Is Graphene a 'Pipe' Dream?

Deconstructing the 'Graphene Dream' by understanding its structure, potential, & production issues.

Last week, as I was sipping my morning coffee and scrolling through my phone (like any self-respecting jaded 21st century cyborg), I came across yet another article on the potential of Graphene and how it will change the world. And that was it, my sleep riddled, caffeine induced brain, just couldn’t handle one more piece on graphene!

So I decided to deconstruct the damn thing. Is Graphene for real? Or is it just a ‘pipe’ dream? (Pun intended). FYI, I didn’t actually break my phone. Its a Pixel 7a, I’d rather break my hand 😊. Anyway, back to the article!

Graphene is the "it" element that has been promising to change our lives in ways we can't even imagine—stronger than steel, lighter than a feather, and more electrically conductive than copper. If Captain America were created today, his shield would be made of Graphene instead of Vibranium. But here's the kicker: where the hell is it?

Artwork - The Man of Graphene

Yes, I've heard the stories too. Graphene is going to revolutionise everything from batteries to band-aids. It's the miracle material that has scientists all giddy and venture capitalists salivating. And yet, despite all the raving and ranting, the only place I've seen it make a substantial appearance is in academic papers and overly optimistic tech blogs.

So, this begs the question: Is Graphene the Real Deal or Just a Pipe Dream?

The Rabbit Hole (made of Graphene)

Alright, folks, let's get into the nitty-gritty. Why do bespectacled scientists in lab coats lose sleep over a layer of carbon atoms? What's the big deal? Well, it's because our current materials are—how do I put this gently?—kind of lame.

Imagine you're building a sandcastle, but the sand keeps crumbling. Frustrating, right? That's how scientists feel about most materials today. They're either too heavy, too weak, not conductive enough, or just downright expensive. Enter graphene: the superhero in a cape made of carbon atoms, swooping in to solve all these problems.

A ‘Graphic’ History

Now, let's stroll down memory lane. Graphene was first isolated in 2004 by two researchers at the University of Manchester, Andre Geim and Konstantin Novoselov, who later won the Nobel Prize for their efforts. Fun fact: Geim is also famous for levitating a frog using magnets because, you know, science needs its eccentrics.

Anyway, Geim and Novoselov used a shockingly simple method to isolate graphene: they took a piece of graphite (the stuff in your pencil lead) and peeled layers off using Scotch tape. Yes, Scotch tape—the same stuff you use to wrap gifts.

And just like that, graphene went from theoretical wonder to an actual, tangible thing. But, as we'll find out, making a "thing" is one thing; making it useful is a whole different ball game.

What Even is Graphene?

So now that we know why people are obsessing over this magical material, let's answer the million-dollar question: What the heck is graphene?

At its core, graphene is just a single layer of carbon atoms arranged in a honeycomb lattice. Imagine a chicken wire made of carbon atoms, but a gazillion times thinner and stronger. It's like the molecular equivalent of a sumo wrestler who can dance ballet—strong yet incredibly flexible.

Figure 1: The Structure of Graphene

Who Made it First?

As we've established, the dynamic duo of Andre Geim and Konstantin Novoselov were the first to isolate graphene. But don't get it twisted; people had been dreaming about graphene long before these guys came along with their Scotch tape. The theoretical concept had been floating around since the mid-20th century, but it took some true creative genius (and a fair bit of adhesive) to bring it to life.

Evolution Over the Years

Since its Scotch tape debut, methods of making graphene have evolved into more sophisticated processes like chemical vapour deposition and liquid-phase exfoliation. Fancy names, I know, but they're basically just glorified ways of saying we've moved on from Scotch tape to more complicated (and expensive) methods. And yet, despite these advances, we're still far from mass-producing graphene in a way that doesn't break the bank or the laws of physics.

Figure 2: Chemical Vapour Deposition of Graphene

Figure 3: Liquid-Phase Exfoliation of Graphene

The Dream List of Potential Use-Cases for Graphene (The Techie Version)

Okay, in theory there is A LOT that graphene can be used for. But my audience are mostly techies like myself, so I will focus on what's in it for us. Why should you, sitting there with your multiple monitors and RGB-lit keyboard, care about this one-atom-thick material? Well, here's why.

Microchips and Processors

Let's start with the bread and butter of any tech aficionado: microchips and processors. Silicon, the current go-to material, is reaching its physical limits. It can only get so small and so fast before we hit a wall. Graphene, with its’s exceptional conductivity, could be the next frontier. Imagine chips that are not just smaller, but exponentially faster. We're talking the difference between a horse-drawn carriage and a Formula 1 car.

Quantum Computing

Graphene's unique quantum properties make it an intriguing candidate for qubits—the building blocks of quantum computers. If successful, this could lead to machines capable of computations so complex they'd make your standard supercomputer look like a pocket calculator. It's the kind of stuff that could crack encryption algorithms in seconds and simulate complex systems like never before.

