Graphene has the potential to be the material that transforms technology, science and business forever, radically advancing manufacturing in electronics, computing and possibly even bio-tech and medicine. At Gotronic, we're keeping a close eye on industry developments and thought we'd compile a list of just some of the ways graphene could soon change the our world. Thin, conductive and strong, graphene is one of the most universal of scientific discoveries, with applications which are potentially endless.
1. Mobile phones: There are now more smartphones in the world than there are people, and it has become the ultimate all-purpose gadget. So the difference that graphene will make to future smartphone innovations cannot be underestimated.
Firstly, there is the change it will bring to batteries. Everyone is familiar with the tedium that comes with having to constantly charge your smartphone battery. In 2011, scientists at Northwestern University, USA, first began experimenting with using a graphene compound in battery designs. They discovered that anodes made of graphene are better suited to holding energy, with a faster charging speed.
Secondly, the application of graphene could mean that phones can continue to manufacture the slimmer, sleeker designs so beloved by consumers, whilst allowing for more powerful batteries. Both Samsung and LG have already released devices with curved displays. These have mostly been a novelty developments, but the use of curved designs perhaps becomes more apparent when you consider that they will come in very handy for wearable devices (think about the new Apple Watch as one recent example).
However there are challenges still facing smartphone developers. There is still some doubt as to whether graphene can be successfully commercialised in large volumes and to a suitably high quality. So the long term usefulness of graphene to the smartphone industry is still in doubt.
2. Energy applications: As well as what it promises to do for batteries, graphene's potential for our wider energy market is also great. Solar power could be greatly enhanced as a source of energy due to the introduction of graphene. Graphene could replace platinum, which is currently used in solar cell technology, but is very expensive; graphene offers a cheaper alternative, without any energy being lost. In effect, it would bring down the cost of a very useful but expensive form of renewable energy.
3. Biomedical applications: There are potential applications for graphene as a means of creating bionic implants, with graphene able to interact with the biological systems of the body.
Some of this is a long way off and it may take decades for graphene to be fully utilised by industry. But every time we at Gotronic hear about the latest developments, we can't help but get excited.
1. Mobile phones: There are now more smartphones in the world than there are people, and it has become the ultimate all-purpose gadget. So the difference that graphene will make to future smartphone innovations cannot be underestimated.
Firstly, there is the change it will bring to batteries. Everyone is familiar with the tedium that comes with having to constantly charge your smartphone battery. In 2011, scientists at Northwestern University, USA, first began experimenting with using a graphene compound in battery designs. They discovered that anodes made of graphene are better suited to holding energy, with a faster charging speed.
Secondly, the application of graphene could mean that phones can continue to manufacture the slimmer, sleeker designs so beloved by consumers, whilst allowing for more powerful batteries. Both Samsung and LG have already released devices with curved displays. These have mostly been a novelty developments, but the use of curved designs perhaps becomes more apparent when you consider that they will come in very handy for wearable devices (think about the new Apple Watch as one recent example).
However there are challenges still facing smartphone developers. There is still some doubt as to whether graphene can be successfully commercialised in large volumes and to a suitably high quality. So the long term usefulness of graphene to the smartphone industry is still in doubt.
2. Energy applications: As well as what it promises to do for batteries, graphene's potential for our wider energy market is also great. Solar power could be greatly enhanced as a source of energy due to the introduction of graphene. Graphene could replace platinum, which is currently used in solar cell technology, but is very expensive; graphene offers a cheaper alternative, without any energy being lost. In effect, it would bring down the cost of a very useful but expensive form of renewable energy.
3. Biomedical applications: There are potential applications for graphene as a means of creating bionic implants, with graphene able to interact with the biological systems of the body.
Some of this is a long way off and it may take decades for graphene to be fully utilised by industry. But every time we at Gotronic hear about the latest developments, we can't help but get excited.