In this blog post, we explore how graphene could transform futuristic technologies from sci-fi movies into reality, examining both its potential and limitations.
If you love sci-fi movies, you can easily imagine vastly advanced future human societies or highly developed scientific technologies. Do you recall what kind of phones or laptops future humans used in sci-fi movies? Of course, it varies by film and individual memory, but when imagining future laptops or phones, most answers would likely be ‘transparent, paper-thin touchscreens’. While touchscreens are already widely used in reality, the innovative nature of those futuristic devices seen in movies still holds a sense of mystery for us.
So what makes such a futuristic laptop possible, both in design and technology? It’s graphene. Dubbed the ‘dream material,’ graphene has captured the attention and affection of countless scientists and researchers. While the name graphene might sound intimidating, it’s essentially no different from the graphite in everyday pencils. The main component of pencil leads, graphite, is actually formed by multiple layers of graphene stacked together. Thus, graphene has always been close at hand, yet its true potential has only recently begun to be revealed.
Graphene consists of carbon atoms arranged in a hexagonal honeycomb pattern, forming a thin, wide, and continuously connected sheet. Thanks to this unique structure, graphene is both incredibly thin and exceptionally strong. In fact, graphene was first obtained in the past by applying and then peeling off common household Scotch tape from the lead of a pencil. The research team that obtained the world’s first graphene using this seemingly playful method was awarded the Nobel Prize in Physics in 2010. While graphene’s discovery began with such a simple experiment, its effects and potential applications are beyond imagination.
Thanks to the hexagonal arrangement of each atom, graphene’s electronic structure is also unique. Three of the four bonds of each carbon atom form strong bonds, while the remaining one becomes a free-moving electron. This free electron is the key factor making graphene a ‘dream material’. Free electrons conduct electricity much faster and more efficiently than traditional conductors like copper. Consequently, graphene has extremely high electrical conductivity, opening up significant possibilities in the electronics and semiconductor industries.
Furthermore, graphene has a faster electron mobility than silicon, a crucial component in semiconductors. While silicon-based technology has driven the modern electronics industry, the emergence of graphene appears to enable faster and more efficient semiconductor technology. Graphene is less than 0.2 nanometers thick—the thickness of a single carbon atom. Despite this thinness, graphene is extremely stable and is said to be much stronger than steel. In fact, graphene is known to be 200 times stronger than steel relative to its thickness.
Given these properties, one might wonder, “Isn’t it so strong that it won’t break easily?” However, graphene is highly durable yet remarkably elastic, allowing it to bend easily. Moreover, it retains its original physical and chemical properties even after being bent. This will be a crucial feature for creating flexible, lightweight electronic devices. For instance, in the future, we may routinely use foldable smartphones or rollable TV screens.
The advantages of graphene don’t stop there. Its electrical properties are greatly aiding the development of ultra-fast electronic devices. Furthermore, graphene’s light-transmitting nature is being applied in new technological fields like transparent displays and solar cells. Graphene-based solar cells, in particular, are attracting significant attention because they are more efficient than existing silicon-based cells and can reduce manufacturing costs. As solar power generation gains increasing attention as a future energy source, the advancement of graphene technology holds great potential to revolutionize the energy industry.
In this way, graphene holds infinite potential across diverse fields like electronics, energy, and clothing. For instance, using graphene instead of the traditional Kevlar fiber in bulletproof vests could create vests that are significantly lighter yet stronger. This could bring major changes not only to the military but also to police and security sectors. Indeed, graphene bulletproof vests are the subject of extensive research due to their outstanding performance.
However, even this attractive material has limitations. The biggest challenge is the technical and economic difficulty of mass-producing graphene. Producing high-quality graphene requires highly sophisticated technology, but the costs involved are enormous. Conversely, producing graphene cheaply results in lower quality, preventing it from fully demonstrating its remarkable properties. This is one of the critical issues that must be resolved for graphene to become commercially viable.
Fortunately, research to overcome these challenges is actively underway worldwide. Countless researchers are tackling the mass production and quality improvement of graphene, and some positive results have recently been reported. If these technical limitations are resolved, graphene could completely transform the form of the electronic devices we currently use. We can look forward to graphene becoming commercialized soon, bringing us closer to the future we’ve seen in science fiction films.
Graphene’s potential extends far beyond electronics or bulletproof vests. Its applications are even broader and more diverse. For instance, its exceptional electrical conductivity is being researched for use in the medical field. Graphene-based biosensors enable more precise and rapid diagnostics, and attempts are being made to apply graphene to new drug development using nanotechnology. Additionally, research is underway to develop next-generation artificial muscles by leveraging graphene’s strength and flexibility.
Thus, due to its unique properties, graphene is attracting vigorous global research and investment, and it will play a crucial role in all the technological innovations we imagine for the future.
