Physicists from NRU "MIET" of Zelenograd with the support of their colleagues from Germany and Spain managed to turn graphene into an efficient source of light which practically does not consume energy and does not require cooling. The material proved to be able to respond to the weakest light sources, and to produce several orders of magnitude more electricity than pure carbon material.

Graphene is a single layer of carbon atoms interconnected by chemical bonding structure resembling the geometry of honeycombs.

Laser “engraving” allowed graphene photodetectors to work at lower temperatures and voltages (at room temperature and at 9 millivolts) than scientists were able to achieve earlier.

This makes it possible to use such graphene not only for creating solar cells or light detectors, but also as components for light processors and other electronic devices such as camera matrices and various medical device sensors.