Graphene paint, just one atom thick, could power homes of the future

[Crisp]

Graphene paint, just one atom thick, could power homes of the future

A new super-slim paint could power homes of the future.

Photo credit: The University of Manchester

Scientists have found a way to use thin slices of graphene to convert solar energy to direct current electricity. The discovery could lead to a whole array of new applications, including a whole new method of creating a sustainable energy source to power buildings of the future.

Graphene is a material made up of a single layer of carbon atoms arranged like a honeycomb. Discovered in 2004 by Professors Andre Geim and Kostya Novoselov, graphene is extracted from graphite, like that found in lead pencils. It is the strongest, thinnest, most conductive material known to science and has led to a wide variety of applications, from medical to smart phones to computer chips. Geim and Novoselov won the 2010 Nobel Prize in physics for their discovery.

Now, scientists from the University of Manchester and the University of Singapore have created ultra-thin graphene surfaces capable of absorbing sunlight and generating electricity as well or better than existing solar panels. These devices could one day be used to develop a kind of coating on the outside of buildings that would produce enough electricity to power all the appliances inside. They also would be capable of performing other functions, such as changing color, brightness. and temperature depending on environmental conditions.

Graphene?s remarkable properties come from its two-dimensional structure. While carbon can form three-dimensional lattices when it bonds with four other carbon atoms to form diamond, it can also form two-dimensional layers when it bonds to three other carbon atoms, creating graphene. The graphene layers are arranged in a hexagonal configuration.

When scientists combined graphene with single layers of positively charged transition metal dichalcogenides (TMDC), they were able to create a very efficient and sensitive solar converter. Professor Novoselov expressed excitement about ?the new physics and new opportunities, which are brought to us by heterostructures based on 2D atoic crystals. ? He added that these photoactive heterostructures expand the possibilities and pave the way for new types of experiments. He anticipated that as scientists create more and more complex heterostructures, the functionalities of these devices will become multifunctional.

Lead author Dr. Liam Britnell, a University of Manchester researcher, said it was impressive how quickly the researchers passed from the concept of photosensitive heterostructures to the working device, adding that it worked almost from the get go.

The researchers are confident that as they investigate further into the area of 2D atomic crystals that they will be able to identify additional complimentary materials and create more complex heterostructures with many functionalities.

The research was published in the current issue of the journal Science.

Source

[DocM]

Graphene's a burgeoning supermatrrial useful for conductors, solar, logic circuits and beyond to super-strong structural materials. Development will taks time, but it's a key that could open a great many doors.

[FloatingFatMan]

Graphene's a burgeoning supermatrrial useful for conductors, solar, logic circuits and beyond to super-strong structural materials. Development will taks time, but it's a key that could open a great many doors.

Time is the most annoying factor. So many possibilities with this stuff, and not one practical thing has hit the market yet.

[Noir Angel]

The fossil fuel conglomerates won't like it but good news for pretty much everyone else.

[Hum]

If the Power companies don't stand in the way ... :rolleyes: