3 POTENTIAL HEALTH APPLICATIONS OF GRAPHENE – THE STRONGEST, THINNEST AND MOST CONDUCTIVE MATERIAL EVER DEVELOPED.
There are many crossover applications in science. An instance that is dramatically making headlines is the developing relationship between material engineering and biomedical research. At the middle of this intersection is a highly researched product called “The Miracle Material.” Known by its modest name, Graphene, it is a single layer of carbon arranged with double electron bonds to create a honeycomb style pattern that is only 1 atom in thickness. This nanotechnology is set to create vast changes across all industries; from electronics, automotive, and energy to our very own well-being.
Here are 3 examples of how this fascinating material is currently in R&D to change the way we view healthcare:
1. WATER PURFICATION
WATER PURIFICATION
Researchers have recently developed a way to control the porous quality of graphene by being able to manipulate the size of the tiny holes on its surface. The MIT researchers who developed this technique feel that it has widespread potential toward a more rapid and cost effective desalinization filter system for our water supply.
1. BIOMEDICAL IMAGING
BIOMEDICAL IMAGING
By encapsulating liquid into two sheets of graphene, researchers have been able to use this “carbon sandwich” to bond and react to specific molecules, establishing an imaging technique that works at the molecular level. This technique creates a high resolution method of detecting diseases and infections much sooner than traditional methods.
1. WEARABLES
WEARABLES
Because of its highly conductive properties, graphene is being developed to be a key ingredient for some of the future’s top biometric products. Samsung recently announced a dramatic breakthrough that has high hopes of bringing down the production costs of the “Miracle Material” so that it can be used in everyday consumer products.
These are only a few of the real uses that are currently in research and development. Graphene’s unique properties make it conductive (1000x the density of electrical current vs. copper), 97.3% transparent, flexible (can flex 20% without damage), and is 200x stronger than structural steel, all while remaining incredibly thin and light. With the development of this material into modern day products, the engineering potential could be limitless.
To learn more about graphene, check out this video:
Posted By: Mike Martins
