The Future of Graphene: Innovative Uses of the Material You Probably Didn't Know About

Graphene is a miracle material with an array of potential applications, from electronics to biomedical engineering. Invented in 2004 and first isolating in 2010, graphene is the thinnest and strongest material ever discovered. It’s also the most conductive substance known to mankind. There are currently more than 3,500 patents related to graphene; its versatility makes it applicable to almost any industry. This article explores some of the innovative ways that graphene is improving our world.

Electronic devices are one of the most obvious industries to benefit from the invention of graphene. Today’s electronic devices, like mobile phones, tablets and laptops, rely on silicon as their main semiconductor. Silicon has some major drawbacks, including its high cost and limited scalability. Graphene, however, is a semiconductor that is stronger than silicon and is a much cheaper material to source. This makes it highly suitable for large-scale semiconductor manufacturing, which is necessary for the production of semiconductors at the frontier of modern-day technology. Graphene semiconductors are predicted to be used in the next-generation computer chips, as well as in high-performance transistors and sensors.

Windows that can sense and respond to their environment are just a few years away. Graphene, in combination with other materials, is being used to develop transparent or opaque windows that are capable of controlling light and temperature. This new kind of smart glass has several positive uses. For example, it could lower energy bills for owners of commercial buildings by automatically regulating light and temperature during the day. Graphene-based coatings are also being developed for windows to increase their strength and scratch-resistance. At the same time, the coatings allow the transmission of light to be adjusted by applying a small electrical current. This allows the graphene-coated windows to have the potential to be used in security and privacy applications, such as police monitoring towers or secure embassies.

Better and safer roads are a natural application of graphene. Engineers are currently working to design pavements that are not only more durable, but that can also detect road conditions and traffic. Graphene-based sensors embedded in asphalt can detect cracks, potholes and weather conditions. These sensors can be connected to an online system that allows officials to monitor the status of roads and make timely repairs. One of the most promising ways that graphene could be used in road construction is in the asphalt pavement itself. Researchers are currently developing new asphalt and stone mixtures that include graphene nanoparticles. These mixtures are more durable and better able to withstand extreme weather conditions. Graphene-infused asphalt is expected to be able to detect chemicals and microbes in potholes and can even identify the species of animal that created the hole.

The rise of 3D-printing has led to a growing demand for stronger and lighter materials. Paper, plastic and metals are all very heavy and unsuitable for 3D-printing. Graphene, however, is an ideal material for creating strong, lightweight materials for 3D-printing. Graphene is lightweight, porous and impermeable to liquids. It can also be integrated into other materials like paper, plastic and metals to give them some of its properties. Engineers have already created paper that can be used as an electrical circuit with graphene as the base material. Graphene can also be combined with other materials, such as Kevlar and carbon fiber, to make all-new lightweight materials. These graphene-based materials could be used in aircraft, cars and helmets for firefighters and police officers.

Graphene is a promising material for the development of new drugs and treatments for diseases. It has been used to create new nanosensors that can detect and diagnose diseases like cancer, heart diseases and diabetes. These sensors can be used in the creation of wearable health devices that can send data to doctors, who can then create the most suitable treatment. Graphene’s ability to transmit electrons quickly and efficiently has made it a promising material for improving battery life in wearable devices and creating wireless devices that do not require charging. Graphene is also being used in the development of tissue engineering and regenerative medicine. Researchers have created 3D-printed graphene scaffolds, which can be used to grow new tissue. The graphene scaffolds can be printed with pores that are ideal for the growth of cells and tissue.

Electronic devices are one of the most obvious industries to benefit from graphene. Graphene is a semiconductor that is stronger than silicon and is much cheaper to source. Graphene semiconductors are predicted to be used in next-generation computer chips, as well as in high-performance transistors and sensors. Graphene-based semiconductors are expected to be used in the development of 5G technology. 5G is the next major phase in cellular communication, which will likely be rolled out by telecom service providers globally between 2020 and 2022. Graphene-based semiconductors are expected to play a crucial role in 5G technology, as they can be used to create low-power chips with high-speed data transmission. Graphene could also be used in the development of quantum computers. Quantum computers are expected to be one of the most powerful computers in history. They are expected to be 1,000 times more powerful than regular computers, but they require a cool environment to function properly.

Graphene could also be used to create a more efficient and faster way to charge electronic devices. Graphene has been used to create a type of battery that is more powerful and charges faster than lithium-ion batteries, which are currently used in most smartphones. Graphene can also be used to create a “smart” charging mat. This mat would have a built-in chip that would recognize the device connected to it and send the correct amount of power to charge the device at the fastest rate possible. It would also be able to charge multiple devices at once. Graphene batteries and mats are expected to be developed and used in the next few years.

Engineers are still exploring the potential applications of graphene. It is expected that graphene will be used in many more industries in the coming years as engineers explore its versatility and discover new uses for it. The arrival of 5G technology, quantum computers and new drugs and treatments are just a few examples of how graphene will continue to benefit the world in the future.