The Science of Graphene
Understanding the material that could revolutionize multiple industries—from batteries to water filtration.
What is Graphene?
Graphene is a single atomic layer of carbon atoms arranged in a hexagonal (honeycomb) lattice. Discovered in 2004 by Andre Geim and Konstantin Novoselov (who won the 2010 Nobel Prize in Physics), graphene is the thinnest, strongest, and most conductive material known to science.
Physical Properties
- • 200x stronger than steel by weight
- • One atom thick (0.345 nanometers)
- • Extremely lightweight (1 square meter = 0.77 mg)
- • 98% transparent to visible light
- • Impermeable to gases, even helium
Electrical Properties
- • Excellent electrical conductivity (better than copper)
- • Superior thermal conductivity (5000 W/m·K)
- • High electron mobility at room temperature
- • Zero band gap semiconductor
- • Quantum Hall effect at room temperature
Real-World Applications
Graphene's unique properties make it valuable across multiple high-growth industries. According to Grand View Research, the global graphene market is projected to grow significantly as production methods scale.
Energy & Power
- • Next-gen batteries: faster charging, higher capacity
- • Supercapacitors: rapid energy storage and release
- • Solar cells: improved efficiency and flexibility
- • Fuel cells: enhanced catalytic performance
Market potential: Used by companies developing EV batteries and energy storage systems.
Electronics
- • Flexible displays: bendable, transparent screens
- • High-speed transistors: faster computing
- • Touch screens: transparent conductive layers
- • Quantum computing: single-electron transistors
Market potential: Samsung, IBM, and others investing in graphene electronics research.
Materials & Composites
- • Advanced composites: aerospace, automotive
- • Protective coatings: anti-corrosion, wear-resistant
- • Concrete enhancement: stronger infrastructure
- • Lightweight armor: defense applications
Market potential: Construction, aerospace, and automotive industries adopting graphene composites.
Sensors & Detection
- • Biosensors: medical diagnostics, drug delivery
- • Environmental sensors: pollution detection
- • Chemical sensors: industrial safety
- • Pressure/strain sensors: structural health monitoring
Market potential: Medical device companies exploring graphene-based diagnostics.
Water & Filtration
- • Desalination: graphene oxide membranes
- • Water purification: removes contaminants
- • Gas separation: industrial filtration
- • Air filtration: ultra-efficient filters
Market potential: Addressing global water scarcity with breakthrough filtration tech.
Industrial Applications
- • Lubricants: reduced friction, wear protection
- • Anti-corrosion coatings: marine, infrastructure
- • Thermal management: heat dissipation in electronics
- • 3D printing: graphene-enhanced materials
Market potential: Industrial manufacturers integrating graphene for performance gains.
The Production Challenge
Despite graphene's incredible potential, widespread adoption has been limited by three key challenges:
1. Production Cost
High-quality graphene production remains expensive at scale, limiting commercial viability.
2. Consistency & Quality
Maintaining uniform quality across batches is difficult with current methods.
3. Scalability
Moving from laboratory production to industrial-scale manufacturing is complex.
Graphene Token exists to support solutions to these challenges through coordinated funding, research collaboration, and ecosystem alignment.
Carbon-Aware Production Pathways
ResolutX (formerly NorCalBio)'s approach uses pyrolysis technology, which can be carbon-negative when designed and measured correctly.
What is Pyrolysis?
Pyrolysis is the thermal decomposition of organic materials at elevated temperatures in the absence of oxygen. When used to produce biochar, the process can sequester carbon while creating valuable materials like graphene.
- • Carbon sequestration: Biochar locks carbon for centuries
- • Waste valorization: Converts biomass waste into graphene
- • Energy recovery: Process can be energy-positive
- • Lifecycle benefits: Net carbon-negative when measured via LCA
Verification: Sustainability claims depend on process design and measurement. We will share lifecycle assessment (LCA) verification details as they become available. Sources: Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL), ATTRA Sustainable Agriculture.
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Support ecosystem-aligned research and production coordination.