#graphene

These graphene experts are trying to close the reproducibility gap in 2D materials research

Too much work on graphene and related materials cannot be repeated—a problem that wastes time and holds back commercialization. New rules could help solve it

Ever since graphene’s debut in 2004, this atom-thin sheet of carbon has been touted as a revolutionary material because of its remarkable strength and electrical conductivity, as well as other outstanding properties. Its discovery triggered a wave of other 2D materials—including hexagonal boron nitride and molybdenum disulfide—many of which could serve as components in electronic devices. But these materials can be difficult to work with; even minor variations in lab conditions can affect their properties. Researchers often find that results produced by another lab cannot be replicated in their own. Some believe that this “reproducibility gap” is slowing the translation of 2D materials into applications—a process known as technology transfer. “We can’t say we are working in a serious way on tech transfer if at the same time we’re not doing proper work on reporting and transparency,” says Peter Bøggild, who researches 2D materials at the Technical University of Denmark.

A new research report is adding another piece to a larger scientific puzzle, and the important part is not the drama of the finding but the practical work it could make possible. For readers, the useful question is what the research changes: whether it gives scientists a cleaner measurement, a better tool, or a result strong enough for other teams to test. Continue reading Twisted graphene…

Machine learning proves that graphene is hydrophobic

For more than a decade, a fundamental mystery has surrounded graphene—the one-atom-thick "wonder material" known for its exceptional strength, conductivity, and transparency. Despite its seemingly simple structure, one basic question has remained unresolved: Does graphene attract water, or repel it? The answer has proven surprisingly elusive. In some experiments, water droplets bead up on graphene, suggesting a hydrophobic (water-repellent) surface. In others, water spreads out, implying hydrophilic (water-attracting) behavior. This contradiction has fueled a long-running scientific debate and created uncertainty for applications such as desalination membranes, hydrogen fuel cells, and nanoelectronic devices, where precise control of water at interfaces is essential.

Our future spacecrafts will be made of Graphene Aerogel because it is strong and light. Dr Maggie Lieu @SpaceMog tells us about transparent Lightsails. Flying through space by beaming a focused light ray to the Graphene Aerogel Lightsail. Maggie explains that the Graphene Aerogel LightSail doesn’t need to be big to catch the sunlight. No, it sounds like she is saying a laser pen light is what…

Graphene 'scaffold' recruits bone cells and helps the body regenerate fractures

Experiments conducted in Brazil using laboratory rats have shown that graphene-based structures can act as a powerful ally in bone regeneration. These structures are made of sheets of the chemical element carbon that are just one atom thick. They can help heal fractures or bone loss. In the tests, the biocompatible matrix containing graphene facilitated nearly 90% repair of the damage sustained by the test subjects one month after the fracture was induced in the laboratory—a superior performance to that of other materials used in the research. The analysis of the performance of the biomaterial was published in the journal Scientific Reports. Daniela Franco Bueno of the Albert Einstein Israeli Faculty of Health Sciences and Guilherme Lenz e Silva of the Engineering School of the University of São Paulo (POLI-USP) coordinated the study.