+Frank B. Subscriber² Posted October 5, 2010 Subscriber² Share Posted October 5, 2010 Materials breakthrough wins Nobel Two scientists have shared this year's Nobel Prize for Physics for their "groundbreaking" work on a material with amazing properties. Andrei Geim and Konstantin Novoselov, both at Manchester University, UK, took the prize for research on graphene. Graphene is a sheet of carbon which is just one atom thick; its unique properties mean it could have a vast array of practical applications. The Nobels are valued at 10m Swedish Kronor (?900,000; 1m euros; $1.5m). "I'm fine, I slept well. I didn't expect the Nobel Prize this year," said Dr Geim. Dr Geim said his plans for the day would not change - he said he would go back to work and carry on with his research papers. He added that he would "muddle on as before". Graphene is a form of carbon. It is a flat layer of carbon atoms tightly packed into a two-dimensional honeycomb lattice. It is practically transparent and a good conductor of electricity and heat. These properties make it particularly suitable for producing transparent touch screens, light panels, and maybe even solar cells. The prizes also cover chemistry, medicine, literature, peace and economics (more properly called the Sveriges Riksbank Prize). Laureates also receive a medal and a diploma. Source: BBC News Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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