3D printing in graphene

3D printing in graphene is coming and it will be big.

Graphene is a one-atom-thick layer of carbon atoms arranged in a hexagonal lattice. It holds an immense array of astonishing properties, repeatedly receiving the title “wonder material”. It is truly a material that could change the world, with unlimited potential for integration in almost any industry. Graphene is the thinnest material known to man, but is also incredibly strong – about 200 times stronger than steel.

Researchers say it would take an elephant balanced on a pencil to puncture a graphene sheet. On top of that, graphene is an excellent conductor of heat and electricity, and is even sometimes regarded as a substitute for silicon – being stronger, more flexible and a much better conductor.

Graphene Chart

Graphene is one of the most diverse materials in the world, and can be combined with other elements (including gases and metals) to produce different materials possessing a myriad of superior properties. Researchers all over the world continue to constantly investigate and patent graphene to learn its various properties and possible applications, which include ink, airplane wings, transistors, computer chips, batteries, flexible touch screens, tires, DNA-sequencing devices, saltwater filters, tennis rackets, antennas, solar cells, organic tissue applications and much more.

Graphene-enhanced nanocomposite materials greatly improve traditional materials used in 3D printing, like plastics. Graphene nanoplatelets added to polymers make materials that are mechanically stronger and with improved thermal and electrical conductivity. Graphene 3d printing has the potential to enable printing of computers, solar panels, electronics and even cars and airplanes. An interesting video demonstrating 3D printing of a working battery can be found on this link. 3D printing is already in use in major industries like aerospace, automotive and defense, and is expected to further grow, spread and revolutionize ways of production as we know them.

Graphene 3D printing is an exciting and bustling field of R&D interest, always in pursuit of a better, cheaper or more efficient way of utilizing graphene in 3D printing.

Stratasys and Graphene Technologies announced a partnership in July 2014 to co-develop graphene-enhanced 3D printing materials. In addition, Graphene 3D Labs (a joint-venture between Graphene Labs and Lomiko Metals) plans to begin production of graphene filaments for 3D printing in the near future, and is working towards a target of reaching commercial production around the first half of 2015. Graphene 3D labs also recently displayed a prototype for a 3D printable batteries based on graphene. These batteries can potentially outperform current commercial batteries. Angstron Materials, a US based company, began to offer graphene-enhanced polymers (in pellet of strands form) for use in FDM 3D printing