Scientists develop the world's thinnest balloon

August 11, 2008

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Scientists have developed the world's thinnest balloon that is impermeable to even the smallest gas molecules. Above is a multi-layer graphene membrane that could be used in various applications, including filters and sensors. Image: Jonathan Alden

(PhysOrg.com) -- Researchers in New York are reporting development of the world's thinnest balloon, made of a single layer of graphite just one atom thick. This so-called graphene sealed microchamber is impermeable to even the tiniest airborne molecules, including helium.

It has a range of applications in sensors, filters, and imaging of materials at the atomic level, they say in a study scheduled for the August 13 issue of ACS' Nano Letters.

Paul L. McEuen and colleagues note that membranes are fundamental components of a wide variety of physical, chemical and biological systems, found in everything from cellular compartments to mechanical pressure sensing.

Graphene, a single layer of graphite, is the upper limit: A chemically stable and electrically conducting membrane just one atom thick. The researchers wanted to answer whether such an atomic membrane would be impermeable to gas molecules and easily incorporated into other devices.

Their data showed that graphene membranes were impermeable to even the smallest gas molecules. These results show that single atomic sheets can be integrated with microfabricated structures to create a new class of atomic scale membrane-based devices. We envision many applications for these graphene sealed microchambers, says McEuen. These range from hyper-sensitive pressure, light and chemical sensors to filters able to produce ultrapure solutions.

Article: http://dx.doi.org/10.1021/nl801457b

Provided by American Chemical Society

• ShadowRam - Aug 11, 2008
  • Rank: 5 / 5 (1)
  impermeable to even the smallest gas molecules??
  
  Including Hydrogen?.. interesting...
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• Egnite - Aug 11, 2008
  • Rank: 5 / 5 (1)

  This so-called graphene sealed microchamber is impermeable to even the tiniest airborne molecules, including helium

  
  
  Lol there is mention of helium but not of Hydrogen. I guess better balloons for helium is more important than any breakthrough in Hydrogen storage.
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• Alleg - Aug 11, 2008
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  impermeable to even the smallest gas molecules??
  
  Including Hydrogen?.. interesting...

  Hydrogen is not a gas molecule, it is an element. H2 is though and I suspect the statement in the article still hold true to that.
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• g86 - Aug 11, 2008
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  I found a cool article about helium balloons at http://graycarbon.com
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• bredmond - Aug 11, 2008
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  Would this material do well against tearing? Can the thickness be increased? Would this material harm the skin? It is obviously impermeable to sperm, HIV and other STDs. What I mean is, can it be used for condoms? Seriously.
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• Graeme - Aug 12, 2008
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  It should be as harmless to the skin as graphite. That is messy but harmless.
  The picture looks more like a blister than a balloon.
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