The Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences on Tuesday has award the Nobel Prize in Physics to two Russian-born scientists for their groundbreaking experiments on carbon and research studies on its uses in creating faster computers and transparent touchscreen
displays.
Andre Geim, 51; and Konstantin Novoselov, 36, were awarded the most prestigious award in science for their experiments using Scotch tape to isolate graphene – a form of carbon material that is about one atom think.
Despite being relatively thinner, carbon is the strongest material known to mankind. Graphene, a form of carbon, is one hundred times stronger than steel.
Geim and Novoselov, professors at the University of Manchester, said that graphene’s flexibility will revolutionize the world – much like plastic did after it was discovered.
Novoselov, the youngest Nobel Prize winner Novoselov is the youngest since 1973, said their experiments on the uses of graphene showed that the carbon material can be used for the development of other super strong materials for satellites, cars, aircrafts, and communications equipment.
“It is really exciting to showcase graphene’s ability. It has all the potential same ways that plastics did and it could change our lives,” he said.
Based on their study, the two scientists said that computers will become more efficient and faster if it used graphene transistors – rather than the traditional silicon transistors – because of its conductibility.
Because it is also a transparent material, graphene is suitable to be used as touchscreen panels or even solar cells.
The two scientists were also awarded$1.5 million.
