Applications for graphene and other 2D materials
The extraordinary physical properties of graphene and other 2D materials have the potential to both enhance existing technologies and also create a range of new applications.
Pure graphene has an exceptionally wide range of mechanical, thermal and electrical properties. These give it the ability to improve the performance of many products and materials. The ‘enabling’ characteristics of graphene allow it to either replace existing materials used in the manufacture of products or, in some cases, create completely new applications.
Increased strength resulting from strong covalent carbon-to-carbon bonds allows it to be used in a host of mechanical applications.
Graphene can also greatly improve the thermal conductivity of a material improving heat dissipation.
Graphene is very impermeable to both gases and liquids. This property allows it to be exploited for a wide range of barrier applications.
Its low shear strength on surfaces allows it to be used as a ‘friction reducing’ lubricant.
In applications which require very high electrical conductivity graphene can either be used by itself or as an additive to other materials. Even in very low concentrations graphene can greatly enhance the ability of electrical charge to flow in a material.
Graphene’s ability to store electrical energy at very high densities is exceptional. This attribute, added to its ability to rapidly charge and discharge, makes it suitable for energy storage applications.
Although the industrialisation of 2D materials is still at a relatively early stage, based on these and other exceptional properties, applications have already been identified in the following markets:
Graphene Enabled Systems will be looking to identify applications for graphene and other 2D materials in some of these target markets. Where opportunities exist to create applications that meet a well-defined market need from a commercial partner, product demonstrators will be developed in close collaboration with the various teams that form part of the University’s graphene strategy.