From toothbrushes to aerospace: Graphene research advances fibers that conduct heat efficiently

KAIST's discovery of graphene oxide liquid crystals in 2011 has revolutionized the development of high-performance graphene fibers with exceptional thermal conductivity and strength. This breakthrough has enabled the creation of antibacterial toothbrushes and functional sportswear, among other applications. Professor Sang Ouk Kim's team at KAIST has published a commentary in Nature Materials examining recent advances in high-performance graphene fibers based on graphene oxide liquid crystals and their scientific significance.

By dispersing graphene oxide in water and allowing it to form a liquid-crystalline state, researchers have been able to draw long fibers while maintaining the sheets' orientation along the fiber axis, resulting in lightweight, strong, and thermally conductive materials. Recent research conducted by Zhejiang University in China has further advanced this technology by developing a method for producing ultrahigh-ratio drawn graphene fibers with reduced internal voids and defects, ultimately leading to improved thermal and electrical conductivity.

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