what is graphene

Graphene is a one-atom-thick layer of carbon atoms arranged in a hexagonal lattice structure. It is an allotrope of carbon, meaning it possesses the same atoms but they are arranged in a different way, giving the material different properties. Graphene is the building block of graphite, which is used in pencil tips. It is the thinnest material known to man at one atom thick, and also incredibly strong - about 200 times stronger than steel. Graphene is an excellent conductor of heat and electricity and has interesting light absorption abilities. It is also flexible, transparent, and seemingly impermeable to most gases and liquids. Graphene is a diverse material that can be combined with other elements to produce different materials with various superior properties. Some potential applications of graphene include batteries, high-frequency electronics, bio, chemical and magnetic sensors, ultra-wide bandwidth photodetectors, and energy storage and generation. Graphene is also suitable for manufacturing batteries for drones, as these would be lighter and tougher.