What Has Happened to the "Miracle Material"

It all starts here, in the lead of a graphite pencil. From this simple material, graphene emerges, an ultralight, flexible compound, stronger than steel, a better electrical conductor than copper and, in addition, transparent and impermeable to gases. That's why they call it the "miracle material". Although two decades have passed since its discovery, graphene has not changed the world as many predicted when it was discovered, but there are also important advances. Stay, because before you sharpen your pencil, I'll tell you in this video. In 2004, these two scientists managed to isolate graphene using a technique as simple as placing adhesive tape on graphite. Until you get one that is just one atom thick. This earned them the Nobel Prize in Physics in 2010 and unleashed the so-called “ graphene fever” among the scientific community. But what is it about graphene that makes it so special? This material is a very thin sheet of pure carbon in which the atoms are arranged in a hexagonal structure, like a honeycomb. Thanks to its structure, graphene presents a series of extraordinary properties. As I told you at the beginning, it is 200 times stronger than steel, it conducts electricity excellently, it is extremely light, flexible and, in addition, it does not pollute. These features sound almost like science fiction and could revolutionize industries and fields ranging from technology to medicine. For example, graphene could increase the useful life of batteries tenfold and reduce their charging times. Opening the possibility of replacing current lithium batteries and changing the landscape in sectors such as electric vehicles. Plus, its flexibility makes it ideal for ultra-thin, rugged displays that could bend like this sheet of paper. In construction, graphene could improve the thermal insulation of buildings, making them more durable and efficient. And in medicine, lighter and more flexible graphene prostheses are being investigated , with the potential to create artificial bones and muscles. But despite initial enthusiasm from scientists and technology companies, its use is still limited. You may not have realized but most cars, cell phones or a golf club contain graphene, that is, the material is having an impact on some products although it may not be as visible to consumers.  It is found in high-end products: such as electronic displays, sensors, fast-charging batteries, and high-performance sports devices such as helmets and rackets. It is also used in some components of automobiles, airplanes, and in filters for water purification. Much of this is due to the Graphene Flagship, a major European research initiative based in Sweden, which is attempting to bring graphene to real-world applications and is known to have developed some 90 products. For example, it has promoted several commercial applications, where large technology companies continue to experiment with graphene to improve battery technology, screens and even solar panels. But, graphene still faces several important challenges in going from being that miracle material to reality. And the biggest problem is its large-scale production. To maintain its extraordinary properties, graphene must be of almost perfect purity, and producing it this way is expensive and difficult. Additionally, other more affordable materials, such as silicon, remain cheaper options today. There are researchers who think that as production methods improve and costs decrease, we can expect graphene to reach our everyday products. So, is graphene a miracle material? Graphene is a revolutionary material, but its potential has not immediately transformed the world. Scientists and companies continue to invest in its development, hoping that one day its practical applications will become a reality. Maybe it's just a matter of time.