Flexible Displays and Touchscreens

Tired of your rigid, breakable smartphone screen? Graphene's flexibility and durability could revolutionise display technology, leading to rollable, foldable, even crumple-able screens. Imagine stuffing a 50-inch TV in your backpack. Yeah, graphene could make that possible.

Ultra-fast Data Transmission

Think your fibre-optic broadband is fast? Graphene could take data transmission to ludicrous speeds, making your current internet connection look like dial-up. We're talking about downloading entire seasons of shows or massive data sets in the blink of an eye.

Energy-Efficient Batteries

For all you gaming and mobile computing addicts, imagine a world where you don't need to be tethered to an outlet. Graphene batteries could offer high energy storage with quick charge and discharge times, keeping you mobile for longer periods.

Why is Graphene a Production Nightmare

So, we've established that graphene is basically the superhero of materials. It's got the potential to revolutionise everything from quantum computing to flexible displays. But there's one glaring issue: Why isn't it everywhere already? Why hasn't this "miracle material" taken over the world? Well, brace yourselves, because here come the cold, hard facts.

Scalability and Cost

Remember our Nobel Prize-winning duo and their Scotch tape? Cute for a lab, but not so much for an industrial-scale operation. Since those early days, we've moved on to more advanced methods like chemical vapour deposition as shown in Figure 2, but the costs are still astronomical. Think of it as the difference between baking a cake at home and setting up a cake factory. The ingredients might be simple, but scaling it up is a whole different beast.

Material Quality

Sure, we can produce graphene, but the quality varies widely. You need near-perfect sheets for those high-end applications like quantum computing or ultra-fast data transmission. Any imperfections, and you might as well be using tinfoil.

Integration Issues

Even if we could produce perfect sheets of graphene, there's still the issue of integrating it into existing technologies. It's like finding the perfect piece of a puzzle, but realising it doesn't fit into the jigsaw you're working on. Retrofitting current tech to accommodate graphene is a logistical and financial nightmare.

Environmental Concerns

Let's not forget the elephant in the room—how eco-friendly is the production of graphene? The last thing we need is another material that contributes to environmental degradation. So far, the jury's still out on this one, but it's a factor that can't be ignored.

Possible Solutions and Alternatives?

So, where do we go from here? Is all hope lost?

Not quite! Let's take a look at some avenues that could either make graphene the star we want it to be or introduce us to its understudy.

Making Graphene Production Affordable

One word: innovation. Whether it's finding a cheaper catalyst or inventing a completely new method of production, scientists are hustling to make graphene affordable. Some even speculate that advancements in nanotechnology could bring about the changes we need.

Quality Control

To tackle the issue of inconsistent quality, research is being directed towards better characterisation methods. Think of it as creating a more stringent quality check system, where only the best graphene sheets make the cut.

Better Integration

As for integration, collaborations between material scientists, engineers, and industries could streamline the process. After all, what good is a revolutionary material if it can't play nice with existing technologies?

Eco-friendly Production

Environmental concerns are being addressed through green chemistry methods and by exploring ways to recycle graphene and its derivatives. Because let's face it, saving the world technologically but ruining it ecologically would be rather ironic.

Alternatives to Graphene

And for those who think graphene might just be too much of a diva, there are other promising materials like Silicene, Phosphorene, and Borophene. Yes, they sound like rejected names from the periodic table, but they offer similar properties and could be easier to produce.

So Graphene - Pipe Dream or Not?

Well, the answer is NO. Yes, there are challenges in scaling production, ensuring quality, and integrating it into existing technologies which pose as significant roadblocks. But the scientific community is far from giving up. With ongoing research and innovation, the dream of graphene might just turn into a reality.

The Story of Penicillin

Let's not forget, breakthroughs often come when we least expect them. Take penicillin, for example. Discovered by accident in 1928, it took over a decade of research and another world war (hopefully that won’t be the case for graphene) to turn it into a mass-produced antibiotic. And when it did, it revolutionised medicine and saved countless lives. The point? Good things take time, especially in science.

In the end, graphene is like that super-smart kid in class who could solve any problem but never handed in their homework on time. It has the potential to be a game-changer, but it's also a work in progress. So, is it worth keeping an eye on? Absolutely. Is it going to change your life tomorrow? Probably not. But hey, in the world of science, 'probably not' is just a challenge waiting to be overcome.

Take some inspiration from the graphene story itself. Nobody could isolate graphene for decades until two geniuses with some scotch tape put the entire scientific community to shame. What then, is to say, that we cannot come up with a scalable, expedited, eco-friendly way to harness the power of graphene.

And there you have it, folks. Whether you're a believer in the graphene gospel or a skeptic, one thing's for sure: the story of graphene is far from over. So keep your eyes peeled and your minds open; the best is yet to come.

Also, here’s a possible solution: