In this blog post, we will look at how graphene can turn the future technology of science fiction movies into reality, and examine its possibilities and limitations.
If you love science fiction movies, you can easily imagine the incredibly advanced future of human society or the advanced science and technology. Do you remember what kind of cell phone or laptop future humans use in science fiction movies? Of course, it varies from movie to movie and from person to person, but if you imagine the laptops and cell phones of the future, I think most people would probably answer “a transparent, paper-thin touchscreen.” Touchscreens are already widely used in the real world, but the innovation of these futuristic devices that we have seen in movies still gives us a sense of mystery.
So, what makes these futuristic laptops possible in terms of design and technology? It’s graphene. Graphene is known as the “dream material” and is attracting the attention and love of many scientists and researchers. The name graphene may sound difficult, but it is actually no different from the graphite in the pencil that we commonly use in our daily lives. Graphite, the main material of pencil lead, is actually made of multiple layers of graphene. Graphene has been around us for a long time, but its true potential has only recently begun to be revealed.
Graphene is a thin, wide sheet of carbon atoms arranged in a hexagonal honeycomb pattern that are constantly connected. Thanks to its unique structure, graphene is thin yet strong, and in fact, graphene was first obtained in the past by sticking and peeling off the pencil lead with household scotch tape. The research team that obtained the world’s first graphene through this playful method won the Nobel Prize in Physics in 2010. As such, the discovery of graphene began with a very simple experiment, but its effects and potential applications are beyond imagination.
Thanks to the hexagonal arrangement of each atom, graphene’s electronic structure is also unique. Three of the four bonds in the carbon atom form a strong bond, and the remaining one becomes a free electron. This free electron is the key factor that makes graphene a “dream material.” Free electrons transmit electricity much faster and more efficiently than traditional conductors such as copper. This makes graphene highly conductive, which opens up a wide range of possibilities in the electronics and semiconductor industries.
Graphene also has a higher electron mobility than silicon, an important component of semiconductors. While silicon-based technologies have driven the modern electronics industry, the emergence of graphene is expected to enable faster and more efficient semiconductor technologies. The thickness of graphene is less than 0.2 nanometers, which is the thickness of a single carbon atom. Despite its thinness, graphene is very stable and is said to be much stronger than steel. In fact, graphene is said to be 200 times stronger than steel in terms of strength-to-thickness ratio.
Because of this characteristic, you might think, “Isn’t it strong enough to break easily?” However, graphene is durable and highly flexible. And even after being bent, it retains its original physical and chemical properties. This will be an important feature for making flexible and lightweight electronic devices. For example, in the future, we will be able to use foldable mobile phones and roll-up TV screens on a daily basis.
The advantages of graphene do not end there. The electrical properties of graphene are helping to develop ultra-fast electronic devices. Furthermore, graphene is transparent to light, so it is being used in new technology fields such as transparent displays and solar cells. In particular, graphene-based solar cells are attracting a lot of attention because they are more efficient than existing silicon-based cells and can reduce manufacturing costs. As solar power is gaining more attention as a future energy source, the development of graphene technology is likely to bring innovation to the energy industry.
As such, graphene has infinite possibilities in various fields, including electronic devices, energy, and clothing. For example, if graphene is used instead of the existing Kevlar fiber used in bulletproof vests, it is possible to make bulletproof vests that are much lighter and stronger. This could bring about major changes not only in the military but also in the police and security sectors. In fact, many studies are being conducted on graphene bulletproof vests thanks to their excellent performance.
However, even with such an attractive material, graphene has its limitations. The biggest problem is the technical and economic difficulties of producing graphene in large quantities. Producing high-quality graphene requires very sophisticated technology, but the costs incurred in the process are enormous. If graphene is produced in a cheap way, the quality is poor and the amazing properties of graphene cannot be fully demonstrated. This is one of the problems that must be solved for graphene to be commercialized.
Fortunately, research to overcome these problems is being actively conducted around the world. Numerous researchers are challenging themselves to mass-produce graphene and improve its quality, and some positive results have recently been reported. If these technical limitations are overcome, graphene will be able to completely change the form of the electronic devices we currently use. We hope that graphene will soon be commercialized and bring us closer to the future we have seen in science fiction movies.
Graphene is not just limited to electronic devices or bulletproof vests. The potential applications of graphene are even broader and more diverse. For example, its excellent electrical conductivity is being studied for its potential use in the medical field. Graphene-based biosensors enable more precise and faster diagnosis, and attempts are being made to apply graphene to the development of new drugs using nanotechnology. Research is also underway to develop next-generation artificial muscles using the strength and flexibility of graphene.
Thanks to its properties, graphene is attracting active research and investment worldwide, and will play an important role in all the technological innovations we imagine in the future.
