Graphene....and why this will be a household word.

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Graphene.

Get to know this word as it looks like it will be a part of our everyday language in days to come.

"The material graphene was touted as "the next big thing" even before its pioneers were handed the Nobel Prize last year. Many believe it could spell the end for silicon and change the future of computers and other devices forever.

Graphene has been touted as the "miracle material" of the 21st Century.

Said to be the strongest material ever measured, an improvement upon and a replacement for silicon and the most conductive material known to man, its properties have sent the science world - and subsequently the media - into a spin.........

More......
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/programmes/click_online/9491789.stm

Large deposits of graphite are located in China, some other places......
and CANADA!

So...all you canucks out there with a few pennies to invest in all those mines that are going to spring up....you'd better get going!

PS...Please remember me with kindness when you make your first million.

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Type: Question • Score: 6 • Views: 2,115 • Replies: 10

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I like the bit about possibly being able to roll up your mobile phone and pop it behind your ear like a pencil.

Here's a thought.....Copper will no longer be required for cable (I assume).

Blimey!

Any other ideas?

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We should be making bridges and buildings out of this kind of stuff.

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@Old Goat,

I think graphene is only a few atoms thick....

I doubt there's much call for mining it.

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@gungasnake,

I'm sure that'll be in the works once they figure out the whole conductivity angle.

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@Old Goat,

AS I understand it, with Moore's Law topping out sooner or later with our current silicon based technology this new carbon structure just might continue the surge towards greater and more powerful (and hopefully cheaper and cheaper) computers.

ftp://download.intel.com/museum/Moores_Law/Printed_Materials/Moores_Law_2pg.pdf

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@Old Goat,

Quote:

According to the Nobel prize committee, a hypothetical one-metre-square hammock of perfect graphene could support a four-kilogram cat - the hammock would weigh 0.77 milligrams, less than a cat's whisker, and would be virtually invisible
Richard Van Noorden, Nature Magazine

I see a dangerous new twist on the 'plastic wrap over a door way or toilet seat' practical joke...

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@Old Goat,

Is there any of this in Australia?

1 Reply

@WendyLou,

Just go to here.....

http://www.australianminesatlas.gov.au/?site=atlas&tool=search

...and type in graphite on the search.

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@Old Goat,

wikipedia wrote:

Graphite occurs in metamorphic rocks as a result of the reduction of sedimentary carbon compounds during metamorphism. It also occurs in igneous rocks and in meteorites.[3] Minerals associated with graphite include quartz, calcite, micas and tourmaline. In meteorites it occurs with troilite and silicate minerals.[3]
According to the United States Geological Survey (USGS), world production of natural graphite in 2008 was 1,110 thousand tonnes (kt), of which the following major exporters are: China (800 kt), India (130 kt), Brazil (76 kt), North Korea (30 kt) and Canada (28 kt). Graphite is not mined in US, but US production of synthetic graphite in 2007 was 198 kt valued at $1.18 billion. US graphite consumption was 42 kt and 200 kt for natural and synthetic graphite, respectively.[6]

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/9/97/2005graphite.PNG

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Whilst I was busy pickling my walnuts last night, I tried to think of some interesting uses for this stuff.

Parachutes that could be stored in your top pocket.
Transparent submarines for tourists.
"Barely there" one size fits all condoms.
Bungee jumping with a spider thread diameter cord.
Flak/bullet proof all in one suits.
Invisible trampolines.
Invisible viewing platforms (eg Grand Canyon)
Very interesting support bikinis for even the largest of ladies.
Invisible male corsets for those beer belly vs. beach moments.

The possibilities are endless.....

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Graphene....and why this will be a household word.

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