Nobel Prize-winning graphene research highlights AFOSR-funded physicists Published Nov. 4, 2010 By Maria Callier Air Force Office of Scientific Research ARLINGTON, Va. (AFNS) -- Officials at the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences in Stockholm, Sweden, announced recently the 2010 Nobel Prize in Physics is awarded to Professor Andre Geim and Dr. Konstantin Novoselov from the University of Manchester for their 2004 graphene research. Mr. Geim and Dr. Novoselov achieved science's highest honor by isolating and measuring the properties of a single atomic sheet of graphite, called graphene, which is now generating research interest because of its unique properties of being stronger than steel, yet flexible and stretchable. In 2008, Lt. Col. Scott Dudley, the physics program manager at Air Force Office of Scientific Research's European Office of Aerospace Research and Development in London, funded Mr. Geim and Dr. Novoselov to improve graphene's electrical quality, chemically modify it, and to produce larger and higher quality single crystal flakes. "Graphene is an amazing material, and it has wide-ranging promise for Air Force applications in areas such as low power and microelectronics, terahertz sources and sensors, and flexible compact displays," Colonel Dudley said. "Its chemical applications could include hydrogen storage and molecular sensing." The Nobelists achieved the initial isolation of graphene with regular sticky tape using a process called exfoliation that enabled them to peel away layers from graphite flakes until there was one layer remaining. Dr. Novoselov hand soldered the first graphitic device without even a clean room. "As remarkable as the material is, it is equalled by the story of the discovery and the very low-tech, so-called 'Scotch tape' method of isolation," Colonel Dudley said. "The whole thing could have been done in a garage, albeit one with a decent microscope typically found on most college campuses." Dr. Novoselov visited Wright Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio, in March 2009 to discuss graphene with researchers at the Air Force Research Laboratory, and Mr.Geim visited Arlington, Va. in April 2010 to discuss graphene research directions with officials at the AFOSR and the Office of Naval Research. The Nobel Award in Physics will be presented to Professor Andre Geim, and Dr. Konstantin Novoselov on Dec. 10 at the Annual Prize Award Ceremony at the Stockholm Concert Hall in Stockholm, Sweden.