stronger than Kevlar. By adding an equal amount of Graphene and Carbon nanotubes to a polymer, created an incredibly strong fiber with the ability to be spun into fabric for bulletproof vests and other materials. Via: gizmocrazed.com
#1. Night Vision
Graphene products could lead to thinner camera lens and lighter weight night vision goggles that are ultra-sensitive. Since photo-dectors are computer chips made of silicon, it is unsurprising that, Graphene could create a more efficient and sensitive product.
The versatility of this new and incredibly strong material is astounding. Currently, Graphene is poised to innovate world industries as we know it. Via: gizmocrazed.com
Top 10 Uses For The World’s Strongest Material
