An atom thick, world’s thinnest light bulb.
London - Scientists have created the
world’s thinnest light bulb using the wonder material graphene in a layer just
one atom thick.
Graphene, a form of carbon, has been
hailed as having a vast range of uses. The super-thin material’s ability to
shine light is seen as a key step towards slimmer computer and TV screens.
The light bulb was made by attaching a
small strip of “atomically thin” graphene, acting as a filament, to metal
electrodes. When a current was passed through it, the graphene lit up.
The filament, despite being tiny, is
visible to the naked eye when it is on. The graphene reaches very high
temperatures – 2 500C – but does not melt the electrodes because the “hot spot”
is restricted to the centre of the filament.
James Hone, professor of mechanical
engineering at Columbia University in New York, said: “We’ve created what is
essentially the world’s thinnest light bulb.”
He said the light “will pave the way
towards the realisation of atomically thin, flexible and transparent displays”.
Graphene, discovered in the UK in 2004,
is composed of carbon atoms linked in a hexagonal lattice. It is 200 times
stronger than steel by weight, conducts electricity efficiently, and is nearly
transparent.
Daily Mail
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