11 ms·

Bend It, Charge It, Dunk It: Graphene, the Material of Tomorrow

89 points by xmpir 13y ago

pskittle 13y ago
does anyone know where one can buy this material for experiments etc?
- brador 13y ago
  Make your own, use stick tape and graphite pencil.
- arethuza 13y ago
  A quick LMGTFY led me to "Graphene Supermarket": https://graphene-supermarket.com/home.php https://graphene-supermarket.com/home.php
  - pskittle 13y ago
    appreciate it!
- baq 13y ago
  http://www.grapheneshop.pl/en/home http://www.grapheneshop.pl/en/home
geuis 13y ago
Something comes to mind. Read some old science fiction. The Asimov Foundation series provides good examples. Fission/atomic power was all the range when the book were written. It reads as hopi
- netcan 13y ago
  "Graphene could change the electronics industry, ushering in flexible devices, supercharged quantum computers, electronic clothing and computers that can interface with the cells in your body."
  - Aardwolf 13y ago
    Nice, all the current emerging tech hypes in one sentence, including of course quantum computing :)
vayarajesh 13y ago
Wooow! this is freaking awesome if this really can happen!
nikbackm 13y ago
Does it cure cancer too?
- jimmytidey 13y ago
  No, it causes it..
  - zhaphod 13y ago
    Is there any peer reviewed study supporting this claim?
    - adventured 13y ago
      Not agreeing with it, but I assume the op is referring to the claims about graphene fibers acting in a similar fashion to asbestos. http://www.rsc.org/chemistryworld/News/2012/February/graphene-inhaled-lungs.asp http://www.rsc.org/chemistryworld/News/2012/February/graphen... But there's widespread disagreement: http://spectrum.ieee.org/nanoclast/semiconductors/nanotechnology/when-you-keep-nanotubes-short-theyre-not-like-asbestos http://spectrum.ieee.org/nanoclast/semiconductors/nanotechno...
      - zhaphod 13y ago
        Thanks for posting these links. They do help framing the debate on carcinogenic effects of Graphene better than hearsay.
    - digikata 13y ago
      This article http://io9.com/graphene-miracle-material-could-be-toxic-to-humans-786847545 http://io9.com/graphene-miracle-material-could-be-toxic-to-h... Refers here: http://www.pnas.org/content/early/2013/07/09/1222276110 http://www.pnas.org/content/early/2013/07/09/1222276110 Which isn't conclusive of anything, but it does point at need for continued study of health effects of graphene. The sharpness of graphene vs cell walls evokes a similarity to asbestos fibers [my laymans impression, not the papers]. I guessing that health research in the topic is going to significantly lag the creation rate of different forms of graphene.
nmkn 13y ago
When and if graphene is in production in new products: What comes after that? We're always building something harder, better, faster, stronger (sorry I can't help myself). Can we even fathom something beyond graphene? Or do we plateau? Charging a cell phone in 15 minutes is awesome, but what about instantly? Shoot, lets just embed cell phones into our bodies, and we'll power them with our cells!
DonHopkins 13y ago
Didn't Daft Punk write a song called Technologic about graphene? ;) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ozitqabi6UM https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ozitqabi6UM
chillax 13y ago
Looking forward to see cross country skiing poles made from graphene :-)
Narretz 13y ago
So, if Graphene is so awesome, what are the problems with its application? So far it seems it's still mostly in research. From a HN front page article I expect a little more than simply listing research efforts etc.
- gloverkcn 13y ago
  Hopefully someone more up to speed can correct me/chinme in. As I understand it. It's the cost/difficulty of production of quality graphene structures. Lake anything else (carbon fibers, semi-conductors) the cost of production starts very high and is only cost effective in specific targeted use cases. For example, Graphene is currently used in equipment in DNA Labs. As companies develop better manufacturing techniques you get high cost corporate and high income early adopter products like the Samsung flex display. Over the next 20 to 40 years manufacturing it will get cheaper, and as manufacturing equipment for graphene starts being readily available you'll see grapheme start showing up everywhere. It'll get to the point where it's in everything but nobody talks about it. Everything will continue to get smaller and/or more efficient.
