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A team at the National Graphene Institute (NGI) in Manchester has created the cleanest graphene ever produced, removing almost all sources of interference that normally disrupt experiments with this revolutionary material. The breakthrough could open entirely new avenues in quantum research, superconductivity, and next-generation electronics.
By layering bulk graphite just three atoms thick above a single graphene sheet, the researchers created what they describe as a “proximity mirror.” This clever technique cancels out unwanted electric fields, dramatically reducing impurities and “noise” that distort results. In fact, the level of disorder was cut by a factor of 100, leaving only a single uncontrolled electron for every 100 million carbon atoms.
This unprecedented level of purity allows scientists to observe delicate quantum effects that were previously hidden. For example, they were able to detect phenomena at magnetic field strengths weaker than those produced by a household fridge magnet. These insights could accelerate discoveries in exotic quantum phases, magnetism, and even superconductors.
Professor Andre Geim, who first isolated graphene in 2004, and his team believe this method represents a step change in what can be achieved with two-dimensional materials. By creating an “ultimate cleanroom for electrons,” they have set the stage for research that could eventually power quantum computers, ultra-efficient electronics, and new energy technologies.
The work, published in Nature, involved collaborations with Lancaster University, the National University of Singapore, and Japan’s National Institute for Materials Science — showing how graphene continues to drive international scientific progress.
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