GRAPHENE

-Graphene the worlds first 2D material. Since its isolation in 2004 it has captured the attention of
scientists and researchers worldwide. It is ultra-light, yet incredible tough. It is 200 times stronger than
steel, yet incredibly flexible. It is fire resistant yet retains heat. It is superb conductor, yet not even
helium can pass through it. All this and more. Much more.
-When graphene is used alone or combined with other materials or substances the possibilities are
infinite.
-So where will graphene take us? How will it change our world? What benefits will it bring to mankind?
Graphene could revolutionize medicine. Nanotechnology is set to transform medical procedures.
Drugs could be delivered to specific targeted cells. Graphene could pave way for a step change in the
treatment of cancer such as parkinsons.
-Graphene has enormous potential when used as a membrane to separate liquids. It could see huge
progress in water purification and treatment in developing countries, and even provide more efficient
desalination plants.
-Graphene can make the world a safer place. In aircraft technology and cars. Through clothing for the
defence industry.
-Graphene protects. Graphene conducts. It means advanced paints could both reduce corrosion and
increase energy efficiency.
-Graphene detects. It could create sensors that can detect even minute traces of gases or dangerous
chemicals, or sustainable food packaging that can let you know when food has gone off.
Graphene absorbs light and retains it as energy. Add this to strength and flexibility and bendable mobile
phones and cameras with enormous battery life are ever closer. So are wearable electronics, clothing
that communicates.
-Graphene has low weight and high strength. Harnessed with polymers and composites it could make
numerous forms of transport safer and more fuel efficient.
This is only the start. These are only the first steps. The potential of graphene is limited only by our
imagination.
-Projects are already moving on apace. Progress is already making an impact.
The national graphene institute opens early in 2015. It will add further momentum. It will bring focus to
the vision.
FACTS ABOUT GRAPHENE
STRONG: Graphene is 200 stronger than steel.
THIN: The thinnest material on earth 1 million times thinner than a human hair.
CONDUCTIVE: The worlds most conductive material.
2D: The worlds first 2D material, Opening the doors to new experimental fields.
STRETCHABLE: As well as transparent, Flexible and impermeable.
MULTI-DISCIPLINARY: More than 100 university of Manchester researchers work on graphene.
Questions:
What is graphene? Graphene is a single layer of carbon atoms arranged in a hexagonal lattice. Its the
worlds first 2D material.
Why is graphene invisible? Graphene is the worlds thinnest material one atom thick. To put this into
context, it is almost one million times thinner than human hair. Therefore, on its own it is not visible to
the human eye. However, single-layer graphene can be seen under microscope and millions of layers of
graphene can be put together to create applications graphene samples can also be transferred onto
wafers, made from silicon and similar materials, or in soluble solutions so they can be seen clearly by the
human eye.
When will we start to see graphene applications? Graphene was isolated in 2004, so its extremely new
material. We expect to see the first products, likely to be graphene screens for mobile phones and e-
paper devices, on general scale in 2015. This will mean from extraction to application in just over 10
years. This is a remarkably quick turnaround for a new material. Further applications may take several
years to develop [hyperlink to timeline], for example, bio and medical applications such as drugs
delivery would need to be subject to clinical trials, laboratory experiments and further research.
What is the universitys strategy around patenting? QUALITY NOT QUANTITY.
Why couldnt the university patent graphene? Graphene is simply a form of carbon, a naturally-
occurring element. Anyone can isolate graphene that is extracted from graphite using a simple scotch
tape method and therefore it is not something anyone can protect with patents. What can be
patented are devices or applications containing graphene. Sir andre and sir kostyas vision when they
published their 2004 paper was for the world to begin working with the material to discover its
revolutionary qualities, making their work accessible to scientists and industrialists all over the world.
Dozens of countries around the world are investing in graphene research and engineering, and a
number of UK universities have also opened research laboratories. However, the University of
Manchester remains the worlds leading center of graphene research. The *61m national graphene
institute will be UKs home of graphene research; a hub and spoke model that allows all other UK
universities to collaborate together on applications of the future. Existing graphene research, currently
taking place across a number of academic schools and institutes, will continue alongside the NGI. A
number of UK institutions, including the University of Manchester, are also part of the graphene
flagship, a 10-year, 1bn euro scheme in future and emerging technologies linking 75 academic and
industrial research groups in 17 European Countries. The University of Manchester has more than 120
academics working across a broad range of disciplines, giving us an unrivalled strength in all areas of
graphene and 2D material research.
How does graphene differ from other carbon-related breakthroughs, such as carbon nanotubes?
Carbon nanotubes are, in effect, simply rolled up tubes of graphene their potential uses have been
widely discussed, yet few if any applications have yet been made. It is considered that many of the
current and potential applications of carbon nanotubes may be taken by graphene as it displays
enhanced properties but with greater ease of production and handing. It is graphenes combination of
superlatives that give it its wonder material title. Other materials individually have superb qualities, but
graphene has several all in one. It is these characteristics that provide expectation that graphene will
lead to real-life applications of the future. In addition, the isolation of graphene paved the way for a
series of other 2D materials, all which can be combined with graphene to create novel applications as
yet only a fragment of our imagination.
Is graphene dangerous? There are no proven dangers to consumers. However, if you were to inhale or
ingest a nanomaterial such as graphene it could potentially be toxic and so procedures engaged in the
manufacturing process have to act with caution.