  - vonnik 13y ago
    You're right. The reason by the NYT is excited about it now is that Samsung recently announced a "breakthrough" in manufacturing which lowers the costs: http://venturebeat.com/2014/04/04/samsung-claims-a-graphene-breakthough-which-may-be-huge-for-future-wearables/ http://venturebeat.com/2014/04/04/samsung-claims-a-graphene-... The article's not new, but the NYT isn't in the business of tech scoops.
qzc4 13y ago
I am looking forward to this actually being used. It has been a big deal for a while and all we've got so far is... a condom? It's much more affordable now. What would be really cool is if the iWatch had this (not planning on buying one, but still)
- higherpurpose 13y ago
  Samsung's YOUM flexible display uses graphene, I believe, but I don't think they've used that in a product yet.
pistle 13y ago
Why is this article on the front page of HN? Graphene is old news as are all the "it could revolutionize ....." statements. Nothing is imminent to market, but it sure seems like someone wants to acquire investments. No MVP's that can do anything w/o all that sweet investment manna? For something which lends itself to soooooo many applications, we can't even get the mundane out the door? I may be long-term bullish, but I'm done with the hype. Let's call it a gold rush and ambiguously tie it to the last monstrous movement - semiconductors. Maybe we should throw some other buzz in about quantum computers and sensor-laden clothing - because everybody has been clamoring to wire up their hoodies. It, of course, doesn't even mention the toxicity risks. Asbestos is one helluva insulator. Asbestos would compliment graphene very well. Only missing a link to arxiv.
- Retric 13y ago
  While not sexy pencil's are arguably the oldest use of Graphene. Edit: The argument has to do with the relative smoothness of writing relating to the thickness of the graphite layers laid down. Grapine being ideal.
  - ceejayoz 13y ago
    No, pencils are not a single atom thick layer of graphite.
    - Retric 13y ago
      The marks they make can be. http://www.scientificamerican.com/article/diy-graphene-how-to-make-carbon-layers-with-sticky-tape/ http://www.scientificamerican.com/article/diy-graphene-how-t... It apparently also has some use as a lubricant which has something to do with why #2 pencils are smoother than normal. Ed: Graphite also acts as a lubricant but #2 pencils relative smoothness has something to do with laying down more layers of graphine.
Shinkei 13y ago
This reminds me of my excitement in the early 2000's about Holographic disc techonology: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Holographic_Versatile_Disc http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Holographic_Versatile_Disc It seems like it's never coming. It is a technology before its time.
- swalsh 13y ago
  Mostly because we found technology that's better. I think memristors, If Graphene never happens because we find better things... i'm not going to complain :D
  - Aardwolf 13y ago
    Yeah, what happened to memristors? I didn't hear a lot about them anymore since the last breakthrough a few years ago :/
ChuckMcM 13y ago
They fail to mention it causes hypegasms :-) But more seriously, it is going to change the world over time, and carbon based electronics. But I am not sure why this article other than to mention Samsung's press releases (http://www.samsung.com/us/aboutsamsung/news/newsIrRead.do?news_ctgry=irnewsrelease&news_seq=20176 http://www.samsung.com/us/aboutsamsung/news/newsIrRead.do?ne...) or to just give out a tech 'feel good' vibe.
nymph 13y ago
"Benjamin, I want to say one word to you. Just one word … ” "Yes … What is is, Mr. McGuire?” "Plastics.” http://youtu.be/PSxihhBzCjk
vonnik 13y ago
More graphene goodness from the MIT Tech Review today: http://www.technologyreview.com/view/512496/first-graphene-audio-speaker-easily-outperforms-traditional-designs/ http://www.technologyreview.com/view/512496/first-graphene-a... Apparently it makes great speakers...
abdullahkhalids 13y ago
I wonder if graphene devices could be fabricated using 3D printers. Now, that would be a game changer even if their performance was below silicon devices.

