Graphite: Can Something Found in the Tips of Our Pencils be 10x Stronger Than Steel?

Graphene is the thinnest and strongest material found on Earth, being only one atom thick. Graphene is so thin that it is considered two-dimensional. It is a building block of graphite, found in the pencils people use every day. Both graphene and graphite are made entirely from carbon, the sixth element on the Periodic Table. For graphene specifically, the carbon is arranged in a hexagonal lattice. Graphene is a great conductor of heat and electricity used in products like computer chips, touch screens, HEAD tennis rackets, and lacrosse gear. Although graphene can be used to enhance these products, “they are not very useful for making 3-D materials that could be used in vehicles, buildings, or devices” ( Buehler, MIT News). In Cambridge, Massachusetts, researchers at MIT University worked together to create a 3-D version of graphene that could be more useful. 

In order to create this three-dimensional version of graphene, researchers compressed small flakes of graphene with both heat and pressure. The result is an incredibly stable structure that looks like “corals and microscopic creatures called diatoms.” (Chandler, MIT News) The 3-D graphene has a significant amount of surface area compared to its volume because of its unique shape. The shape is round with many holes, similar to a nerf ball. This shape is known as a gyroid. Researchers believe this durable material can be more beneficial in the third dimension. For example, 3-D graphene can be used in the construction of bridges. The bridge would weigh very little compared to its size, and because of the large amount of airspace within the material, it would have good insulation. Another use could be filtration systems. Since graphene is naturally porous, it could be used for chemical or water processing. 

Graphene already has a multimillion-dollar industry, and as people continue to find new uses for this ultra-thin material, it is expected to grow to be a multi-billion-dollar industry within a couple of decades. It is strange to think that this insanely strong material can be found in the tip of your pencil. 

Works Cited 

Chandler, D. L. (2017, January 6). Researchers design one of the strongest, lightest materials known. MIT News. https://news.mit.edu/2017/3-d-graphene-strongest-lightest-materials-0106

Trafton, A., & Technology, M. I. of. (2022, February 3). MIT Engineers Create the “Impossible” – New Material That Is Stronger Than Steel and As Light as Plastic. SciTechDaily. https://scitechdaily.com/mit-engineers-create-the-impossible-new-material-that-is-stronger-than-steel-and-as-light-as-plastic/

Graphene-Info. (2017). Graphene-Info.com. https://www.graphene-info.com/graphene-introduction

Siegel, E. (n.d.). There Are 6 “Strongest Materials” On Earth That Are Harder Than Diamonds. Forbes. Retrieved February 24, 2022, from https://www.forbes.com/sites/startswithabang/2019/06/18/there-are-6-strongest-materials-on-earth-that-are-harder-than-diamonds/?sh=6695d0a43412

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