Graphite/graphene is likely to be the new basic building block of the 21st century era. This said, there will be growing pains in this sector; as with any. Yesterday, I read this article about how scientists at the University of Edinburgh have found that one type of invisible graphene nanoplatelets likely to be used in next generation electronics, are prone to become airborne and as such workers need to be protected from unwittingly inhaling them. The scientists at Edinburgh think it wise to conduct further research and they will possibly disagree.
As with silicon wafer manufacture, the materials handling problem will probably be solved much the same way. Production under sealed super-clean facilities, with the room under reduced atmospheric pressure to ensure no nanoplatelets get released into other parts of the manufacturing process. Air from the sealed facilities will probably get passed through a super filter several times, possibly one made of graphene itself. Given all the advantages of the coming graphene revolution, any materials handling concerns with this particular type of graphene nanoplatelet, will be well addressed long before any process starts using it.
Below, how BBC Scotland covered the news that first appeared in ACS Nano.
Graphene 'could pose health risk' to workers
21 February 2012
People involved in making a material used to enhance computer and phone touch screens could be at risk of lung damage, according to new research.
Scientists at the University of Edinburgh have been studying the behaviour of the so-called miracle material, graphene.
They say, when produced in a certain form, the ultra-thin carbon contains tiny particles known as nanoplatelets.
These can lodge in the lungs and may cause health problems, the study found.
---- The flexibility of these disc-shaped particles, known as nanoplatelets, allows them to be readily incorporated into plastic and rubber, giving them new and useful properties.
They can also be used to enhance the electronic properties of touch screens.
The Edinburgh scientists found that the nanoplatelets, which are invisible to the naked eye, behave like tiny frisbees and stay airborne.
But the researchers said their aerodynamic properties also mean that when inhaled, they can find their way deeper into the lungs compared with other forms of graphene.
The scientists said the particles could accumulate in the lungs and cause damage.
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In other carbon nanotube news, ACS Nano is also reporting advances in nanotube spinal cord use. Offering the prospect ahead or spinal cord repair and all that it implies in so many conditions.
Spinal Cord Explants Use Carbon Nanotube Interfaces To Enhance Neurite Outgrowth and To Fortify Synaptic Inputs
Link.
ACS Nano link
University of Edinburgh. Link