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Graphene and Nanotechnology
In my opinion production of Graphene should not be called “3D”, since Graphene is a one
atom thick layer of graphite, it can hardly be more 2D than that! Anyway, Graphene is of-
ten described as the super material for the future and is almost as hyped as 3D printing is.
Graphene is 200 times stronger than steel, it is superlight and more conductive than copper.
Experiments with “3D” printing of Graphene are underway. However, success might be elu-
sive since graphene being a one-layer atom sheet, is quite unstable and hard to produce even
with conventional methods. Graphene may be used to make batteries that recharge superfast.
It promises to be many times more efficient in use in solar panels and semiconductors might
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be up to 100 times faster
. It is predicted that graphene will replace silicon in the future.
Another wonder material related to Graphene; Aerogel, is probably not 3D printable, due to
its very high melting point and material properties changing for worse after melting.
Nanotechnology is another futuristic potential field for 3D printing, which is also somewhat
related to graphene. The next phase of nanotechnology could be “Atomically Precise Man-
ufacturing (APM)” which, defined in the words of the MIT Engineer Eric Drexler, is: “man-
ufacturing using machinery based on nanoscale devices, and products built with atomic pre-
cisions”. It is about building at the molecular level with engineering control and by doing
so enhance and improve the functionality of materials, products and processes. This tech-
nology is still to be developed and it is unclear which technological road this development
will take. The APM production unit will be similar to 3D printing technique but will work
with multiple materials and ultimate precision and the molecules or atoms might be self-as-
sembled to some degree.
The Northeastern University in Boston is developing a nano-scale printing system which
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promises to print in layers 4000 times narrower than a human hair.
The printer might be
used for making microchips or medicine that is absorbed through the skin instead of being
injected. Northeastern's equipment does not work like a regular 3D printer, it works with a
mold with nanowires where small particles are attracted by electric currents.
 
 
 
 
 
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