The material of the future was discovered by chance by graphite of pencils.
Andre and Kostya are two researchers from the University of Manchester. In 2004 they often organized the “Friday evening experiments” – sessions in which they dedicated themselves to scientific experiments not necessarily linked to their daily work.
A Friday, the two scientists managed to remove some flakes from a block of graphite using adhesive tape. They noticed that some flakes were thinner than others. Repeating several times the process of separation of the fragments of graphite, they managed to create only one atom flakes. Their experiment led to the isolation of graphene for the first time in history.
These were Andre Geim and Kostya Novoselov, and this discovery, six years later, earned them the Nobel Prize for physics.
The graphene is a material consisting of a single layer of carbon atoms arranged in a two -dimensional honeycomb structure.
Graphene properties and applications
High efficiency solar cells
The graphene can be used to improve the efficiency of photovoltaic cells thanks to its high electrical conductivity and transparency. It can also be combined with other materials to create lighter, flexible and durable solar cells.
Batteries and supercondensi
Graphene batteries promise greater energy density, faster charging times and a longer duration than traditional lithium batteries. Graphene -based supercondensors could store and release energy almost instantly, making them ideal for electric vehicles and portable devices.
Hydrogen technologies
Grafene can facilitate the extraction of hydrogen from water or air thanks to its selective permeability to protons. In addition, it is able to improve the performance of hydrogen fuel cells, a key technology for sustainable mobility and clean energy.
Coating for wind turbines
The coatings reinforced with graphene can increase resistance and reduce the wear of the wind turbines, thus improving efficiency and reducing maintenance costs.
Energy accumulation systems
Thanks to its lightness and conductivity, graphene can improve the performance of energy storage systems, such as devices to store wind and sunny energy energy.
Transport efficiency
The use of graphene in composite materials for the construction of electric vehicles and planes can reduce the overall weight, decreasing energy consumption and increasing autonomy.
Limits of graphene
However, large -scale graphene production and accessible costs still represents a challenge. The research focuses on innovative techniques to optimize its synthesis and processing, opening the way to its adoption on a large scale.
In conclusion, graphene is not only a revolutionary material, but also a catalyst for the future of clean and sustainable energy. Its implementation could accelerate the transition towards a greener energy economy, with significant impacts on society and the environment.
Sources: Nature
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