World's First Single-Atom-Thick Fabric

neutron_p writes "Researchers at The University of Manchester have made the world's first single-atom-thick fabric, which reveals the existence of a new class of materials and may lead to computers made from a single molecule. They call it graphene, because it's 'webbed' by extraction of individual planes of carbon atoms from graphite crystal. The nanofabric belongs to the family of fullerene molecules, which were discovered during the last two decades, but is the first two-dimensional fullerene."

Comments

Whoo Hoo!

[I am the Bullgod]

J-Lo has already commissioned a dress made out of the stuff for the Oscars.

Re:Whoo Hoo!

[ThetaKestrel]

I was gonna reply, "But they can only make a couple square microns of it!" - and then I realized, that's the point ;)

Re:Whoo Hoo!

[Anonymous Coward]

Yeah, she wants to cover her brain with it

Reminds me of Seinfeld

[HonkyLips]

Kramer: I've cut slices so thin, I couldn't even see them.
Elaine: How'd you know you cut it?
Kramer: I guess I just assumed...

Re:Reminds me of Seinfeld

[kzinti]

That's nothing. My uncle can cut roast beef so thin it only has one side. The cheap bastard...

Re:Reminds me of Seinfeld

[Mignon]

Theorem: My uncle can cut roast beef so thin it only has one side.

Proof: Assume a cow that is topologically equivalent to a Klein bottle. The rest is left as an exercise for the butcher.

Monosheet?

[Solder Fumes]

So...there's lots of stuff out there discussing "monoatomic filament" as a sci-fi concept. Supposedly the sharpest thing possible, and a dangerous weapon.

How strong is this stuff? If you stretched a band of it between two points, say along the edge of a sword, would you have something that could produce the world's nastiest paper cuts?

Re:Would someone be allergic to it?

[CrazyGringo]

First off, fullerenes are strong enough to build a space-elevator with, I don't think they'll come apart so easy.

Secondly, if you are eating fabric on a regular basis, cancer risk might be the least of your problems.

Neato

[Anonymous Coward]

I hope they can make condoms out of this stuff.

Re:Neato

[erick99]

And you would do, what, with it?

CONDOMS ! ! !

[weighn]

I can hear the advertising slogan already.

you wont know you're wearing it.
And if you're a truely a geek, she wont know you're in it.

I found a picture of it!

[eingram]

Here it is (below):





Cool stuff, huh?

The world's tiniest novel is now possible!

[DoorFrame]

I've always wanted to write the world's tiniest novel. Now all I need is a monoatomic pencil and a monoatomic eraser. Or maybe just a monoatomic word processor.

When will science catch up with my worthwhile ideas? When?

Brrrr....

[corngrower]

I don't think it'll be very useful in winter coats. Maybe for ladies' swimwear.

Re:Can it cut things?

[Wehesheit]

Can you keep it stiff?

Well, I try. It's really up to her though.

The Emperor's New Clothes

[Anonymous Coward]

That Hans Christian Andersen was so far ahead of his time he wrote about this graphene stuff hundreds of years ago.

Re:Didn't RTFA...

[zakalwe]

But maybe one application would be creating insanely large solar sails that fold up extremely small.

Aha, but could you fold it in half more than 7 times? ;)

Good idea for better sex - molecule condoms!

[tod_miller]

Condoms!

Molecule thin!

Get them while they are hot!

2050: Durex extra sensitive using nanotech technology with built into internal wifi nano-webcam and apache-hhtpd. Runs linux.

Re:Can it cut things?

[mog007]

All I know is that it's the perfect material for pants when you're getting a lap dance.

Re:Would someone be allergic to it?

[Drey]

It may need a warning label.

Great

[Bill, Shooter of Bul]

Thats just what I need. A really sharp, invisible razor blade. My face hurts just thinking about it.

Re:Would someone be allergic to it?

[gosand]

Secondly, if you are eating fabric on a regular basis...

Does munching carpet count?

Sorry, I realize there are a million geeks tilting their heads like confused dogs right about now.