Scientists have made the world's smallest light bulb by using an atom-thick layer of graphene. The incredible material could be used to improve smartphones, computers, cars, and satellites.
Researchers from Columbia University and Seoul National University (SNU) teamed up to transform the super-thin graphene strip into a red-hot filament. It is like the wire in an incandescent light bulb.
The miracle material graphene glowed, burning at a temperature of around 2500 C (4532 F). Even though the light source was on an atonic scale, the naked eye could still see it.
The high temperature was focused on a micro "hot spot" due to the graphene becoming a poor heat conductor, according to IBTimes. Thus, it did not cause damage to the silicon chip it was mounted on.
The researchers explained that their discovery involving the graphene application could be used for future computer technology that would transmit digital data through light pulses, rather than electrical signals via silicon chips.
James Hone is a mechanical engineering professor at Columbia University . He stated that the joint research team was the first one to build a computer chip with a self-contained visible light source.
Hone stated that inventing the world's smallest light bulb has several applications. The "broadband" light bulb could lead to atom-thin clear displays and graphene-based optical communications, according to Times of India.
Two Russian scientists first discovered graphene. It is made up of atom-thick carbon layers in a grid structure. The amazing material is lightweight and flexible yet strong, and conducts electricity.
Graphene has other real-world applications besides making the smallest light bulbs for computer chips. Due to their properties they could also be used for mobile touchscreens and rust-free cars.
The researchers' findings were published in the journal Nature Nanotechnology.