Feature Materials Science

Carbon flatland

Graphene’s two dimensions offer new physics, novel electronics

By Alexandra Witze

- More than 2 years ago

Some physicists spend their days exploring the three dimensions of space, the four dimensions of spacetime or even the 11 dimensions of something called M-theory. Other researchers are content with just two.

In this false-color microscopy image, a patchwork “quilt” of graphene displays colorful patches where the usual six-member carbon rings grow imperfectly and at different orientations.