China - August 05, 2024

China leads the way in graphene applications

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China is taking steps to develop its graphene industry, the ultra-hard and ultra-conductive super-material with a range of applications in the energy, construction, medial, electronics, and transportation industries.

As part of a larger plan to boost the country’s science and technology sectors, researchers at the National Graphene Innovation Center in east China’s Ningbo City are finding new uses for the material.

Graphene’s atoms are in a honeycomb structure, which makes it an extremely reliable conductor for electricity and heat. Plus, its super thin at only one atom thick, and super strong, about 200 times the strength of steel.

Researchers at the NGIC are using a graphene film to help solve problems related to thermal conductivity in microchips.

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Guo Yufen, director, NGICC thermal conductive film project:

"We make graphene into thermal conductive film, which is mainly used in 3C products. In addition to its application in the field of consumer electronics, it can also be used in the aerospace field. For example, today's satellites have begun to use graphene to dissipate heat."

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The director of the NGIC says research is also underway to study how graphene can be added to other materials to make them better.

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Liu Zhaoping, director, NGIC:

"I am holding a material called super copper, which is a composite of graphene and copper. The composite of graphene completely changes the conductivity of copper. This material's conductivity has reached 118 percent that of copper, so if it is used in motors, it would make their driving efficiency extremely high. If 10 percent of our country's motors, including those in high-speed trains, new energy vehicles, and various devices are using this material, 18.5 billion kilowatt hours of electricity can be saved a year, which would be a significant support for our country's carbon peaking and neutrality strategies."

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According to market research company Fact.Mr based in Dubai, the global graphene market will be valued at more than 3.8 billion U.S. dollars by 2034.

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