#microfluidicsenabled

Sheet positioning and orientation order of graphene structures caused by microfluidics style allow the microstructure control and optimization of thermal-mechanical and electronic residential or commercial properties of macroscopic graphene fibers.

A group of researchers at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute has actually established a brand-new microfluidics-assisted method for establishing high-performance macroscopic graphene fibers. Graphene fiber, a just recently found member of the carbon fiber household, has prospective applications in varied technological locations, from energy storage, electronic devices and optics, electro-magnetics, thermal conductor and thermal management, to structural applications.

Their findings are released in a recently launched concern of Nature Nanotechnology. It has actually traditionally been challenging to all at once enhance both the thermal/electrical and the mechanical residential or commercial properties of graphene fibers. Nevertheless, the Rensselaer group has actually shown their capability to do both.

Macroscopic graphene fibers can be produced by fluidics-enabled assembly from 2D graphene oxide sheets distributed in liquid options forming lyotropic liquid crystal. Strong sizes and shape confinements are shown for great control of the graphene sheet positioning and orientation, vital for understanding graphene fibers with high thermal, electrical, and mechanical residential or commercial properties. This microfluidics-enabled assembly technique likewise offers the versatility to customize the microstructures of the graphene fibers by managing circulation patterns.

“The control of different flow patterns offers a unique opportunity and flexibility in tailoring macroscopic graphene structures from perfectly aligned graphene fibers and tubes to 3D open architecture with vertically aligned graphene sheet arrangement,” stated Jie Lian, a teacher in the Rensselaer Department of Mechanical, Aerospace, and Nuclear Engineering (HAIR) and the lead author on the short article.

The current short article constructs on work by Lian’s group that was formerly released in Science in2015 This work, which is sponsored by the National Science Structure, is a cooperation with fellow HAIR researchers, consisting of Partner Teacher Lucy Zhang and Teacher Suvranu De, who heads the department.

“This research paves the way for new sciences to optimize the fiber assembly and microstructure to develop high-performance graphene fibers,” stated Lian. “This approach could be extended to other materials to manufacture hierarchical structures for diverse functional applications.”

Sheet alignment and orientation order of graphene structures induced by microfluidics design enable the microstructure control and optimization of thermal-mechanical and electronic properties of macroscopic graphene fibers.

A team of researchers at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute has developed a new microfluidics-assisted technique for developing high-performance macroscopic graphene fibers. Graphene fiber, a recently discovered member of the carbon fiber family, has potential applications in diverse technological areas, from energy storage, electronics and optics, electro-magnetics, thermal conductor and thermal management, to structural applications.

Their findings are published in a newly released issue of Nature Nanotechnology. It has historically been difficult to simultaneously optimize both the thermal/electrical and the mechanical properties of graphene fibers. However, the Rensselaer team has demonstrated their ability to do both.

Macroscopic graphene fibers can be manufactured by fluidics-enabled assembly from 2D graphene oxide sheets dispersed in aqueous solutions forming lyotropic liquid crystal. Strong shape and size confinements are demonstrated for fine control of the graphene sheet alignment and orientation, critical for realizing graphene fibers with high thermal, electrical, and mechanical properties. This microfluidics-enabled assembly method also provides the flexibility to tailor the microstructures of the graphene fibers by controlling flow patterns.

“The control of different flow patterns offers a unique opportunity and flexibility in tailoring macroscopic graphene structures from perfectly aligned graphene fibers and tubes to 3D open architecture with vertically aligned graphene sheet arrangement,” said Jie Lian, a professor in the Rensselaer Department of Mechanical, Aerospace, and Nuclear Engineering (MANE) and the lead author on the article.

The latest article builds on work by Lian’s group that was previously published in Sciencein 2015. This work, which is sponsored by the National Science Foundation, is a collaboration with fellow MANE researchers, including Associate Professor Lucy Zhang and Professor Suvranu De, who heads the department.

“This research paves the way for new sciences to optimize the fiber assembly and microstructure to develop high-performance graphene fibers,” said Lian. “This approach could be extended to other materials to manufacture hierarchical structures for diverse functional applications.”