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From Lab to Reality: Is the Graphene Revolution Finally Within Reach?

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ASince graphene was first synthesized at the University of Manchester in 2004, it has been recognized as a remarkable material—stronger than steel yet lighter than paper. Fast forward 20 years, and not all UK graphene enterprises have been able to harness its full capabilities. Some view the future with optimism, while others face significant challenges.

Derived from graphite, the same substance used in pencils, graphene consists of a lattice-like sheet of carbon just one atom thick, boasting impressive conductivity for both heat and electricity. Presently, China is the leading global producer, leveraging this to secure an edge in the race for microchip production and construction applications.

In the UK, graphene-enhanced low-carbon concrete, developed by the Graphene Engineering Innovation Center (GEIC) at the University of Manchester in collaboration with Cemex UK, was recently installed at Northumbrian Waters in July.

“The material had an overwhelming amount of hype as it came out of academia… the real challenge lies in transitioning it from the lab to actual production,” explains Ben Jensen, CEO of 2D Photonics, a startup that originated from the University of Cambridge, specializing in graphene-based photonics technology for data centers.

Jensen was also behind the invention of Vantablack, a coating made from carbon nanotubes (rolled graphene sheets) renowned as the “blackest black” due to its ability to absorb 99.96% of light. He founded Surrey Nanosystems in 2007, where he sold exclusive artistic rights to sculptor Anish Kapoor, who featured the material on the X6 Coupe to achieve the “blackest black” effect six years ago.

Anish Kapoor’s untitled Vantablack piece was displayed in Venice in 2022. Photo: David Levin/The Guardian

“Shifting to new materials to replace existing technologies presents a significant challenge,” Jensen states. “The value proposition must be compelling, while also ensuring that the material can be manufactured efficiently at scale and priced competitively, otherwise, there’s little point in offering something ten times more costly than existing products.”

German company Bayer attempted to produce large quantities of carbon nanotube items but shuttered its pilot plant over a decade ago when a surge in demand failed to materialize. Currently, this material finds its primary use as a filler to enhance the strength of plastic products. Bayer has referred to the potential applications for nanotubes as “fragmentary.”

More promising is a graphene-based optical microchip created by CamGraPhIC, a branch of 2D Photonics, stemming from research at the University of Cambridge and CNIT in Italy.

Silicon photonics microchips currently translate electrical data into optical signals for transmission through fiber optic cables. The company claims its graphene-based chips can transmit more data in less time and at significantly lower costs.

Graphene single crystal. Photo: 2D Photonics

These chips consume 80% less energy and are capable of functioning across a broader temperature range, minimizing the requirement for costly water and energy-intensive cooling systems in AI data centers.

Transmitting data through silicon often leads to delays. Jensen compares this issue to a 16-lane highway unexpectedly narrowing down to one lane due to construction, slowing down traffic significantly. He argues that graphene photonics functions like an expansive highway with hundreds of lanes.

“Our breakthrough lies in the capability to cultivate stable, ultra-high performance graphene and effectively integrate it into devices,” he asserts. “Keep in mind, this material is only one atom thick, which makes the process particularly challenging.”

Ben Jensen, CEO of 2D Photonics. Photo: Ermanno Fissole

CamGraPhIC was established in 2018 by Professor Andrea Ferrari, a Cambridge Nanotechnology professor, who also heads the Cambridge Graphene Center, alongside Marco Romagnoli, head of advanced photonics at CNIT in Pisa and the startup’s chief scientific officer.

The parent company, 2D Photonics, recently acquired £25m in funding from a diverse group of investors, including Italy’s sovereign wealth fund, NATO, the Sony Innovation Fund, Bosch Ventures, and the UK’s Frontier IP Group. The firm will be based in the former Pirelli photonics research facility in Pisa and aims to launch a pilot manufacturing site in the Milan region designed for large-scale production of 200mm wafers, confident in receiving an additional €317m (£276m) in funding by year-end.

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Aside from data centers, the company’s chips have potential uses in high-performance computing, 5G and 6G mobile systems, aviation technologies, autonomous vehicles, advanced digital radar, non-satellite space communications, and beyond.

