Graphene
Graphene is a single layer (monolayer) of carbon atoms, tightly bound in a hexagonal honeycomb lattice.
It is 200 times stronger than steel at an equal thickness.
It can be combined with other elements (including gases and metals) to produce different materials with various superior properties.
Graphene is extracted from graphite and dozens of companies around the world are producing different types and grades of graphene materials using a variety of techniques like CVD-based process to graphene flakes produced from graphite in large volumes.
It is almost perfectly transparent since it only absorbs 2% of light and is permeable to gases.
Graphene conducts electricity better than copper and is an excellent conductor of heat as well, opening it up for applications in the heat transfer, energy storage and electronics industry.
If it reacts with oxygen in the presence of high temperature, results in producing graphene oxide which damages the material completely to a point at which it will lose the property of conducting electricity.
The relatively newer methods of production and the higher costs associated with them are some of its drawbacks making mass production of graphene extremely hard.
Graphene has potential applications in batteries, paints, smart phones, transistors, electronics, computers and solar cells. It can also be used in biotechnology based applications like drug delivery, testing and tissue engineering. Air treatment, filtration, and oil and chemical spill containment is achieved due to its absorbent properties.