[Image above] Illustration of molecular graphene membrane. Credit: The University of Manchester; YouTube
It may be a new year, but the buzz surrounding graphene and its potential across many applications continues to percolate.
The latest research comes from the University of Manchester in England, where chemists and materials scientists are teaming up to revolutionize graphene’s many practical applications, including (but not limited to) use in fuel cells, hydrogen-based technologies like electric cars and air-powered generators, water purification, and even nuclear power plants.
“Using membranes made from graphene can act as a sieve, separating protons—nuclei of hydrogen—from heavier nuclei of hydrogen isotope deuterium. The process could mean producing heavy water for nuclear power plants could be ten times less energy intensive, simpler, and cheaper using graphene,” according to a news release from the university about the research.
The research, published in Science, is “Sieving hydrogen isotopes through two-dimensional crystals,” (DOI: 10.1126/science.aac9726).
Check out this video produced by the University of Manchester that breaks down the magic of this high-potential, versatile material.
Credit: The University of Manchester; YouTube