Context
∙ The Union government recently launched India’s first graphene centre (IICG) in Kerala.
∙ The centre was established to foster research and development, product innovation and capacity building in the area of graphene and 2D material systems.
About the Graphene
∙ Graphene, a single layer of carbon atoms arranged in a honeycomb
Applications
∙ Graphene composites are used in automotive, sports equipment and construction.
∙ It is used for high-performance batteries and super-capacitors, touchscreens, and conductive inks.
∙ Graphene-based sensors are used for environmental monitoring, healthcare and wearable devices.
∙ Graphene oxide membranes are used for water purification and desalination.
∙ Graphene-based masks were made during COVID.
∙ Graphene is important for defence and aerospace as well. Its exceptional strength makes it a promising material for armour and ballistic protection.
∙ Graphene has the potential to absorb and dissipate electromagnetic waves, making it valuable for developing stealth coatings and materials that reduce radar signatures and electromagnetic interference.
∙ Graphene is highly sensitive to environmental changes, which makes it an excellent candidate for sensing chemical and biological agents, explosives, radiation, and other hazardous substances.
∙ Besides, graphene-based materials can also protect us against chemical and biological attacks.
About the Centre of Excellence (CoE) in IIoT Sensors
∙ Along with the IICG, the Centre of Excellence (CoE) in IIoT Sensors was also launched.
∙ It aims to catalyse the development of sensors within the realm of Intelligent IoT systems covering a broad spectrum of applications of intelligent sensors in networks and devices.
∙ The IoT is a network of interconnected devices that communicate and share data with each other through the internet.
