Stronger than steel, harder than diamond: is called the graphene material of the future
called Graphene material of the future for his incredible strength and many potential applications where it can be used. European researchers has released the first ever guide for the production of this two-dimensional crystal.
the Guide was issued by the Graphene Flagship consortium, consisting of representatives of universities and companies. Founded in 2013, the consortium — one of three major EU-funded research projects with a budget of more than EUR 1 billion until 2023.
the Consortium hopes that this guide will contribute to the wider use of graphene, which can produce a real revolution in several industries.
Graphene is a layer of carbon atoms, obtained from graphite, which we can find, for example, the eraser on a pencil.
Situated in a honeycomb, it is 200 times stronger than steel, harder than diamond and tolerates heat and electricity better than any other material, including gold or copper.
In the development of a free 500-page manuals was attended by seventy researchers.
"This is a big book that includes the description of many of the most important methods of producing graphene and other two-dimensional materials," explained Mar Garcia Hernandez of the Graphene Flagship.
Flexibility and elasticity of a crystal means that it can be used in various industries such as Aeronautics, space research, medicine, energy or electronics.
In December last year, the Graphene Flagship has collaborated with some of the largest European companies, including Airbus, Fiat-Chrysler Automobiles, Lufthansa Technik, Siemens and ABB, in particular, to use the prototypes with graphene for commercial purposes.
In one of the projects will be developed the most modern image sensors, which can ensure the safe operation of self-driving cars, and the other will use filters based on graphene for the removal of contaminants such as pesticides and dangerous pathogens from drinking water.