Researchers Find “Kryptonite” that Weakens Super-Strong Graphene

Sign up for daily news updates from CleanTechnica on email. Or follow us on Google News!

columbia university researchers discover weakness in graphene, world's strongest materialGraphene is emerging as a futuristic materials superhero that will drive us toward more energy efficient, durable, scaled-down electronics, among many other new technologies. However, every superhero has a weakness and researchers at Columbia University have just found it. If graphene was Superman, this would be its kryptonite. Perhaps a more broad analogy would be in any one of those comic book episodes where superheros reveal their all too human side, and crack under stress of  seeming invincible – only to emerge stronger than ever.

Graphene and Strain

Graphene is a form of carbon that comes in sheets only one atom thick,. As reported by writer Holly Evarts, about two years ago scientists at Columbia University established proof that despite its practically vaporous thinness, pure graphene is the strongest known material known on earth. However, researchers are discovering that graphene can be manipulated, coaxed, and even “chaperoned” in many ways. One team of researchers has found that subjecting a sheet of graphene to a three-point strain creates nano-bubbles, in which electrons generate extremely high energy levels. At Columbia, the researchers found that  graphene adopts a new, weaker configuration when subjected to an equal strain in all directions.

New, Improved Graphene

It may seem counter-intuitive, but discovering a vulnerability in a seemingly invincible substance is an important step toward real-life applications. Knowing the effect of strain on graphene, engineers and designers can develop extremely durable electronic systems and other uses that work around the potential weakness, or perhaps even exploit it, for example in certain “breakaway” devices.

Image: Broken glass by jonas maaloe on flickr.com.


Have a tip for CleanTechnica? Want to advertise? Want to suggest a guest for our CleanTech Talk podcast? Contact us here.

Latest CleanTechnica TV Video


Advertisement
 
CleanTechnica uses affiliate links. See our policy here.

Tina Casey

Tina specializes in advanced energy technology, military sustainability, emerging materials, biofuels, ESG and related policy and political matters. Views expressed are her own. Follow her on LinkedIn, Threads, or Bluesky.

Tina Casey has 3276 posts and counting. See all posts by Tina Casey