The 2-D one-atom-thick carbon allotrope was first isolated at the Univ. of Manchester, UK, in 2004. The university is now a leader in applied and fundamental graphene research, with the National Graphene Institute leading the way. Graphene promises a revolution in electrical and chemical engineering. It is a potent conductor, extremely lightweight, chemically inert and flexible with a large surface area. It could be the perfect candidate for high capacity energy storage.
Soon after graphene’s isolation, early research already showed that lithium batteries with graphene in their electrodes had a greater capacity and lifespan than standard designs.
A new project, "Electrochemical Energy Storage with Graphene-Enabled Materials", is exploring different ways to reduce the size and weight of batteries and extend their lifespan by adding graphene as a component material.
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