Graphene is a big deal these days. Everybody who keeps up with the latest world trends talks about the wonderful abilities of this super-material. There are those who follow the latest news about its research and some even believe in some funny conspiracy theories about it.
The enchanting opportunities graphene provides are truly hard to believe. But they are already here and being successfully implemented into our daily life. The research of graphene is still ongoing and opens more opportunities and discussions with each new discovery. Maybe, in a decade or two, half of the things we see around us will contain this magic substance.
The first commercial product containing graphene available for purchase appeared back in 2011. These were security tags with the ink based on graphene. They were a success and initiated the era of graphene-based goods on the world market. We can’t call it an expansion because currently there are not many available products containing graphene, but we can definitely call it a trend that has the potential to cover the needs of people in many ways.
Why Should Graphene Concern You
The use of graphene is already improving the sphere of healthcare and sports. Sports equipment enhanced with graphene has more strength but weighs less. Moreover, the latest research of graphene is showing a big potential in healing fractured bones and stimulating the growth of new cells. This will make us rethink the entire concept of stem cell therapy treatment.
But let’s think more globally. The implementation of graphene can change lives in the city which will concern everyone who lives there. This is how graphene may and most likely will appear in the daily life of city dwellers.
Better 5G Internet connection
Cooling systems are crucial for wireless Internet modules because the amount of data transferred constantly increases. This leads to overheating of the equipment. The cryocoolers enhanced with graphene provide stable cooling of the base stations without the loss in connection quality.
Better and cheaper energy provision
The solar panels based on graphene and organic crystals promise to be more efficient than the average ones. This technology enlarges the solar units, providing better energy collection which will cost less.
Safer and affordable flights
The weight of a plane has a significant impact on the price of the flight. Graphene will not only make planes lighter without any loss in strength but will also increase it, making traveling by plane safer.
Smarter and smoother driving
The possibilities of using graphene in the automotive industry may open a whole new page in the history of electric cars. The small weight of graphene not only makes them easier to operate and gain better speed for a short amount of time but also reduces energy consumption.
What Are the Problems of Implementing Graphene
One of the factors that is keeping graphene from total world domination, is the fact that it has proved to be toxic for the environment. On one hand, it can be produced from recyclable materials, which is definitely eco-friendly. On the other hand, it can contaminate the surface water by damaging cellular membranes of the living organisms with its sharp nanoparticles.
Moreover, recent studies showed that after tearing those membranes, these particles can get inside the cells and cause abnormal changes in them. This is why the studies are still ongoing, searching for options to offset the harmful effect of graphene because we can really use the opportunities it provides.
Products with graphene keep appearing on the world market despite the risks they may bring because the development of technology is unstoppable. Time and experience will show more, and we are looking forward to seeing how graphene mania will turn out - will it make a new smarter world for us or will it trouble the minds of humanity with new problems to solve.