Graphene

• What is graphene?


  Graphene is a super thin layer of graphite, an atom thick layer of carbon shaped in a honeycomb lattice.
• Why is graphene considered almost invisible to the human eye?


  Because it is extremely thin, making it difficult to see.
• How has graphene been used to enhance products?


  Graphene has been used to enhance touch screens and electronic components.
• What are some examples of graphene-enhanced composite materials?


  Tennis rackets, skis, and tyres.
• Where does graphene come from?


  Graphene comes from graphite, which is a type of rock.
• When was graphene first isolated and created?


  Graphene was isolated and created in 2004.
• Who were the scientists that isolated graphene?


  Two Russian scientists working at the University of Manchester.
• What process did the scientists use to obtain graphene?


  They used mechanical exfoliation, which involved peeling sticky tape off a graphite rock.
• Why is graphene considered expensive to produce?


  Because it is a newly developed material and the production methods are complex.
• What is the significance of graphene's properties?


  Graphene's properties could revolutionize practically every product we use.
• What are the key properties of graphene?


  • Thinnest material in the world (1 million times thinner than a human hair)
  • Strongest material in the world (200 times stronger than steel)
  • Most conductive material in the world (conducts electricity faster than copper or silicon)
  • Most flexible material in the world (more flexible than paper, rubber, and plastic)
  • Almost transparent (only absorbs about 2% of light)
• How does graphene enhance sports and recreation products?


  Graphene enhances products by making them lighter and optimizing weight distribution.
• What is one potential future application of graphene in electronics?


  Graphene could lead to flexible mobile phones and wearable technologies.
• How might graphene impact battery and solar technologies?


  Graphene could enable solar cells to produce electricity more efficiently and allow super capacitors to charge quickly.
• What potential does graphene have in the field of military and aerospace?


  Graphene could lead to stronger, lighter, and faster airplanes through enhanced composites.
• What is the student task related to graphene?


  Conduct online research into the possible impact of graphene on car technology.
• What are the revision questions related to graphene?


  1. Outline four properties which make graphene so significant.
  2. Identify one product which currently makes use of graphene and explain how this product has been improved.
  3. Give two ways in which graphene could potentially change future homes or products found within the home.
• What is the significance of graphene being the thinnest material in the world?


  It allows for applications in various technologies where space and weight are critical.
• How does graphene's strength compare to steel?


  Graphene is 200 times stronger than steel.
• In what way does graphene's conductivity surpass that of copper and silicon?


  Graphene conducts electricity faster than both copper and silicon.
• Why is graphene considered flexible?


  Graphene is more flexible than paper, rubber, and plastic.
• What percentage of light does graphene absorb?


  Graphene absorbs about 2% of light.
• How does graphene enhance the performance of sports equipment?


  It allows players to generate more kinetic energy with less effort.
• What are the implications of graphene's potential to revolutionize products?


  It could lead to significant advancements in technology and materials science.
• How might graphene change the way we generate electricity in homes?


  Graphene could enable homes to generate their own electricity and live off the grid.
• What is the role of graphene in modern composites?


  Graphene can give modern composites greater mechanical strength.
• What is the potential impact of graphene on air travel?


  Graphene could lead to stronger, lighter, and faster airplanes.
• How does the production of graphene relate to its potential applications?


  The race is on to develop cost-effective mass production methods for graphene due to its game-changing properties.
• What are some current commercial applications of graphene?


  Some graphene-related products are already being produced commercially, while others are still prototypes.
• What is the significance of graphene's transparency?


  Graphene is almost transparent, which allows for various optical applications.
• How does graphene's flexibility compare to traditional materials?


  Graphene is more flexible than traditional materials like paper, rubber, and plastic.
• What challenges exist in the mass production of graphene?


  The challenge lies in developing cost-effective methods for mass production.
• What is the potential of graphene in the field of solar technology?

  Graphene could significantly enhance the efficiency of solar cells.
• What is the relationship between graphene and titanium?


  Graphene is stronger than titanium.
• How does graphene's conductivity compare to that of silicon?


  Graphene conducts electricity faster than silicon.
• What implications does graphene's strength have for future product development?


  Graphene's strength could lead to the creation of lighter and stronger products across various industries.
• What is the significance of graphene's hardness?


  Graphene has the hardness of a diamond, making it suitable for durable applications.
• What is the potential of graphene in the automotive industry?


  Graphene could improve car performance, safety, and comfort.
• How does graphene's production relate to its future applications?


  Ongoing research aims to make graphene production more cost-effective for widespread use.
• What are the potential long-term applications of graphene?


  Many potential applications could take several years or decades to develop.