Graphene is a single layer of carbon atoms tightly bound in a hexagonal honeycomb lattice, making it the thinnest known material at just one atom thick
. It is an allotrope of carbon, derived from graphite, where multiple layers of graphene stack together
. Graphene is exceptionally strong-about 200 times stronger than steel-while being extremely light and flexible
. It also has remarkable electrical and thermal conductivity, outperforming almost all other materials in these respects
. Its unique electronic properties arise from its structure, where electrons behave like massless relativistic particles, enabling ballistic charge transport over long distances
. Discovered and isolated in 2004 by researchers at the University of Manchester, graphene has since been recognized as a "wonder material" with vast potential applications including batteries, transistors, computer chips, energy generation, supercapacitors, water filters, touchscreens, and more
. Its combination of strength, conductivity, and thinness makes it ideal for enhancing materials, improving heat dissipation, and advancing energy storage technologies
. In summary, graphene is a one-atom-thick sheet of carbon atoms arranged in a hexagonal lattice, notable for its extraordinary strength, conductivity, and versatility across many technological fields