89 points by xmpir 13y ago

pskittle 13y ago

does anyone know where one can buy this material for experiments etc?

brador 13y ago
Make your own, use stick tape and graphite pencil.
arethuza 13y ago
A quick LMGTFY led me to "Graphene Supermarket": https://graphene-supermarket.com/home.php https://graphene-supermarket.com/home.php
- pskittle 13y ago
  appreciate it!
baq 13y ago
http://www.grapheneshop.pl/en/home http://www.grapheneshop.pl/en/home

geuis 13y ago

Something comes to mind. Read some old science fiction. The Asimov Foundation series provides good examples. Fission/atomic power was all the range when the book were written. It reads as hopi

netcan 13y ago
"Graphene could change the electronics industry, ushering in flexible devices, supercharged quantum computers, electronic clothing and computers that can interface with the cells in your body."
- Aardwolf 13y ago
  Nice, all the current emerging tech hypes in one sentence, including of course quantum computing :)

vayarajesh 13y ago

Wooow! this is freaking awesome if this really can happen!

nikbackm 13y ago

Does it cure cancer too?

jimmytidey 13y ago
No, it causes it..
- zhaphod 13y ago
  Is there any peer reviewed study supporting this claim?
  - adventured 13y ago
    Not agreeing with it, but I assume the op is referring to the claims about graphene fibers acting in a similar fashion to asbestos. http://www.rsc.org/chemistryworld/News/2012/February/graphene-inhaled-lungs.asp http://www.rsc.org/chemistryworld/News/2012/February/graphen... But there's widespread disagreement: http://spectrum.ieee.org/nanoclast/semiconductors/nanotechnology/when-you-keep-nanotubes-short-theyre-not-like-asbestos http://spectrum.ieee.org/nanoclast/semiconductors/nanotechno...
    - zhaphod 13y ago
      Thanks for posting these links. They do help framing the debate on carcinogenic effects of Graphene better than hearsay.
  - digikata 13y ago
    This article http://io9.com/graphene-miracle-material-could-be-toxic-to-humans-786847545 http://io9.com/graphene-miracle-material-could-be-toxic-to-h... Refers here: http://www.pnas.org/content/early/2013/07/09/1222276110 http://www.pnas.org/content/early/2013/07/09/1222276110 Which isn't conclusive of anything, but it does point at need for continued study of health effects of graphene. The sharpness of graphene vs cell walls evokes a similarity to asbestos fibers [my laymans impression, not the papers]. I guessing that health research in the topic is going to significantly lag the creation rate of different forms of graphene.

nmkn 13y ago

When and if graphene is in production in new products: What comes after that? We're always building something harder, better, faster, stronger (sorry I can't help myself). Can we even fathom something beyond graphene? Or do we plateau? Charging a cell phone in 15 minutes is awesome, but what about instantly? Shoot, lets just embed cell phones into our bodies, and we'll power them with our cells!

DonHopkins 13y ago

Didn't Daft Punk write a song called Technologic about graphene? ;) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ozitqabi6UM https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ozitqabi6UM

chillax 13y ago

Looking forward to see cross country skiing poles made from graphene :-)

Narretz 13y ago

So, if Graphene is so awesome, what are the problems with its application? So far it seems it's still mostly in research. From a HN front page article I expect a little more than simply listing research efforts etc.

gloverkcn 13y ago
Hopefully someone more up to speed can correct me/chinme in. As I understand it. It's the cost/difficulty of production of quality graphene structures. Lake anything else (carbon fibers, semi-conductors) the cost of production starts very high and is only cost effective in specific targeted use cases. For example, Graphene is currently used in equipment in DNA Labs. As companies develop better manufacturing techniques you get high cost corporate and high income early adopter products like the Samsung flex display. Over the next 20 to 40 years manufacturing it will get cheaper, and as manufacturing equipment for graphene starts being readily available you'll see grapheme start showing up everywhere. It'll get to the point where it's in everything but nobody talks about it. Everything will continue to get smaller and/or more efficient.
- vonnik 13y ago
  You're right. The reason by the NYT is excited about it now is that Samsung recently announced a "breakthrough" in manufacturing which lowers the costs: http://venturebeat.com/2014/04/04/samsung-claims-a-graphene-breakthough-which-may-be-huge-for-future-wearables/ http://venturebeat.com/2014/04/04/samsung-claims-a-graphene-... The article's not new, but the NYT isn't in the business of tech scoops.

