Graphene is a single layer of carbon atoms arranged in a hexagonal, honeycomb lattice. It was first isolated in 2004 by Andre Geim and Konstantin Novoselov, work that earned them the 2010 Nobel Prize in Physics. Since then it has become one of the most studied materials in science.
Graphene's Applications in the Automotive Industry
Cars are a natural fit for graphene: manufacturers want parts that are lighter, last longer and protect better, without changing how those parts are made. Graphene is usually added in small amounts to materials automakers and suppliers already use, such as polymers, coatings, lubricants and fluids.
Where we've already put graphene into automotive products
Car care. Our first client was ITW, the company behind the Rain-X and Black Magic brands. Working with ITW's engineering team, we developed four graphene-enhanced car care products that reached store shelves:
Graphene in the Electronics Industry
Graphene's electrical and thermal properties have made it one of the most researched materials in electronics. Electrons move through it very quickly, it conducts heat well, and a single layer is thin, flexible and nearly transparent.
What research has shown
Research labs have built graphene transistors that operate at very high frequencies; in 2010 IBM reported a graphene transistor running at 100 GHz. A major obstacle is that graphene has no natural band gap, so it doesn't switch "off" the way silicon does. Researchers are working on ways around this, such as chemical doping, strain and combining graphene with other materials. Graphene-based processors are not a commercial product today.
Graphene's Use in Construction
Concrete is one of the most promising places to use graphene, because a very small dose can change how the material performs and it fits into existing mixing processes.
What our testing showed
Our graphene concentrate, added to concrete at about 1% of the mix, gave a 67% gain in compressive strength in testing. Results depend on the mix design, cement, aggregates and curing, so we test with you in your own mix before any change to a design. See graphene in concrete and the concrete additive press release.
Graphene in the Healthcare Industry
Graphene is being researched for healthcare because of its conductivity, its large surface area and how easily its surface can be modified. Most healthcare uses are still in research or early development, and medical products need regulatory approval before use.
Graphene's integration into Textiles
Graphene can be added to textiles as a coating, a printed layer or a filler in fibers. Researchers and brands are using it to add functions that ordinary fabrics don't have.
