Researchers tout progress towards graphene-based gadgets
We've heard researchers tout the many benefits of graphene before, and it doesn't look like they're showing any signs of letting up, with a group from the University of Manchester now boasting that they've made even more progress with the material that was created only a few years ago. Specifically, they've apparently found a way to develop graphene-based films (an alternative to the current indium-based options) more cheaply by simply "dissolving" chunks of graphite into graphene and then "spraying the suspension onto a glass surface." What's more, the researchers say that there are only a "few small, incremental steps" remaining before the graphene film is ready for the mass production stage, after which they say we could be seeing graphene-based LCD products within "a few years." As you may recall, this all follows some similar developments from researchers at the Max Planck Institute in Germany, although their method apparently "involved several extra steps," and they weren't making any promises about actual products turning up anytime soon.
Filed under: Displays, Misc. Gadgets
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
tekdroid @ May 1st 2008 12:38PM
Prof Geim said: “Transparent conducting films are an essential part of many gadgets including common liquid crystal displays (LCDs) for computers, TVs and mobile phones.
“The underlying technology uses thin metal-oxide films based on indium. But indium is becoming an increasingly expensive commodity and, moreover, its supply is expected to be exhausted within just 10 years.
“Forget about oil – our civilisation will first run out of indium. Scientists have an urgent task on their hands to find new types of conductive transparent films.”
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I had no idea indium supplies are expected to be exhausted within 10 years. Sounds like a fantastic new technology... solar cells and LCDs could use it, among others. Nice, if it ever makes it commercially.
the_fozz @ May 1st 2008 3:29PM
We'll run out of "known economically viable" sources of Indium in approx. 13 years (if we keep up current levels of consumption). Zinc ore is the primary source for Indium.
Alex Yee @ May 1st 2008 1:19PM
scroll up and down between the top of the image and the image looks
3D like.
niclet @ May 1st 2008 4:13PM
Hey! You're damn' right. It also work on my iPod Touch. Great discovery!!
Laughing Man @ May 1st 2008 2:14PM
It is 3D because it a picture of a 3D rendering of a graphene molecular structure. Second, of course it will be a commercial product. Like they would really stop selling LCD monitors and stuff to people because we are out of indium. Finding a new supply of raw materials that can be used for such technology has been in the works for years. The first idea was plasma, but that didn't pan out like they planned.
Sorry, I am being a bit harsh today, I just took two finals.
stellar @ May 1st 2008 3:22PM
im not sure you understand what he means, using your mouse's scroll wheel, make the image go up and down really fast and it looks like its jumping off the screen... go ahaid.. it works : )
My question is 'what compelled alex to do that with his mouse'? O_0 mouse fondling?
spacegravity4me @ May 1st 2008 5:10PM
GITS RULES pD
phanbouy @ May 1st 2008 2:28PM
hot shit! that black and white honeycomb in perspective is making me RANDY baby, yeah!
Rob @ May 1st 2008 3:45PM
That is a cool trick of perspective...and a very interesting technology...I haven't heard about "Graphene" before...sounds like the name of a pregnant 15 Year old you might find on a compound in Texas or Utah.
phanbouy @ May 1st 2008 3:48PM
Hi, I'm Lolita. And this here's Tanqueray.
OLEDRevolution @ May 1st 2008 4:26PM
nanoREV has an interesting post about patentability issues related to graphene over carbon nanotubes.
http://nanolabweb.com/blog/index.php/36/graphene-vs-carbon-nanotubes/
It would be good to replace indium based transparent electrodes with graphene since China controls 60% of indium production (a simple search of USGS mineral information shows how dependent the US is on it).
spacegravity4me @ May 1st 2008 5:08PM
GITS RULES BD
spacegravity4me @ May 1st 2008 5:09PM
ok... that was meant for LM... don't know why that happened.