Washington: Scientists claim that graphene, the so-called "wonder material" could be used to develop smartphones almost as thin and flexible as paper.
Graphene known as the world's strongest (100 times stronger than steel) and thinnest (one ounce would cover 28 football fields) material could revolutionise cell phones technology, solar panels and more.
Since graphene also conducts electricity as well as copper, it could lead to flexible cell phone touch-screens and transparent, inexpensive solar cells.
The other possible applications of graphene include solar panels molded to cover the surface of an electric or hybrid car and treatments for damaged spinal cords.
Graphene is the focus of a new episode of the ChemMatters video series.
The video, from the award-winning Digital Services Unit in the American Chemical Society (ACS) Office of Public Affairs, explains how graphene's incredible properties originate from the unique arrangement of its atoms.
Like diamonds and coal, graphene is made up entirely of carbon. But unlike those materials, graphene's carbon atoms are arranged in two-dimensional sheets, making it incredibly strong and flexible, researchers said in a statement.
Ongoing advances in manufacturing graphene are bringing these and other devices closer to reality.
PTI
First Published: Wednesday, October 10, 2012, 19:24