Project runtime: 01.09.2022 – 31.08.2025
2024-02-29_BMBF_KickOff_DiMoGraph
Graphene, i.e. the two-dimensional form of carbon, has been the focus of much research for some time due to its exceptionally high tensile strength and very high electrical and thermal conductivities. Producing graphene in good quality and in high enough quantities for industrial applications is still a challenge. One possibility is the production of so-called "graphene-based conductor materials" (GBL). These materials consist of many, disordered graphene flakes that lie on top of each other. GBL are very light, very stable and very flexible, but have lower electrical conductivity than, for example, single graphene layers. However, it is possible to significantly increase the conductivity of GBL by clever decoupling of the graphene flakes and even surpass copper in this respect. This is being worked on in the DiMoGraph group: In addition to specific, experimental refinement mechanisms, extensive, data-based models for GBL are being developed and tested by the partners Robert Bosch GmbH, Fraunhofer ENAS and TU Chemnitz. The aim of the project is to have all relevant influencing variables in the production of GBL available digitally, so that new and precisely fitting materials for many different applications can be produced quickly and in a resource-saving manner. It would be conceivable to use GBL in the production of better industrial motors, in electric vehicle drives, in lightweight construction or even in high-frequency technology. The weight advantage also makes it possible to use conductors based on graphene fibers to increase the capacity of electrical transmission lines and thus contribute to the energy transition and climate protection. In addition, significantly reduced energy consumption compared to metals can also be expected in the production of electrical conductors. The use of GBL as flexible electrical conductors in smart electronic systems can enable a wide range of applications, e.g. in innovative medical products or robotics. The models created in DiMoGraph are made available to the Material Digital platform and thus contribute to the digital transformation of materials research.
