A technique inspired by Japanese paper arts allows scientists to manipulate single-atom-thick sheets of carbon as if they were pieces of paper, researchers announced March 5 at a meeting of the American Physical Society. The team stretched, twisted and bent the sheets under the microscope.

Graphene, just one carbon atom thick, is under intense study due to its remarkable strength and electric conductivity. But it is hard to isolate graphene because it is produced on a substrate. Cornell physicist Melina Blees and colleagues managed to isolate graphene by dissolving away a layer of aluminum beneath it.

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