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http://www.manchester.ac.uk/research/news/display/?id=7895
http://arxiv.org/ftp/arxiv/papers/1112/1112.3488.pdf
What kinds of applications can you see this being used in and how soon?
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Wonder material graphene has revealed another of its extraordinary properties - University of Manchester researchers have found that it is superpermeable with respect to water.
nitsuj said:I wonder if it could separate salt from sea water.
Graphene is a single layer of carbon atoms arranged in a hexagonal lattice structure. It is considered a "wonder material" due to its unique properties, including being the thinnest and strongest material known to man, as well as being highly conductive and flexible.
Superpermeability refers to the ability of a material to allow certain substances, such as water or gases, to pass through it at an extremely high rate. In the case of graphene, it means that it can act as a super-efficient filter, allowing only specific molecules to pass through while blocking others.
Graphene's superpermeability has the potential to revolutionize various industries, such as water filtration, gas separation, and drug delivery. It can also have significant environmental implications, as it could help address global challenges such as clean water scarcity and air pollution.
The superpermeable properties of graphene are due to its unique structure and properties. Its single-atom thickness allows for fast diffusion of molecules, while its high surface area and hydrophobic nature make it ideal for selective permeation of certain molecules. Additionally, the defects and imperfections in graphene's lattice also play a role in its superpermeable behavior.
While graphene's superpermeability shows great promise, there are still some challenges that need to be addressed. One limitation is the scalability of production, as large-scale production of high-quality graphene is still a challenge. Additionally, there are concerns about the environmental impact of graphene production and disposal. Research is ongoing to address these limitations and fully harness the potential of graphene's superpermeability.