Irish researchers to play major role in €1bn project

Irish researchers are to play a major role in a €1bn project, developing the world’s latest wonder material.

Graphene, which promises to be even more useful than plastic, is the strongest material known to man, harder than diamond, impermeable, bendable to any shape, the best conductor of electricity, as thin as an atom, and see-through.

It is the thinnest material, it conducts electricity much better than copper, it is 100-300 times stronger than steel, and has unique optical properties. It is set to become the wonder material of the 21st century, as plastics were to the 20th century, including by replacing silicon in information and communications technology products.