Graphene-Aurora Program

The “Graphene-Aurora Program” was launched by MeitY Maker Village in Kochi, Kerala. This initiative, led by Digital University Kerala, aims to bridge the gap between graphene research and commercialization. The establishment of the India Graphene Engineering and Innovation Centre (I-GEIC) will play a pivotal role in this effort.

Context:

The Ministry of Electronics & Information Technology (MeitY) launched the ‘Graphene-Aurora Program‘ at a ceremony held in Maker Village Kochi, Kerala. This initiative aims to harness the potential of graphene, a remarkable material with diverse applications, by fostering innovation, research, and commercialization.

Graphene-Aurora Program

About:
- This program is being implemented by Digital University Kerala with joint funding from the Ministry of Electronics & Information Technology (MeitY), Government of India.
Aim:
- By encouraging research and fostering commercialization, the program puts emphasis on cutting-edge graphene technology to assist India in establishing a strong presence in the global new materials market.
- The proposed project aimed at boosting the production of valuable allotrope of carbon would mark a new chapter of innovation in the country’s technological field.
India Graphene Engineering and Innovation Centre (I-GEIC):
- A nonprofit organization called ‘India Graphene Engineering and Innovation Centre (I-GEIC)’ shall be set up to cater the needs of the project.

About Graphene

Graphene, a single layer of carbon atoms arranged in a hexagonal lattice, has emerged as one of the most extraordinary materials in modern science.
With remarkable properties that transcend traditional materials, graphene has the potential to revolutionize diverse fields ranging from electronics to materials science.

Structure and Properties

Atomic Structure: Graphene consists of a single layer of carbon atoms bonded together in a honeycomb lattice, forming a two-dimensional structure.
Exceptional Strength: Despite being just one atom thick, graphene is incredibly strong and resilient, with a tensile strength over 100 times that of steel.
Superior Conductivity: Graphene exhibits exceptional electrical conductivity, allowing electrons to move at extremely high speeds.
Transparency: Graphene is optically transparent, allowing over 97% of visible light to pass through it.

Discovery and Nobel Prize

Isolation: Graphene was first isolated in 2004 by Andre Geim and Konstantin Novoselov using a simple method involving sticky tape and pencil graphite.
Nobel Recognition: In 2010, Geim and Novoselov were awarded the Nobel Prize in Physics for their groundbreaking work on graphene.

Applications and Impact

Electronics: Graphene’s high electrical conductivity and remarkable electron mobility make it a promising candidate for ultrafast transistors and electronic devices.
Flexible Electronics: Graphene’s flexibility and transparency have led to the development of flexible, foldable, and wearable electronic devices.
Energy Storage: Graphene-based materials show potential for high-capacity batteries, supercapacitors, and energy-efficient solar cells.
Materials Science: Graphene’s strength, lightness, and impermeability have implications for creating strong yet lightweight materials for industries such as aerospace.
Biomedical Applications: Graphene-based materials have shown promise in drug delivery, bioimaging, and biosensors.

Challenges and Limitations

Mass Production: Current methods of producing high-quality graphene are expensive and limited in scale.
Band Gap: Graphene’s lack of a band gap limits its application in semiconductor devices.
Toxicity Concerns: The potential toxicity of graphene nanoparticles in certain biological environments is still being studied.

Research and Innovations

Graphene Derivatives: Researchers are exploring graphene oxide and other derivatives to overcome some of the limitations of pure graphene.
Functionalization: Functionalizing graphene with different atoms and molecules can modify its properties for specific applications.

Future Prospects

Electronics Evolution: Graphene-based transistors and components could drive the next generation of high-speed, energy-efficient electronics.
Energy Revolution: Graphene’s applications in energy storage and conversion could reshape the landscape of renewable energy technologies.

Key facts about Graphene

Graphene is a material that is extracted from graphite and is made up of pure carbon.
It is one of the most important elements in nature which we find in daily objects like the lead of a pencil.
It is the world’s thinnest, strongest, and most conductive material of both electricity and heat.
It conducts electricity better than copper.
It is 200 times stronger than steel but six times lighter.
It is almost perfectly transparent as it absorbs only 2% of light.
It is impermeable to gases, even those as light as hydrogen and helium.