qzc4 13y ago

I am looking forward to this actually being used. It has been a big deal for a while and all we've got so far is... a condom? It's much more affordable now. What would be really cool is if the iWatch had this (not planning on buying one, but still)

higherpurpose 13y ago
Samsung's YOUM flexible display uses graphene, I believe, but I don't think they've used that in a product yet.

pistle 13y ago

Why is this article on the front page of HN? Graphene is old news as are all the "it could revolutionize ....." statements. Nothing is imminent to market, but it sure seems like someone wants to acquire investments. No MVP's that can do anything w/o all that sweet investment manna? For something which lends itself to soooooo many applications, we can't even get the mundane out the door? I may be long-term bullish, but I'm done with the hype. Let's call it a gold rush and ambiguously tie it to the last monstrous movement - semiconductors. Maybe we should throw some other buzz in about quantum computers and sensor-laden clothing - because everybody has been clamoring to wire up their hoodies. It, of course, doesn't even mention the toxicity risks. Asbestos is one helluva insulator. Asbestos would compliment graphene very well. Only missing a link to arxiv.

Retric 13y ago
While not sexy pencil's are arguably the oldest use of Graphene. Edit: The argument has to do with the relative smoothness of writing relating to the thickness of the graphite layers laid down. Grapine being ideal.
- ceejayoz 13y ago
  No, pencils are not a single atom thick layer of graphite.
  - Retric 13y ago
    The marks they make can be. http://www.scientificamerican.com/article/diy-graphene-how-to-make-carbon-layers-with-sticky-tape/ http://www.scientificamerican.com/article/diy-graphene-how-t... It apparently also has some use as a lubricant which has something to do with why #2 pencils are smoother than normal. Ed: Graphite also acts as a lubricant but #2 pencils relative smoothness has something to do with laying down more layers of graphine.

Shinkei 13y ago

This reminds me of my excitement in the early 2000's about Holographic disc techonology: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Holographic_Versatile_Disc http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Holographic_Versatile_Disc It seems like it's never coming. It is a technology before its time.

swalsh 13y ago
Mostly because we found technology that's better. I think memristors, If Graphene never happens because we find better things... i'm not going to complain :D
- Aardwolf 13y ago
  Yeah, what happened to memristors? I didn't hear a lot about them anymore since the last breakthrough a few years ago :/

ChuckMcM 13y ago

They fail to mention it causes hypegasms :-) But more seriously, it is going to change the world over time, and carbon based electronics. But I am not sure why this article other than to mention Samsung's press releases (http://www.samsung.com/us/aboutsamsung/news/newsIrRead.do?news_ctgry=irnewsrelease&news_seq=20176 http://www.samsung.com/us/aboutsamsung/news/newsIrRead.do?ne...) or to just give out a tech 'feel good' vibe.

nymph 13y ago

"Benjamin, I want to say one word to you. Just one word … ” "Yes … What is is, Mr. McGuire?” "Plastics.” http://youtu.be/PSxihhBzCjk

vonnik 13y ago

More graphene goodness from the MIT Tech Review today: http://www.technologyreview.com/view/512496/first-graphene-audio-speaker-easily-outperforms-traditional-designs/ http://www.technologyreview.com/view/512496/first-graphene-a... Apparently it makes great speakers...

abdullahkhalids 13y ago

I wonder if graphene devices could be fabricated using 3D printers. Now, that would be a game changer even if their performance was below silicon devices.