Paragraph, a spin-out from Cambridge University located in the nearby village of Somersham, has thrived in the past decade with backing from the UK Treasury. The firm creates graphene-based electronic devices, including sensors designed for electric vehicles and biosensors for early disease detection and various applications in medicine and agriculture. Recently, they secured $55 million (£41 million) from a group of investors, including a sovereign wealth fund from the United Arab Emirates, which acquired a 12.8% share in Paragraph.

Graphene Innovations Manchester, a fledgling company started by Vivek Konchery in 2021, finalized a deal with Saudi Arabia in December for the first commercial production of graphene-enhanced carbon fiber. This material will be utilized in constructing roofs, facades, and light poles. Production has begun in Tabuk with local partners, with an expected output of 3,000 tons by 2026.

2D photonics cleanroom at the Pisa development facility. Photo: 2D Photonics

Conversely, other companies are facing harsher realities. One of the pioneering firms in this domain, Applied Graphene Materials, was launched in 2010 by Professor Carl Coleman, a spin-out from Durham University. It introduced various products, such as anti-corrosion primers and bike detail protection sprays, which became available in Halfords stores. However, the struggling company declared bankruptcy in 2023, resulting in its main operations being acquired by Canada’s Universal Matter.

Ron Mertens, the owner of Graphene-Info, remarked, “As is often true in the broader materials industry, the path to market can be lengthy. Many graphene producers and developers have yet to generate substantial revenue or profit.”

Versarian, located in Gloucestershire, expanded from a garage startup with support from the government agency Innovate UK. They developed graphene powder and other products for usage in sensors, low-carbon concrete, paints, electronic inks, textiles, and more, including running gear and prototype stealth technologies for the US military.

The AIM-listed firm sought to establish operations in Spain and South Korea, but encountered financial troubles, leading several subsidiaries to enter administration or voluntary liquidation in July. Versarian is now looking to sell off assets, such as its patent portfolio, and currently has enough funds to last only until the end of October.

Depending on the nature of the upcoming transactions, this may trigger a liquidation process for the company or a financial shelter. Their investment agreement with a Chinese partner collapsed after the British government intervened to block any technological collaboration, marking a somber potential finale for what was once a promising graphene venture.

Source: www.theguardian.com

Electrons in Graphene Accelerate to Supersonic Speeds

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Hydraulic jumps occur when swift and slow streams of water intersect at a boundary.

Durk Gardenier / Alamy

Researchers have achieved an unprecedented feat: accelerating electrons to supersonic speeds, generating shock waves.

The flow of electricity through devices resembles the flow of a river, yet they differ greatly. Electrons collide with atoms as they traverse matter, while water droplets in a river frequently collide with one another. In 2016, scientists managed to make electrons flow like a viscous liquid in the ultrathin carbon material, graphene. Recently, Cory Dean and his team at Columbia University in New York have taken this further, introducing electrons into graphene, which resulted in a hydraulic jump due to the high speed of particle flow.

Picture a jump in water pressure while doing the dishes. When you turn on a faucet, you experience a similar phenomenon, with a chaotic ring-like border forming in the sink beneath, separating fast and slow flows. “In a way, it’s akin to a sonic boom happening in your kitchen sink,” remarks Doug Natelson from Rice University, who was not involved in the study.

Designing the electronic version was a complex task. The researchers crafted a microscopic nozzle using two layers of graphene, emulating the “de Laval nozzle,” a design from the 19th century often utilized in rocket engines. This nozzle is tapered in the center, allowing fluid to maintain acceleration and produce a shock wave upon exit if it reaches supersonic speeds within the constriction.

However, detecting the hydraulic jump posed a challenge, as it had never been observed with electrons before. Team member Abhay Pasupathy explains that instead of measuring electrons’ flow as usual, they utilized a specialized microscope to map the voltage at various points along the nozzle.

Natelson notes the intricate process of refining the graphene structure to ensure the electrons could “puff it in the cheek,” meaning they had to compress it sufficiently to enter this more dramatic phenomenon. The team’s achievement in resolving the hydraulic jump is technically remarkable, given the minuscule size of the graphene nozzle, according to Thomas Schmidt at the University of Luxembourg.

