石墨烯改變世界的5種方式

石墨烯改變世界的5種方式

Graphene might be one of the world's most useful materials. Though it's only one carbon atom thick, it's many times stronger than steel, and highly flexible to boot.

石墨烯可能是世界上最有用的材料之一。雖然它只有一個碳原子那么厚，但它比鋼強很多倍，而且啟動時非常靈活。

Ever since it was first isolated by researchers in 2004, the list of patents involving graphene has grown exponentially every year. It may not be long before this supermaterial spawns a technological revolution that could truly change the world.

自從2004年研究人員首次分離出石墨烯以來，涉及石墨烯的專利清單每年都呈指數級增長。用不了多久，這種超級材料就會引發(fā)一場可能真正改變世界的技術革命。

Graphene's structure is an atomic-scale honeycomb lattice made of carbon atoms. (Photo: BONNINSTUDIO/Shutterstock)

Here are several profound graphene inventions to look forward to in the near future.

以下是幾項意義深遠的石墨烯發(fā)明，值得我們在不久的將來期待。

1. Fuel from the air

空氣燃料

The same researchers who won the Nobel Prize for isolating graphene, Andre Geim of Manchester University and colleagues, have shown that graphene could be used to make mobile electric generators powered by hydrogen extracted from the air. Geim's team discovered that although graphene is impermeable to even the smallest of atoms, it can be used to sieve hydrogen atoms stripped of their electrons.

曼徹斯特大學的安德烈•海姆和他的同事曾因分離石墨烯獲得諾貝爾獎，他們的研究表明，石墨烯可以用于制造由從空氣中提取的氫氣驅動的移動發(fā)電機。海姆的團隊發(fā)現，盡管石墨烯對最小的原子都是不滲透的，但它可以用來過濾失去電子的氫原子。

2. Protection from mosquitoes

防止蚊子

Aedes aegypti can be deadly, but graphene appears to hold some promise of protection. (Photo: Muhammad Mahdi Karim [GFDL 1.2]/Wikimedia Commons)

The same impermeability that comes into play with fuel cells raises other potential uses for graphene, including keeping mosquitoes at bay. In this application, researchers found two pathways to block these deadly insects.

與燃料電池相同的不透水性也促進了石墨烯的其他潛在用途，包括防止蚊子叮咬。在這項應用中，研究人員發(fā)現了兩種途徑來阻止這些致命的昆蟲。

3. Predator vision

捕食者視覺

Graphene has shown promise for thermal infrared photodetectors. (Photo: Ivan Smuk/Shutterstock)

The classic sci-fi action film "Predator" features an alien assassin that has the ability to see the world in thermal infrared. Now, thanks to graphene, you might be able to have "Predator" vision. Researchers from the University of Michigan have developed a graphene contact lens that allows wearer to sense the whole infrared spectrum — plus visible and ultraviolet light.

經典科幻動作電影《鐵血戰(zhàn)士》中，外星刺客有能力通過紅外熱成像看到世界。現在，多虧了石墨烯，你或許能夠擁有“捕食者”的視覺。密歇根大學的研究人員開發(fā)了一種石墨烯隱形眼鏡，可以讓佩戴者感知整個紅外光譜——外加可見光和紫外光。

4. A world without rust

一個沒有生銹的世界

Graphene could offer a less toxic rust-proofing option than some existing methods. (Photo: Herain Kanthatham/Shutterstock)

Because graphene is virtually impermeable, a coat of graphene-based paint could one day be used to eradicate corrosion and rust. Researchers have even shown that glassware or copper plates covered with graphene paint can be used as containers for strongly corrosive acids.

由于石墨烯實際上是不透水的，一層基于石墨烯的涂料有一天可以用來消除腐蝕和生銹。研究人員甚至發(fā)現，覆蓋石墨烯涂料的玻璃器皿或銅板可以用作強腐蝕性酸的容器。

5. Glowing wallpaper

發(fā)光壁紙

Glowing walls could soon replace the light bulb, thanks to the development of new graphene-based electrode technology that makes displays thinner than ever before. Such glowing "wallpaper" provides more pleasant, adjustable light across a room than light bulbs can, and it can also be made more energy-efficient. And, let's face it, few things seem more futuristic than illuminated "Tron"-like walls.

由于新型石墨烯電極技術的發(fā)展，發(fā)光的墻壁可能很快取代燈泡，使顯示器比以往任何時候都更薄。這種發(fā)光的“墻紙”提供了比燈泡更舒適、更可調節(jié)的房間光線，而且還可以使其更節(jié)能。而且，讓我們面對現實吧，沒有什么東西比發(fā)光的“電子爭霸戰(zhàn)”般的墻壁更具有未來感。