Thinking space technology
Invisible Allrounder
Researchers are creating the raw materials of the future out of miniscule particles: Graphene is one of the thinnest materials in the world and is considered as a wonder material.
One of the thinnest materials – graphene – consists of one single layer of carbon atoms. It is extremely lightweight and thin. Moreover, it is an excellent conductor of electricity and heat. Smaller and faster computer chips or thin, flexible and transparent display screens could be produced with it. Or also ultralight and energy efficient vehicles. Today in Europe alone over 150 scientific groups are conducting research on graphene. The research is confronted with many tasks. In order for graphene to be suitable for industrial use, the extremely expensive and complicated manufacturing process must be simplified. The assessments of potential hazards of graphene are widely divergent.
