Khalifa University and University of Manchester Create New Graphene Device for Future Technologies
Researchers from the Khalifa University of Science and Technology’s Research & Innovation Centre for Graphene and 2D Materials (RIC2D) and the Research Innovation Centre on CO2 and Hydrogen (RICH) have teamed up with the University of Manchester to develop a groundbreaking device using graphene. This new device has the potential to transform next-generation technologies in hydrogen fuel cells, computing, and catalysis.
The research demonstrates that the properties of a graphene sheet can be fine-tuned with electric fields to independently host proton and electron currents. This sets the stage for a device that can perform both computer memory and logic functions. The findings were published in the prestigious science journal, Nature, under the title ‘Control of Proton Transport and Hydrogenation in Double-Gated Graphene’.
Dr Ahmed Al Durra, Senior Vice-President of Research and Development at Khalifa University, expressed his excitement about the discovery, stating, “Khalifa University is delighted to lead and collaborate across disciplines on this groundbreaking discovery about graphene. Featured in Nature, this research breakthrough highlights the significant advancements in the material’s applications.”
Dr Marcelo Lozada-Hidalgo, Senior Lecturer and Royal Society University Research Fellow at the University of Manchester, added, “We hope that this understanding of the connection between electronic and ion transport properties in electrode-electrolyte interfaces in 2D materials will inspire various communities, including physics, catalysis, and interfacial science.”
The research was led by Dr Lourdes Vega, Director of RICH and Theme Lead of Energy and Hydrogen at RIC2D, and Dr Daniel Bahamon Garcia, Research Scientist at RIC2D. The team collaborated with scientists from the University of Manchester, the University of Cambridge, and Universidade Federal do Ceara in Brazil.
Using a technique called double gating, where graphene is sandwiched between non-aqueous electrolytes and connected to gate electrodes on each side, researchers were able to control proton transport and proton chemisorption (hydrogenation) independently. By adjusting the voltages on the electrodes, they enhanced the perpendicular flow of protons through graphene and induced hydrogenation of the crystal lattice, affecting its electrical conductivity.
Dr Vega highlighted the significance of this control, stating, “Such control between both the proton transport and the two conductive states (insulator and conductor) are so robust and reproducible that can be exploited to build a device that performs both memory and logic functions in a computer.” This discovery could also impact proton-conducting membranes for hydrogen, catalysis, and isotope separation.
RICH is the only dedicated center in the UAE focused on carbon capture, utilization and storage, hydrogen and its derivatives, and sustainable fuels. RIC2D continues to expand its collaborations to lead innovations in graphene and 2D materials.
Doubts Revealed
Khalifa University -: Khalifa University is a university in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, known for its research and education in science and technology.
University of Manchester -: The University of Manchester is a large university in Manchester, England, famous for its research and teaching in many fields, including science and engineering.
Graphene -: Graphene is a very thin, strong material made of a single layer of carbon atoms. It is known for its excellent electrical and thermal properties.
Hydrogen fuel cells -: Hydrogen fuel cells are devices that generate electricity by combining hydrogen and oxygen, producing only water as a byproduct. They are used in some cars and other technologies.
Computing -: Computing refers to the use of computers to process information, perform calculations, and run software applications.
Catalysis -: Catalysis is a process in which a substance called a catalyst speeds up a chemical reaction without being consumed in the process.
Electric fields -: Electric fields are invisible forces around electric charges that can push or pull other electric charges. They are used in many technologies, including electronics.
Proton and electron currents -: Proton and electron currents refer to the flow of protons (positively charged particles) and electrons (negatively charged particles) in a material, which can create electric currents.
Memory and logic functions -: Memory functions in computers store information, while logic functions perform calculations and make decisions based on that information.
Nature -: Nature is a famous scientific journal where researchers publish important discoveries and studies.
