In a time when mankind is stretching the bounds of how far we can venture and how tall buildings can climb, some are changing history by going small. The world of electronics, medicine and computing are evolving at a rapid pace thanks to microscopic materials.
Grolltex is one of the companies behind the new, revolutionary materials that are expanding what’s possible with nanotechnology. The company specializes in the production of chemical vapor deposition graphene, better known as CVD graphene. This form of graphene is grown on nickel and copper film, foil or foam.
High-quality CVD graphene growth on these metal substrates has shown incredible promise in terms of large-scale application at a low cost. Grolltex is an industry leader in the production of single-layer graphene sheets that can be transferred onto copper, water or Si wafers. The company has quickly become the frontrunner in cost-effective CVD graphene that’s made in the U.S.
How Graphene is Changing Technology
Graphene is a nanomaterial that was developed in 2004. Although scientists knew of its existence, they weren’t able to isolate it until that time. Its name comes from graphite, the material from which graphene is sourced. The one-atom thick, 2-D crystal graphene is extracted from graphite by heating sheets of copper in a chamber where argon gas is introduced to remove oxygen from the air. The carbon atoms are then deposited across the sheet and later pulled apart into layers that are just one atom thick.
Despite being one million times thinner than paper, transparent and flexible, graphene is 200 times stronger than steel and more conductive than copper. Grolltex explains that the amazing strength of its CVD graphene sheets is largely due to the structure. The company produces flat sheets of carbon atoms that are arranged in a repetitive honeycomb pattern. All this is possible through Grolltex’s proprietary transfer methodology, which overcomes transfer issues that lead to destruction.
Grolltex is one of the few manufacturers capable of making graphene sheets in large quantities. These CVD graphene sheets can be used for a wide variety of applications. Since graphene’s discovery in 2004, over 15,000 patents have been submitted for products and applications that utilize the nanomaterial.
An important characteristic of graphene is its ability to act as an impenetrable natural barrier. In some applications, researchers are limited to using whatever is natural during experimentation and product development. Material availability can also be an issue. Because graphene is a form of elemental carbon, it’s widely available and in abundance.
Graphene Uses
Numerous fields and industries are beginning to explore how graphene can be used. As a result, its use is expanding at an impressive pace and new uses are being discovered every day.
Nanoelectronics was one of the first industries to realize the power of graphene and its ability to mitigate electromigration. It’s now being used to reinforce copper wiring to circumvent the problem. The graphene material is grown over places where copper wire atoms are being displaced. These graphene reinforcements can also reduce resistance in copper wires.
Other graphene uses include:
· Electrodes in organic solar cells
· Flexible touchscreens
· Electronics that stretch
· ITO replacement
· Barriers for OLED
· Membranes for water desalination
· Gas separation
· Production of sensors
· Production of batteries
Grolltex’s single sheet CVD graphene is making it possible for other companies, scientists and inventors to develop new and exciting technologies that are expected to change the future medicine and electronics.