Now that they can accelerate electrons to such speeds, researchers aim to explore long-standing inquiries concerning charged shock waves. Dean mentions an ongoing debate about whether hydraulic jumps emit radiation that could potentially be harnessed for new infrared or radio generators. “Every experimenter we’re discussing with is figuring out how to detect this emission. Conversely, there’s a prevailing opinion among theorists that no emissions occur. There remains uncertainty about what is truly happening,” he concludes.

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Source: www.newscientist.com

Researchers uncover natural graphene flakes in lunar soil samples

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Planetary scientists have identified layers of graphene formed alongside complex minerals in lunar regolith samples collected by China's Chang'e-5 probe, a discovery that provides new insight into the origins of the Moon and supports the hypothesis that it contains carbon.

Structural and compositional characteristics of few-layer graphene in lunar soil samples from Chang'e-5. Image courtesy of Zhang others., doi: 10.1093/nsr/nwae211.

“Graphene's novel physical phenomena and extraordinary properties have revolutionized research in condensed matter physics and materials science,” said Professor Zhang Wei of Jilin University and his colleagues.

“It plays an increasingly important role in a wide range of fields, including planetary and space sciences.”

“It is estimated that about 1.9% of all interstellar carbon exists in the form of graphene, and protosolar graphene has been identified in carbonaceous chondrite meteorites.”

The researchers analyzed an olive-shaped lunar soil sample measuring about 2.9 millimeters by 1.6 millimeters, collected by the Chang'e-5 mission in 2020.

Using a specialised spectrometer, they discovered iron compounds in the carbon-rich parts of the sample that are closely related to the formation of graphene.

The researchers then used advanced microscopy and mapping techniques to determine that the carbon content within their samples was made up of “flakes” of two to seven layers of graphene.

The scientists propose that few layers of graphene could have formed during volcanic activity in the Moon's early existence, catalysed by solar wind stirring up the lunar soil and iron-containing minerals, prompting a change in the structure of carbon atoms.

Meteorite impacts creating high temperature and pressure environments may also have led to the formation of graphene.

“The first study to confirm the presence of native few-layer graphene in lunar soil samples by examining its microstructure and composition,” the authors said.

“Our discovery provides new insight into the origin of the Moon and supports the hypothesis that the Moon contains carbon.”

“Moreover, graphene's unusual properties depend strongly on its structure and environment.”

“Further investigation of the properties of natural graphene could provide more information about the geological evolution of the Moon.”

“Consequently, the formation of natural graphene by mineral catalysis sheds light on the development of low-cost, scalable synthesis techniques for high-quality graphene.”

“This will therefore propel a new lunar exploration program forward, with some exciting breakthroughs in the future.”

of Investigation result Published in the journal National Science Review.

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Zhang Wei othersNatural few-layer graphene discovered on the moon. National Science ReviewPublished online June 17, 2024; doi: 10.1093/nsr/nwae211

Source: www.sci.news

Exploring the Potential of Graphene: A Revolutionary Material in Materials Science

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Twenty years ago, scientists announced the creation of a new miracle substance that would revolutionize our lives. They named it graphene.

Graphene is made up of a single layer of carbon atoms arranged in a hexagonal pattern, making it one of the strongest materials ever produced. It is more resistant to electricity than copper and has excellent heat conductivity.

The potential applications of graphene seemed limitless, with predictions of ultra-fast processors, quicker battery charging, and stronger concrete. It was even proposed as a solution for potholes in roads.


Professor Andre Geim (left) and Professor Konstantin Novoselov from the University of Manchester discovered graphene. Photo: John Super/AP

The scientists behind the discovery, Andre Geim and Konstantin Novoselov, received the Nobel Prize in Physics in 2010 for their work. The National Graphene Institute was established at the University of Manchester.

Despite the initial hype, the graphene revolution has not materialized as expected. Challenges in scaling up production have hindered its widespread adoption.

Sir Colin Humphreys, a materials science professor at Queen Mary University of London, pointed out that the main issue lies in the difficulty of producing graphene on a large scale.

He explained that the original method of creating graphene was not conducive to mass production and that significant investments by companies like IBM, Samsung, and Intel have been made to develop scalable production methods.

