Graphene makes material scientists weak in the knees. If it's not the answer to everything, it's the answer to almost everything. Graphene's hexagonal honeycomb structure is elegantly sturdy, but the magic is in its astonishing one-atom thickness (thinness?). At two atoms, it becomes graphite--the "lead" that actually isn't lead in pencils. The latest "make it better with graphene!" story involves concrete and the implications for the climate are significant. Graphenated concrete is "twice as strong and four times more water-resistant than existing concretes." Blimey! That means less is needed and it will do a better job., too. Given that 6% of global CO2 emissions are from cement production—the main ingredient in concrete—this is a very big deal.
More good graphene news: Researchers at MIT have come up with an industrial-scale production process for graphene membranes that can be used for desalinization and other processes that require high-quality filters.
More good graphene news: Researchers at MIT have come up with an industrial-scale production process for graphene membranes that can be used for desalinization and other processes that require high-quality filters.
