The amazing material, graphene, may take over the world someday. Graphene is a man made substance with many helpful uses. This material is not only hard as steel, but yet also elastic and rubbery. Scientists have already begun researching ways to create and use graphene day by day. Researchers are trying to take advantage of how sturdy and conductive graphene is, and they are beginning to seek new ways on improving the daily lives of people. As many experts begin to discover new ways to create this strong and reliable material, other researchers explore new and innovative ways to incorporate graphene into items.
Graphene was first discovered in 2004, by two researchers named Andre Geim and Kostya Novoselov, both working at the University of Manchester. The two researchers found out that they could create graphite by simply touching tape onto a piece of graphite, peeling it off, folding, and repeat. It was not a very difficult process. They not only created graphene, but were able to prove its strength and flexibility. Years later, researchers are working on ways to best use graphene’s impressive properties. This discovery caused much excitement in people around the world, and left many wondering about all the possibilities and ways they could use graphene.
Using tape is not the only way graphene can be made. There is a very efficient method called Chemical Vapor Deposition. CVD includes growing graphene on a metal surface. Then, experts combine it with high-temperature gases and metals, and finally it can be used and deposited on the substance that needs enhancing. Another method experts discovered involves flash graphene. This is as simple as turning trash into something much more useful. Experts can use literally any thing that is high in carbon, and turn it into graphene. This method requires very high heat, almost 5000 degrees, and only takes around ten seconds. This method seems amazing, but it takes an extreme amount of heat to produce a normal amount of graphene. Flash graphene is much easier to create graphene and takes less time than CVD. Both methods are a quick way to create graphene, but it takes lots of thought and money to produce the a small amount. That is the reason why graphene and graphene incorporated items are rarely seem. Until further research, experts are stuck with using quick, yet dangerous and expensive methods to create graphene.
Even though it is very tough and costly to produce large amounts of graphene at once, using the small amounts available, researchers have already found ways to incorporate graphene in many items. Many researchers are trying to involve graphene with health. They believe that graphene’s thick, durable composition could be ideal for improving people’s health. Some may even be able to wear graphene as contact lenses. Apart from using graphene for health purposes, scientists have found other ways to benefit from graphene. An Italian company, Italcementi, suggest that people should incorporate graphene into cement. As a result of graphene’s ability to conduct electricity and heat, graphene has become one of the most conductive substance researchers have even come across. Using graphene in cement, can not only bring heat throughout homes, but also cause heat to disappear, which would lessen the need for air conditioning in many homes. Researchers have already found out many ways in which graphene could be useful, and will only continue discovering new and advanced ways to include graphene in items.