What is graphene, described by the scientific world as a ‘beautiful material’, what does it do and what are its disadvantages?
September 13, 2023
0
The 20th century and before were filled with more discoveries, that is, we discovered existing things. The post-20th century literally became an age of invention, as we created
The 20th century and before were filled with more discoveries, that is, we discovered existing things. The post-20th century literally became an age of invention, as we created new things using the things we discovered. Graphene is one of these inventions. Research into the invention of graphene, which is actually a type of carbon product, has been going on for many years, but its full emergence is quite recent.
The reason why graphene is so important is that it almost is thinner and more durable than any material we know is that it is. For this reason, the fact that graphene, also known as the wonder material, is almost transparent has raised some doubts, because this substance can penetrate us and do whatever we want. Let’s look at it from the perspective of science and look for answers to questions like what is graphene, what is it used for and what are its disadvantages?
Let’s get to know this material first; What is graphene?
In its most basic definition, graphene is a two-dimensional and hexagonal form of a crystalline carbon atom. These hexagonal structures can exist alone or in combination can achieve a sort of honeycomb appearance and this causes the material to expand. We can remember the carbon atom from the graphite and diamond substance in the pencil. Here, graphene is a similarly synthesized form of the carbon atom.
Is graphene a newly invented material?
In fact, Phillip Russel Wallace, a Canadian theoretical physicist, developed a single-atom carbon structure in the 1940s. However, this idea, which remained theoretical, did not seem applicable to many scientists. Two physicists named Andre Geim and Konstantin Novoselov They succeeded in synthesizing this substance in 2004 and were awarded the Nobel Prize in Physics in 2010. The duo managed to isolate graphene by transferring carbon atoms to a kind of silicon dioxide layer.
Graphene has many properties that make it unique:
First of all, graphene is a two-dimensional form of carbon, so it is extremely useful. It is almost completely transparent, extremely flexible and also conductive. The most striking feature of graphene, a very light material, is that it is 200 times stronger than steel. All these properties are more than enough to make it an indispensable wonder material, especially in the world of technology.
Where is graphene used? These are the areas of graphene use we expect to see frequently in the coming years:
High-quality solar-powered batteries
In portable technology batteries
As a coolant in nuclear power plants
For energy saving in thermoelectric power stations
For fast distillation in the alcohol distillation process
As a performance enhancer in fuel cells
To deliver chemotherapy drugs to the cells
To detect cancer cells
In DNA improvements
Abnormal cell detection and treatment
In the diabetes monitoring process
Reducing the time spent on dialysis
For bone and tooth implantation
in the field of tissue engineering
When detecting UV levels
In recognizing the electrical activities of the brain
With HIV diagnosis
As a biosensor for various detections
As a bactericidal agent
As a form of contraception
Bio-integrated devices for people with speech and hearing problems
With body scans
In LED-like light production
Transistor in computer acceleration
In waterproof products
In portable electronic products
On touchscreens
Advanced flexible displays
To expand hard drive memory and similar storage areas
In elastic robot parts
As a superconductor
In optical communication materials
With optical sensors
In security sensors
For the hygiene of food packaging
In water treatment systems
In desalination systems
In factory sensors
Food safety measures
In much more durable shoes, helmets, clothing, sports equipment and similar products
For more sustainable building materials
With the aim of strengthening all electronic products
To make all transportation vehicles, especially automotive, flexible and powerful
In military products
Wait, don’t get excited yet. Yes, some areas on this list are already using graphene, but many are still in the design phase. It is known that patents on the use of graphene have been obtained in some areas. However, its use will still have to wait for many years, especially in the medical field.
Because the damage from graphene is extremely frightening, many different conspiracy theories exist about it:
Honestly, because everything we have explained so far are scientific facts or supported theories about graphene. We don’t think it’s appropriate to talk about conspiracy theories that have no evidence on the subject. No, they put it in ice, no, they injected us with a vaccine, no, they were going to turn us all into monkeys. Dear reader, there is not even a shred of evidence for such claims at this time.
Does graphene cause damage? Of course that’s true! Moreover, some of the damage can even be fatal. After all, we are talking about a carbon atom, a chemical substance. When you continuously inhale this type of material, the risk of lung cancer is unavoidable. If it continually touches your skin, your skin cells will die. If it is released from the factory where it is produced, the surrounding nature is completely destroyed. So yes, graphene can indeed become a harmful substance.
If you think it’s harmful, let’s go destroy the graphene factories, please calm down. Make sure that most of the materials used in the device you are reading this article on are can cause similar effects. However, these effects are subjected to numerous processes to disappear. The only problem is that not many processes have been developed for graphene yet. This is precisely why the widespread use of graphene will only be possible in the future.
Conclusion: Is graphene the devil or the angel?
Let’s accept this first of all, Graphene is a great invention. It is very thin, almost transparent, conductive and also extremely strong. Rest assured, in a future that we will likely witness live, we will see that products produced with graphene will literally save lives, let alone make our lives easier.
Graphene is a beautiful material, but is it a miracle, of course not. In addition to what we mentioned above It can have numerous harmful consequences that we have not yet discovered. But everything has some damage if it is not brought under control. The most important thing is that these can be kept under control. But rest assured: smoking, eating fast food, being sedentary and looking at the screen twenty hours a day do more harm than eating a handful of graphene every day.
It is called the wonder material in the scientific world. What is graphene, what is it used for and what are its disadvantages? We have answered frequently asked questions, such as: All we have explained are the scientific facts known today about graphene. Maybe this will all change tomorrow, but isn’t that the beauty of science?
Sources: National Library of Medicine, PCC, Nanography, Graphene Flagship
Follow Webtekno on Threads and don’t miss the news
Ashley Johnson is a science writer for “Div Bracket”. With a background in the natural sciences and a passion for exploring the mysteries of the universe, she provides in-depth coverage of the latest scientific developments.