Graphene is an allotrope of carbon consisting of a single layer of atoms arranged in a two-dimensional honeycomb lattice nanostructure. It is the basic structural element of other allotropes, including graphite, charcoal, carbon nanotubes, and fullerenes. Graphene has many extraordinary properties: it is the strongest material ever tested, conducts heat and electricity efficiently, and is nearly transparent.
While the theoretical existence of graphene was explored for decades, it was long thought that strictly two-dimensional crystals were thermodynamically unstable and could not exist. In 2004, Andre Geim and Konstantin Novoselov at the University of Manchester successfully isolated graphene by peeling layers off graphite using adhesive tape (the 'Scotch tape method'). They were awarded the Nobel Prize in Physics in 2010 for this groundbreaking experiment.
Graphene is often called a 'wonder material' and has triggered a massive wave of research in materials science and nanotechnology. Its potential applications are vast, ranging from flexible electronics, high-frequency transistors, and sensors to advanced composites, water filtration systems, and next-generation batteries. Despite its promise, large-scale, high-quality manufacturing remains a challenge for widespread commercial adoption.