The Products of Tomorrow- Made with Graphene
Graphene is often referred to as a wonder material, an anomaly that is years ahead of its time. As both the lightest and strongest material known to man, graphene has shocked the world. However, what’s even more shocking is how individuals are using graphene. Here are a few products and concepts that are being developed with graphene.
Super Battery
One of the biggest issues with rechargeable batteries is that they lose charge capacity over time. To fix this issue, researchers at Swinburne University in Australia have created graphene supercapacitors. These new and improved supercapacitors can be used repeatedly without losing their performance level, they also charge significantly faster than lithium-based batteries. These graphene-based super batteries can be used in an array of technological devices from smartphones to electric cars. Furthermore, the improved battery lifespan can have positive environmental impacts.
Indestructible Touch Screen
As mentioned earlier, graphene is the lightest and strongest material in the world. What we didn’t mention is that graphene is also transparent, these traits make the substance an ideal material for touchscreens. As a result, companies are experimenting with graphene in product development. In the future, we may see cellphones, tablets, and other electronic devices that are nearly indestructible thanks to graphene. Not to mention, the super sleek screens will enable new and innovative design opportunities.
Mega-Frequency Headphones
A single sheet of graphene can provide a frequency response comparable to a pair of commercial Sennheiser earphones. Given that information, it’s not hard to imagine what graphene could do for headphone manufacturers. A team of scientist at UC Berkeley have created graphene-based earphones. The earphones are light, durable, and possess sound enhancement qualities that have never been seen before.
Solar Panels that Generate Power in the Rain
Typically, solar panels are most effective with clear skies and sunshine, but graphene is turning that assumption on its head. Scientists from Yunnan Normal University and the Ocean University of China have created a new type of solar panel using graphene, one that can generate solar power in the rain. In short, scientists place a layer of graphene over the top of a solar cell; this setup creates energy as the panels react with naturally occurring salts in rainwater.
A Solution to Radioactive Waste
Graphene is being used as a solution to cleaning up radioactive waste. A joint research initiative led by Rice University and Lomonosov Moscow State University has found that graphene oxide has a unique ability to remove radioactive material from contaminated water quickly. This unique ability of graphene will allow municipal organizations and companies alike to address toxic groundwater issues.
This is just the tip of the iceberg. As the production and adoption of graphene increases, so will the innovations that involve graphene. The automotive, medical equipment, solar energy, and aerospace industries are some of the sectors leading the way for this development. If you are interested in learning more about the evolution and global effects of graphene, make sure you stay up-to-date with our blog and our team at GraphenTech to learn more!
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