Move over, graphene. There's a new super-material in town: Graphullerene
First author and Columbia post-doctoral researcher Elena Meirzadeh created the first crystals of graphullerite in a high-temperature process involving a magnesium scaffold that was later removed with acid after a year's worth of work.
"I thought it would fall apart, but it remained intact. Seeing an intact, pure carbon crystal that we could then easily exfoliate and study was a great surprise," she told Phys.org. Exciting though it may be, discoveries like this can become the victim of hype. In 2011, then UK chancellor George Osborne backed graphene with £50 million in government funding to take the discovery from the"British laboratory to the British factory floor," but the material has yet to make much of an impact in wider industry – though research is ongoing.
Roy said fullerenes are already used to build organic photovoltaic cells and in medicine as contrast agents for MRI and X-ray imaging and to deliver drug therapies, while graphene is being actively explored for potential uses in electronics, energy applications, and more. "Now we've combined them together into this new form of carbon. We don't know exactly what will come out of this work, but it will be very exciting to explore," he said. ®
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
New year, new term, new bus route for schools – and only £1 per journeyPupils at five schools and colleges in Telford and Wrekin will be starting the new year with a new bus route - with journeys capped at £1.
Read more »
Keir Starmer will pledge to move power out of Westminster in 'new way of governing'In his New Year’s address in east London, Sir Keir is expected to build on proposals - outlined in a report published last month – for more devolution
Read more »
How to have the most productive working day of your lifeHow to ensure a new year, new you in your working life
Read more »
Diet: Body image warning over 'new year, new you' postsPressure to lose weight in January can be harmful, influencer and eating disorder charity Beat warn.
Read more »
Diet: Body image warning over 'new year, new you' postsAt this time of year, we're bombarded by adverts telling us how we can improve our appearance - but they're not necessarily good for our health.
Read more »
Love Is Blind's Jessica Batten announces pregnancyLove Is Blind star Jessica Batten announces she's pregnant with first child
Read more »