石墨烯改变世界的5种方式
石墨烯改变世界的5种方式
Graphene might be one of the world's most useful materials. Though it's only one carbon atom thick, it's many times stronger than steel, and highly flexible to boot.
石墨烯可能是世界上最有用的材料之一。虽然它只有一个碳原子那么厚，但它比钢强很多倍，而且启动时非常灵活。
Ever since it was first isolated by researchers in 2004, the list of patents involving graphene has grown exponentially every year. It may not be long before this supermaterial spawns a technological revolution that could truly change the world.
自从2004年研究人员首次分离出石墨烯以来，涉及石墨烯的专利清单每年都呈指数级增长。用不了多久，这种超级材料就会引发一场可能真正改变世界的技术革命。
Graphene's structure is an atomic-scale honeycomb lattice made of carbon atoms. (Photo: BONNINSTUDIO/Shutterstock)
Here are several profound graphene inventions to look forward to in the near future.
以下是几项意义深远的石墨烯发明，值得我们在不久的将来期待。
1. Fuel from the air
空气燃料
The same researchers who won the Nobel Prize for isolating graphene, Andre Geim of Manchester University and colleagues, have shown that graphene could be used to make mobile electric generators powered by hydrogen extracted from the air. Geim's team discovered that although graphene is impermeable to even the smallest of atoms, it can be used to sieve hydrogen atoms stripped of their electrons.
曼彻斯特大学的安德烈•海姆和他的同事曾因分离石墨烯获得诺贝尔奖，他们的研究表明，石墨烯可以用于制造由从空气中提取的氢气驱动的移动发电机。海姆的团队发现，尽管石墨烯对最小的原子都是不渗透的，但它可以用来过滤失去电子的氢原子。
2. Protection from mosquitoes
防止蚊子
Aedes aegypti can be deadly, but graphene appears to hold some promise of protection. (Photo: Muhammad Mahdi Karim [GFDL 1.2]/Wikimedia Commons)
The same impermeability that comes into play with fuel cells raises other potential uses for graphene, including keeping mosquitoes at bay. In this application, researchers found two pathways to block these deadly insects.
与燃料电池相同的不透水性也促进了石墨烯的其他潜在用途，包括防止蚊子叮咬。在这项应用中，研究人员发现了两种途径来阻止这些致命的昆虫。
3. Predator vision
捕食者视觉
Graphene has shown promise for thermal infrared photodetectors. (Photo: Ivan Smuk/Shutterstock)
The classic sci-fi action film "Predator" features an alien assassin that has the ability to see the world in thermal infrared. Now, thanks to graphene, you might be able to have "Predator" vision. Researchers from the University of Michigan have developed a graphene contact lens that allows wearer to sense the whole infrared spectrum — plus visible and ultraviolet light.
经典科幻动作电影《铁血战士》中，外星刺客有能力通过红外热成像看到世界。现在，多亏了石墨烯，你或许能够拥有“捕食者”的视觉。密歇根大学的研究人员开发了一种石墨烯隐形眼镜，可以让佩戴者感知整个红外光谱——外加可见光和紫外光。
4. A world without rust
一个没有生锈的世界
Graphene could offer a less toxic rust-proofing option than some existing methods. (Photo: Herain Kanthatham/Shutterstock)
Because graphene is virtually impermeable, a coat of graphene-based paint could one day be used to eradicate corrosion and rust. Researchers have even shown that glassware or copper plates covered with graphene paint can be used as containers for strongly corrosive acids.
由于石墨烯实际上是不透水的，一层基于石墨烯的涂料有一天可以用来消除腐蚀和生锈。研究人员甚至发现，覆盖石墨烯涂料的玻璃器皿或铜板可以用作强腐蚀性酸的容器。
5. Glowing wallpaper
发光壁纸
Glowing walls could soon replace the light bulb, thanks to the development of new graphene-based electrode technology that makes displays thinner than ever before. Such glowing "wallpaper" provides more pleasant, adjustable light across a room than light bulbs can, and it can also be made more energy-efficient. And, let's face it, few things seem more futuristic than illuminated "Tron"-like walls.
由于新型石墨烯电极技术的发展，发光的墙壁可能很快取代灯泡，使显示器比以往任何时候都更薄。这种发光的“墙纸”提供了比灯泡更舒适、更可调节的房间光线，而且还可以使其更节能。而且，让我们面对现实吧，没有什么东西比发光的“电子争霸战”般的墙壁更具有未来感。
