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U.K. Researchers Use Atom-Thick Graphene To Produce Tiny LCDs
University of Manchester (UK) researchers have produced tiny liquid crystal devices with electrodes using graphene – the development could lead to a new-generation of computer and TV displays, as well as become a key material for conductive transparent films.
University of Manchester (UK) researchers use graphene atoms to produce tiny LCDs.
Graphene was first discovered only 4 years ago (in 2004) at University of Manchester. This incredible one-atom-thick gauze of carbon atoms, which resembles chicken wire, has quickly become one of the hottest topics in physics and materials science. Researchers credited with the discovery are Prof. Andre Geim FRS and Royal Society Research Fellow Dr Kostya Novoselov.
“Graphene is only one atom thick, optically transparent, chemically inert, and an excellent conductor,” according to Dr. Novoselov. “These properties seem to make this material an excellent candidate for applications in various electro-optical devices that require conducting but transparent thin films. We believe graphene should improve the durability and simplify the technology of potential electronic devices that interact with light,” Dr. Novoselov added.
Prof Geim said: “Transparent conducting films are an essential part of many gadgets including common liquid crystal displays (LCDs) for computers, TVs and mobile phones. “The underlying technology uses thin metal-oxide films based on indium. But indium is becoming an increasingly expensive commodity and, moreover, its supply is expected to be exhausted within just 10 years.
Dr. Novoselov and colleagues from The School of Physics and Astronomy and The School of Computer Science, in May 2008 report on the use of graphene as a transparent conductive coating for electro-optical devices – and show that its high transparency and low resistivity make it ideal for electrodes in liquid crystal devices. Their work appears in the American Chemical Society’s Nano Letters.
Graphene: Key Replacement for Indium
for Conductive Transparent Films
“Forget about oil – our civilization will first run out of indium. Scientists have an urgent task on their hands to find new types of conductive transparent films,” Dr. Novoselov said.
The Manchester research team has now demonstrated highly transparent and highly conductive ultra-thin films that can be produced cheaply by ‘dissolving’ chunks of graphite – an abundant natural resource – into graphene and then spraying the suspension onto a glass surface. The resulting graphene-based films can be used in LCDs and, to prove the concept, the research team has demonstrated the first liquid crystal devices with graphene electrodes.
Dr Novoselov said he believes that there are only a few small, incremental steps remain for this technology to reach a mass production stage. “Graphene-based LCD products could appear in shops as soon as in a few years”, he added.
A research team from the Max Planck Institute for Polymer Research in Germany recently reported in Nano Letters how they had used graphene-based films to create transparent electrodes for solar cells The German team used a different technology for obtaining graphene films, which involved several extra steps.
“Graphene is only one atom thick, optically transparent, chemically inert, and an excellent conductor,” according to Dr. Novoselov. “These properties seem to make this material an excellent candidate for applications in various electro-optical devices that require conducting but transparent thin films. We believe graphene should improve the durability and simplify the technology of potential electronic devices that interact with light,” Dr. Novoselov added.
Prof Geim said: “Transparent conducting films are an essential part of many gadgets including common liquid crystal displays (LCDs) for computers, TVs and mobile phones. “The underlying technology uses thin metal-oxide films based on indium. But indium is becoming an increasingly expensive commodity and, moreover, its supply is expected to be exhausted within just 10 years.
Dr. Novoselov and colleagues from The School of Physics and Astronomy and The School of Computer Science, in May 2008 report on the use of graphene as a transparent conductive coating for electro-optical devices – and show that its high transparency and low resistivity make it ideal for electrodes in liquid crystal devices. Their work appears in the American Chemical Society’s Nano Letters.
Graphene: Key Replacement for Indium
for Conductive Transparent Films
“Forget about oil – our civilization will first run out of indium. Scientists have an urgent task on their hands to find new types of conductive transparent films,” Dr. Novoselov said.
The Manchester research team has now demonstrated highly transparent and highly conductive ultra-thin films that can be produced cheaply by ‘dissolving’ chunks of graphite – an abundant natural resource – into graphene and then spraying the suspension onto a glass surface. The resulting graphene-based films can be used in LCDs and, to prove the concept, the research team has demonstrated the first liquid crystal devices with graphene electrodes.
Dr Novoselov said he believes that there are only a few small, incremental steps remain for this technology to reach a mass production stage. “Graphene-based LCD products could appear in shops as soon as in a few years”, he added.
A research team from the Max Planck Institute for Polymer Research in Germany recently reported in Nano Letters how they had used graphene-based films to create transparent electrodes for solar cells The German team used a different technology for obtaining graphene films, which involved several extra steps.