Powder River Basin Graphene Inks
Faculty Mentor Information
David Estrada
Abstract
Graphene, a 2D material comprised exclusively of Carbon atoms, has been making its way into nanoelectronic technology due to its incredible strength and very high electrical conductivity. Graphene, in powder form, is often used to produce conductive inks which can eventually be printed on to flexible substrates and then later used in various technological applications. Moreover, the Powder River Basin, located in parts of Montana and Wyoming, is home to some of the largest coal deposits in the United States. With provided samples of Coal Char Reduced and Graphene Oxide from the Powder River Basin, processed by collaborators at the University of Wyoming, the focus of this project is to transform these samples into printable inks, which can later be tested for conductivity levels and overall functionality in potential flexible electronics applications. The advancement of such conductive ink technologies would not only demonstrate a useful way of transforming coal byproducts, but also pave the way for revitalizing coal based industries towards the emerging multibillion dollar flexible electronics markets.
Powder River Basin Graphene Inks
Graphene, a 2D material comprised exclusively of Carbon atoms, has been making its way into nanoelectronic technology due to its incredible strength and very high electrical conductivity. Graphene, in powder form, is often used to produce conductive inks which can eventually be printed on to flexible substrates and then later used in various technological applications. Moreover, the Powder River Basin, located in parts of Montana and Wyoming, is home to some of the largest coal deposits in the United States. With provided samples of Coal Char Reduced and Graphene Oxide from the Powder River Basin, processed by collaborators at the University of Wyoming, the focus of this project is to transform these samples into printable inks, which can later be tested for conductivity levels and overall functionality in potential flexible electronics applications. The advancement of such conductive ink technologies would not only demonstrate a useful way of transforming coal byproducts, but also pave the way for revitalizing coal based industries towards the emerging multibillion dollar flexible electronics markets.