Graphene has been hailed has one of the most incredible materials to be ever invented. However, researchers initially had trouble finding practical applications for it. Thanks to increasing amount of research programs around the world, scientists are able to discover incredible ways to use this amazing material.
The newest application comes for MIT researchers which developed a material using porous graphene. This allows it be 10 times as strong as steel but only having five percent of its density, which means that it is incredibly light.
The researchers detailed their invention in a new study published in the journal Science Advances. It reveals how Markus Buehler and his colleagues were able to fuse and compress the graphene flakes in order to create a new material while addressing some of the weakness of the material at the same time.
Graphene was known for its strength ever since its discovery. However, when the material is formed into a 3D shape it loses some of the strength it had when it was in a simple 2D form. Fortunately, the researchers were able to address the problem by changing not its composition but its structure. When the graphene is formed into a unusual geometric pattern which can resemble a sponge of some sorts.
For their study, the MIT researchers looked at the individual atoms of the graphene’s structure. After an extensive observation and analysis, they were able to create a mathematical framework which matches the predicted results of experiments involving the porous graphene.
Building on this framework, the researchers use heat and pressure to compress the various graphene flakes. This resulted in a stable and strong structure which has a similar form to certain corals and diatoms. The porous graphene has large ration between its area and volume.
According to the researchers, despite the fact the graphene is just an atom thick, the new geometrical structure maintains its strength without adding to its heft. As such, the porous graphene material can be used in the construction industry by creating strong and light materials.
Additionally, the as the newly discovered form also includes air spaces within it means that it can also be used as part of filtration system or to improve insulation properties.
Image credit: MIT