Application of Graphene

Graphene is the most conductive material in the world, with electrons traveling at a speed of 1/300 of the speed of light, far exceeding the speed of electrons in ordinary conductors.

Adding 1% graphene to plastic can make it have good conductivity; Adding one thousandth of graphene can increase the thermal resistance of plastics by 30 degrees Celsius. On this basis, new materials with thin, light, good tensile properties, and super strength and toughness can be developed for the manufacturing of automobiles, airplanes, and satellites.

With the gradual breakthrough of mass production and large-scale challenges, the industrial application of graphene is accelerating. Based on existing research results, the first areas to achieve commercial application may be mobile devices, aerospace, and new energy batteries.

The flexible screen at the Consumer Electronics Show has attracted much attention and become the development trend of future mobile device displays. The future market for flexible displays is broad, and graphene, as a basic material, has a promising future. According to data, the global demand for mobile touch screens in 2013 was approximately 965 million pieces. By 2015, the demand for large-sized touch screens on tablets will also reach 230 million pieces, providing a broad market for the application of graphene. Researchers from Samsung in South Korea have also manufactured transparent and flexible display screens composed of multiple layers of graphene and other materials, believing that large-scale commercial use is within reach.

On the other hand, new energy batteries were also one of the earliest important areas in which graphene was commercially available. Previously, the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in the United States had successfully developed flexible photovoltaic panels with graphene nano coatings on their surfaces, which can greatly reduce the cost of manufacturing transparent and deformable solar cells. This type of battery may be applied in small digital devices such as night vision goggles and cameras. In addition, the successful development of graphene super batteries has also solved the problems of insufficient capacity and long charging time for new energy vehicle batteries, greatly accelerating the development of the new energy battery industry. This series of research results paved the way for the application of graphene in the new energy battery industry.

Due to its high conductivity, high strength, and ultra-thin properties, graphene has outstanding application advantages in the aerospace and military industries. Recently, NASA in the United States developed graphene sensors for use in the aerospace field, which can effectively detect trace elements in the Earth's upper atmosphere and structural defects on spacecraft. Graphene will also play a more important role in potential applications such as ultra-light aircraft materials.