14 DAY TRIAL // Since its discovery, scientists have seen graphene as a major possible speed enhancer as a semiconductor component.
In fact, the speed boost the material has is so powerful, that the issue of using it practically is how to make it stop conducting current, and turn a circuit off. However, the growing graphene quantities across the world prompt scientists on finding solutions to use the material after all.
In this regard, new studies from Stanford University have emerged on finding ways to use the graphene not by altering its fundamental properties, but by using it unaltered in practical solutions. Thus, wrapping copper wires with graphene instead of replacing the copper with the new material should be a better option. Tests have shown so far that the performance actually increases as the wires get smaller.
A question of size
One major impediment in modern technological advancement is how to make copper wires in systems smaller and yet carry the same amount of electrons without getting distorted and damaged. Comparing a wire with a water pipe, you have to make the pipe thinner but keep the same amount of water going through it at the same rate as a larger one. The volume and speed of the water will result in higher resistance and friction with the pipe, damaging it.
The same thing is with copper wires. Today’s main sheathing material is tantalum nitride that only protects the copper from being damaged by high voltage. Switching to graphene, it will not act only as a good insulator but also as a much improved conductor sharing the load of the copper wire.
Although graphene is used today in small quantities, it brings only slight increases in performance of about 4-17%, depending on the length of the wire. Increasing its quantity in the future, however will bring performance boots of about 30% compared to current day circuit speeds.
Problem is that today graphene is still difficult to create in large quantities, and until the industry doesn’t find ways to increase its numbers it’s unlikely we’ll ever see the advantage of using it.