The Emerging Age of Nanotechnology

Graphene nanoparticle compared to Cobalt nanoparticle

The properties of graphene turned out to be so unique that scientists have not yet discovered the limitless potential uses. At only one atom thick this material has 20 or 30 superlatives to its name. It is the strongest material that has ever been measured. It is the most conductive material for electricity and heat ever discovered. It is the most impermeable material ever measured. In fact, this material is so different to anything we know it's hard to wrap our heads around quite how powerful it is.

Strength

Graphene is so strong that a 1 foot square meter of the material can sustain the weight of 1 kg. This would appear as if the 1 kg weight were suspended in mid air as the graphene is only one atom thick!The secret to the strength of graphene relates to the bonds between the carbon atoms. A model of the structure graphene indicates a tight formation of perfect hexagonal structures that vastly increases the overall structural strength.

Conductivity

Graphene is highly conducted electricity as a result of the bonds between its carbon atoms. The electrons within the carbon atoms behave as if they have no mass which allows them to move very quickly. The science behind the behavioral properties of these electrons ventures into the realm of quantum physics and is not completely understood by science today.

Practical Applications

Practical applications of graphene include replacing silicon in our electronics. Silicon has its limitations one of which is that we're quickly reaching a point where we cannot get silicon transistors any smaller or faster. Graphene does not have the same limitations so it is likely the next generation of electronics will consist of graphene-based transistors.

Undiscovered Potential

However, applying graphene to its full potential requires a new way of thinking about how we build our electronics. Thousands of researchers around the world are working with graphene to understand both its unique properties and potential applications. Hundreds of scientific papers on the properties of graphene are being written every week each proposing new ideas for its use in future technology. At the moment, baffled scientists admit the practical applications could be limitless in terms of what we know about technology. Infinitely smaller electronic components within our devices as well as infinitely faster computers rank among just a fraction of potential applications. Yet again, science fiction has become science fact and the age of nanotechnology is upon us.