We are on the brink of a revolution that will completely change the way we use everyday products. Leading the way is a fascinating material called graphene. It is a thin sheet of carbon atoms — the same element in diamonds and coal — and was the first two-dimensional substance ever created, meaning it's one-atom thick, or about one million times thinner than a human hair.
Here are six ways in which graphene can revolutionize the world:
An end to water scarcity
Graphene could end the water shortage. Last March, a team led by Oak Ridge National Laboratory said that they had developed a porous sheet of graphene that could easily remove salt from saltwater, a process called desalination. When put to the test, the graphene membrane rejected nearly 100% of the salt molecules. Read unlimited water.
Better oil spill mops
This April, researchers at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory reported that they had developed a revolutionary way to manufacture graphene through 3D printing. Aero-gels are made of mostly air, which makes them highly absorbent. Therefore they could be used as a quick new way of cleaning up oil spills.
Faster, cheaper computers
In January, IBM announced a major breakthrough: They built an integrated circuit made of graphene. For the first time, the machine performed comparable to silicon technology. IBM said they were pledging another $3 b to continue researching ways to make faster, cheaper computer chips with graphene.
More joy with thin condoms
In 2013, the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation gave the researchers at the University of Manchester $100,000 to develop a graphene condom. Apart from being thin and strong, graphene can also conduct heat extremely well. That means a graphene condom be not only more reliable, but could also quickly adjust to body temperature — making the overall experience of wearing one more pleasurable.
Super fast & smart batteries
One of Graphene's most promising properties is its ability to efficiently conduct electricity. This feature has incredible promise for a new type of reusable battery, called a super-capacitor. Tesla Motors is reportedly exploring these types of graphene batteries to produce a battery-powered car that could last for 500 miles on a single charge.
Foldable, flexible gadgets
Researchers at UCLA developed a process to produce a graphene-based super-capacitor that could charge and discharge a thousand times faster than standard batteries. The liquid graphite mixtures called graphene ink, have a number of applications including printable, flexible electronics that are thin enough to fold, roll, and crumple without breakage.
In light of MRF's commitment towards Scalable Graphene; will Sri Lanka help MRF set up an ORE into GRAPHENE Facility (OIGF) in Sri Lanka like Talga in Germany?
Talga Resources chosen German site for graphite to graphene plant