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GRAPHENE FLAGSHIPThe Graphene Flagship was launched by the European Union in 2013 as part of its largest research initiative ever. With a budget of €1 billion it represents a new form of joint, coordinated research initiative on an unprecedented scale. The overall goal of the Graphene Flagship is to take graphene from the realm of academic laboratories into European society, facilitating economic growth and creating new jobs, in the space of ten years. Through a combined academic-industrial consortium consisting of more than 150 partners in over 20 European countries, the research effort covers the entire value chain, from materials production to components and system integration, and targets a number of specific goals that exploit the unique properties of graphene. Learn more at www.graphene-flagship.eu

Funded by the European Union

FROM ACADEMIC LABORATORIES TOWARDS NEW TECHNOLOGIES

Graphene Applications

Graphene is one of the most interesting and versatile materials. The world’s first two-dimensional material, this single layer of carbon atoms arranged in a hexagonal lattice has a set of unique and outstanding properties. As well as being the thinnest, strongest and lightest known material, graphene is flexible, impermeable to molecules and extremely electrically and thermally conductive. As the world strives to maintain its pace of innovation, graphene has much to offer. Graphene is helping to facilitate the next generation of technology: from interconnects for data commu-

nication to screens and casings. For example, the strong and flexi ble nature of graphene makes flexible displays and bendable batteries possible. Its excellent sensing ability can be used in the next generation of wearable electronics and to develop building blocks for the internet of things. Graphene’s unique combination of properties coupled with its ease of incorporation into composite materials mean that it can enhance the composite world. Graphene is also paving the way for novel diagnosis and treatments such as in the realm of drug delivery and biosensors.

Composites and CoatingsThe next generation of composites and coatings can be enhanced by graphene. Its excellent strength, conductivity, flexibility, light weight nature and barrier properties are useful for a wide range of applications. From anti-static and anti-corrosion coatings through to ultra-strong and ultra-lightweight composites, graphene can not only enhance the perfor-mance of current materials, but also enable new application fields. Graphene can play a key role in the automotive, aerospace and building industries, where it can be used to enhance the properties of car panels,

aerospace wings or concrete. As an additive in coatings, graphene could be used to weatherproof houses or prevent ships rusting. The conductivity and flexibility of graphene also makes it a promising additive for thermo-forming plastics. Graphene is at the centre of an ever- increasing research and development effort in both academia and industry, with both large and small companies investing in the creation of new products. The world of graphene composites and coatings is poised to grow and become part of our everyday life.

Image: BAC

SensorsAs society pushes the boundaries of its sensing capabilities graphene has a large part to play. Graphene’s large surface area, high electrical conductivity, unique optical properties and high thermal conductivity make it ideal for sensors. Ultra-sensitive graphene-based sensors can also be smaller, lighter and less expensive than traditional sensors. Graphene sensors can be used in a variety of different ways; from chemical based gas, pH and environment contamination sensors, through to pressure and strain sensors.

The biological compatibility of graphene also sees it being used in bio-logical sensors capable of sensing molecules such as DNA and many different analytes, like glucose, glutamate, cholesterol, haemoglobin. Graphene sensors might enhance our lives, from the creation of smart food packaging that can monitor suitability of food for human consump-tion, through to wearable sensors that can monitor health in real time.

Biomedical TechnologiesAs the demand for healthcare services continues to increase, so does the demand for novel healthcare solutions. These solutions should be more effective, cost less, prevent disease as well as cure it, and should be equally effective throughout the world.

Graphene is paving the way for novel diagnosis and treatments, thanks to its unique properties, such as high surface area, electron mobility and functionalisation potential, all favourable for biomedical technologies. For instance, the surface area of graphene makes an excellent platform for drug delivery and the conductivity makes for effective biosensors. The ability of graphene to be made into scaffolds whilst maintaining the inherent conductivity can be put to use in tissue engineering. New research has shown that graphene can be incorporated with a polymer to make very sensitive electromechanical sensors and that it can be used to make better deep brain implants.

EnergyAs the global populations expands the need for energy production and storage grows constantly. Graphene and related materials (GRMs), with their high surface area, large electrical conductivity, light weight nature, chemical stability and high mechanical flexibility have a big role to play in meeting this demand in both energy generation and storage.

Solar cells, batteries, super capacitors, hydrogen storage and fuel cells are all areas where GRMs can make a difference. These could be used to produce unique, new devices or integrated into current devices to boost their performance. For example, activated graphene enables super capacitors for energy storage and also increase their lifespan, energy capacity and charge rate for lithium ion batteries. For energy genera-tions, GRMs, such as molybdenum disulphide, can be used to extend the lifetime of perovskite solar cells.

Photonics and OptoelectronicsGraphene’s properties make it ideal for next-generation optoelectronics and optical communications systems. Its excellent electrical properties and broadband optical absorption are highly suited for high- performance optoelectronic devices, and it can be readily integrated with silicon photonic systems. In addition, its flexibility, robustness and environ-mental stability have the potential to enable completely new devices.

Graphene-based technologies are proving integral to the new generation of communications, such as 5G and the internet of things - enabling high performance optical communication systems through ultra-fast and compact optoelectronic devices. From lasers and optical switches, to wireless communication and energy harvesting, graphene will play an important role within the optoelectronics field.

Electronics As the electronics industry strives to maintain its pace of innovation, graphene, (being flexible, strong, thin and highly conductive), has much to offer. Graphene can help to facilitate the next generation of technology from chips and interconnects for data communication to flexible screens for wearable technology. With miniaturisation a major driving factor of the electronics industry, graphene’s thinness coupled with its high room temperature conductivity shows great promise. In the wireless domain, first prototypes of flexible near-field communication antennas based on graphene have been built, providing a very competitive solution for flexible radio frequency identification tags.

Coupling graphene’s ability to be integrated into electronics with its excellent sensing ability means that it can also be used to provide the building blocks for the internet of things.

About the Graphene FlagshipThe Graphene Flagship brings together researchers from academia and industry with one unified aim: to take graphene and related materials (GRMs) from the realm of academic laboratories into European society. Targeting several specific technological goals that exploit the unique properties of GRMs, the research covers the whole value chain: from materials production to components and system integration.

With a core of over 150 partners the Graphene Flagship also collabo-rates with Partnering Projects and Associated Members. Performing externally leveraged funded research and innovation activities in line with the overall Flagship objectives they gain access to the information and networking platforms of the Graphene Flagship.

Any more questions?Read more on our website www.graphene-flagship.eu or contact us oninfo@graphene-flagship.eu