This article was taken from the June 2013 issue of Wired magazine. Be the first to read Wired's articles in print before they're posted online, and get your hands on loads of additional content by <span class="s1">subscribing online.
Graphene consists of just one layer of carbon atoms; it's incredibly thin, strong, transparent and conductive -- and you can make it yourself. Materials scientist Aravind Vijayaraghavan at the University of Manchester works on its applications in computer science, such as its potential to replace silicon in microchip transistors or to enable flexible touchscreens. He explains how to make your own version of the near-2D material.
Source your materials
You'll need powdered graphite, which you can get from a chemical's manufacturer or from a DIY store -- it's often used as a solid lubricant for locks and railway joints. You'll also need some tape. Scotch tape is too sticky, but you don't need the £700-a-roll wafer tape that Vijayaraghavan uses; the clear, adhesive film used by stationery shops to cover notebooks is perfect for your home effort.
Stick and peel repeatedly
Cut your film into a strip about 2cm x 5cm, and place a tiny amount of the graphite flakes (use tweezers) three-quarters of the way along the length of the sticky side. "A pinch is too much!" warns Vijayaraghavan. Now fold your tape in half so the graphite is in the middle, and then peel apart again. Repeat this about 20 times. Every time you pull, you split the layers of carbon atoms that make up each graphite particle.
Admire your (miniature) work
Stick your tape down on a slide and place under a simple microscope. You'll be able to view the graphene at between 100x and 400x. Without lab conditions, it's nearly impossible to identify an absolute single layer of carbon atoms, as up to about five layers look the same. You'll see some black and grey specks of graphite. "Look around for the lightest piece you can find," he says.
That's your graphene.
This article was originally published by WIRED UK