Recent advancements in manufacturing techniques show promise for the resurgence of graphene technology. Companies like Paragraph are now producing graphene-based devices in large quantities.

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Graphene-based devices are being used for various applications, including sensors for detecting magnetic fields and differentiating between bacterial and viral infections.

Additionally, graphene devices are expected to be more energy-efficient than current technologies, offering a promising future for the material.

While the graphene revolution may have been delayed, it holds the potential to address pressing global challenges and significantly impact modern life.


Graphene “has the potential to make a real difference to modern life,” says Sir Colin Humphreys, professor of materials science.
Photo: AddMeshCube/Alamy

The hyped science failed to make the grade.

  • nuclear power “Our children will have immeasurably cheap electrical energy in their homes.” – Louis Strauss, then chairman of the U.S. Atomic Energy Commission, in 1954.

  • Sinclair C5 “This is the future of transportation” – promotional materials for the 1985 Sinclair C5 electric scooter/car. Sales in the first year were predicted to be 100,000 units, but only 5,000 units were sold. Project has been abandoned.

  • medical advances “The time has come to close the book on infectious diseases and declare that the war on epidemics has been won” – in the words of Dr. William H. Stewart, Surgeon General of the United States from 1965 to 1969.

Source: www.theguardian.com

Faster computers on the horizon with first commercially available graphene semiconductor

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The team's graphene device grown on a silicon carbide substrate chip

Georgia Tech

A functioning, scalable semiconductor has been created from graphene for the first time, potentially paving the way for new types of computers that are faster and more efficient than today's silicon chips.

Graphene is a material made from a single layer of carbon atoms that is stronger than an equivalent thickness of steel. It is an excellent conductor of electricity and has excellent resistance to heat and acids. But despite its benefits, practical graphene semiconductors that can be controlled to conduct or insulate electricity at will have eluded scientists. Such semiconductors are key to creating the logic chips that power computers.

The problem is the lack of something known as a bandgap. Semiconductors have higher and lower energy bands and points at which excited electrons can hop from one to the other, or band gaps. This effectively turns the flow of current on and off, making it conductive or non-conducting, creating the binary number system of zeros and ones used in digital computers.

Previous research has shown that graphene can be made to behave like a semiconductor on small scales, but it has never been scaled up to a size that could be used in computer chips. Previous research has shown that wrinkles, domes, and holes in graphene sheets can have unusual effects on the flow of electricity, and that creating the right conditions for defects could lead to the creation of logical chips. It is shown. But so far nothing has scaled up.

now, Walter de Heer His colleagues at the Georgia Institute of Technology in Atlanta created graphene with a bandgap and demonstrated its operation as a transistor, an on/off switch that prevents or allows current to flow. Their process relies on technology similar to that used to create silicon chips, which should make it even more useful for scaling up.

De Heer's group used heated silicon carbide wafers to force the silicon to evaporate before the carbon, effectively leaving a layer of graphene on top. At the time of writing, Mr. de Heer was not available for an interview. said in a statement The electrical properties of graphene semiconductors were much better than those of silicon chips. “It's like driving on a gravel road versus driving on a highway,” he said.

Silicon chips are cheap to manufacture and supported by huge manufacturing infrastructures around the world, but we are reaching the limits of what these chips can do. Moore's Law states that the number of transistors in a circuit doubles approximately every two years, but the rate of miniaturization has slowed in recent years as circuit densities have been reached where engineers cannot reliably control the electrons. are doing. Graphene circuits have the potential to reignite progress, but hurdles remain.

“The fact that we're using wafers is important because it's really scalable,” he says. david carey At the University of Surrey, UK. “We can scale up this process using all the technologies that the entire semiconductor industry is familiar with.”

But Carey is skeptical that this development means the world will soon move from silicon to graphene chips. That's because new research requires many improvements in transistor size, quality, and manufacturing technology, and silicon has a huge head start.

“Most people who work in silicon research are exposed every day to new amazing materials that are trying to replace silicon, and nothing like this has ever happened before,” he says. . “If you're a silicon enthusiast, you'll be sitting pretty happily on top of the mountain. The idea of ​​replacing your laptop with graphene isn't quite there yet.”

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Source: www.newscientist.com