Could Graphene Nanofluid Become A Global Standard Cooling Technology?

(Photo : U.S. Department of Energy from United States [Public domain])

The world is always looking to evolve, expand, and progress, meaning there is a constant need for there to be technology available that enables us to demand more in everything that we do. One such advancement has been the process of taking graphene to a liquid state, giving this highly intelligent substance a more versatile and utilisable form that can be used in a variety of different ways across industries. Let's take a look at graphene nanofluid in a bit more detail to see how it could become a huge part of our technology in the near future.

What Is Graphene Nanofluid?

First of all, you'll need a basic understanding of graphene, as this will make its uses a lot clearer later in the article. Graphene is a single sheet composition of graphite, which is constructed from carbon atoms. The way that these atoms are arranged is hugely important, as this massively impacts the nature of the material. A great example is the difference between brittle, easy to manipulate graphite and strong, durable diamond. 

Graphene's composition is just one atom thick, making it the thinnest substance on the planet and the first two-dimensional material ever. What's most shocking is the unbelievable strength of graphene despite this small stature, which, when combined with the conductive and impermeable qualities it possesses, makes for a hugely useful compound.

With graphene nanofluids, the properties of graphene are turned into a soluble solution that is more versatile, stable, and easier to utilise on a wider industrial scale. The previous incumbent cooling fluid, which was alcohol-based, had been based on a concept almost 100 years old, so an update is well overdue now that new technology and materials are available to assist in the development of a fresh, more intelligent cooling solution. 

Which Industries Is Graphene Useful In?

This is a question that is largely unanswered at this point, but already at this early stage, we have seen some very promising uses for graphene nanofluids, particularly in high-scale cooling scenarios. Thanks to the fantastic heat conducting properties that graphene features, it is a highly effective cooling solution - this gives the substance phenomenal applications across the board and in ways that may not have even been fully realised at this point. 

In the automotive industry, graphene nanofluids are a very exciting advancement with massive potential, especially when it comes to electric vehicles. The possibility for more effective engine and component cooling can further the manufacturer's ability to meet the demands of consumers and industry, which is to see cars cars go faster and further. Of course, demanding more speed and power from an engine causes thermal strain, so highly effective cooling solutions will ultimately help the cars perform at a higher capacity, whilst also improving battery longevity across use cases. 

Away from a sporting setting, the solution can also be used to enhance computing for many of the same reasons seen in motorsport; the demands of the market are always increasing, so the need for computers and servers that can process more data at higher speeds is becoming a necessity. Graphene nanofluid can be used to cool data centres and possibly provide cooling to supercomputers in the future, so this could lead to huge strides forward in almost every technological field.

Although the future is uncertain at this point, many scientific experts predict that advancements in graphene technology holds huge potential that could help us to reach previously unprecedented heights. Flexegraph continues to look for new avenues for their graphene nanofluid technology to go down, with huge possible functions on the cusp of being realised with each stride taken, driving them towards their goal of having their solution becoming the "Intel Inside" of cooling fluids for mechanical systems. This would be a huge feat for both the company, the industry, and the wonder-material that is taking the world by storm.