ZME Science
No Result
View All Result
ZME Science
No Result
View All Result
ZME Science

Home → Research → Inventions

World’s smallest radio shows graphene advantage

Mihai AndreibyMihai Andrei
November 21, 2013 - Updated on January 6, 2014
in Inventions, Materials, News
A A
Share on FacebookShare on TwitterSubmit to Reddit

RelatedPosts

Graphene Technology Could Give Us Predator Vision Contact Lenses
How to cook graphene using only soybean oil. Seriously, these scientists did it
Researchers develop scaffold implant that mimics the spinal cord
Adding lithium makes graphite both transparent and conductive. A great game changer for the industry

A team from Columbia Engineering researchers, led by Mechanical Engineering Professor James Hone and Electrical Engineering Professor Kenneth Shepard has managed to take advantage of graphene’s unique properties (it’s strength and electric conduction) to create a nano-mechanical system that can create FM signals – in other words, the world’s smallest radio.

graphene radio

“This work is significant in that it demonstrates an application of graphene that cannot be achieved using conventional materials,” Hone says. “And it’s an important first step in advancing wireless signal processing and designing ultrathin, efficient cell phones. Our devices are much smaller than any other sources of radio signals, and can be put on the same chip that’s used for data processing.”

Graphene, the world’s wonder material, is basically just a single atomic layer of carbon, is the strongest material known to man, and also has electrical properties superior to the silicon used to make the chips found in modern electronics. The combination of these two properties make it an extremely good candidate for nanoscale technologies – specifically, nanoelectromechanical systems (NEMS), which are scaled-down versions of the microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) used widely for sensing of vibration and acceleration. For example, MEMS in phones or tables sense how it is tilted or rotated and adjust the screen.

The team built a graphene NEMS whose frequency was about 100 megahertz, which lies right in the middle of the FM radio band (87.7 to 108 MHz). They used low-frequency musical signals (both pure tones and songs from an iPhone) to modulate the 100 MHz carrier signal from the graphene, and then received the musical signals again using an ordinary FM receiver. The results were thrilling.

“This device is by far the smallest system that can create such FM signals,” says Hone.

However, despite this remarkable result, it will take quite a while before we will see this kind of technology on the shelves. However, graphene-based products will inevitably pop up in the near future.

“There is a long way to go toward actual applications in this area,” notes Hone, “but this work is an important first step. We are excited to have demonstrated successfully how this wonder material can be used to achieve a practical technological advancement — something particularly rewarding to us as engineers.”

Tags: grapheneradio

ShareTweetShare
Mihai Andrei

Mihai Andrei

Dr. Andrei Mihai is a geophysicist and founder of ZME Science. He has a Ph.D. in geophysics and archaeology and has completed courses from prestigious universities (with programs ranging from climate and astronomy to chemistry and geology). He is passionate about making research more accessible to everyone and communicating news and features to a broad audience.

Related Posts

Chemistry

Scientists make diamonds from scratch in only 15 minutes

byTibi Puiu
12 months ago
The graphene tattoo patch that can treat cardiac arrhythmia.
Biology

This graphene tattoo shows promise as a treatment for cardiac arrhythmia

byRupendra Brahambhatt
2 years ago
Anatomy News

Researchers develop scaffold implant that mimics the spinal cord

byRupendra Brahambhatt
3 years ago
News

Our most sophisticated radio telescope found over 500 radio signals in the sky in a year

byAlexandru Micu
4 years ago

Recent news

This beautiful rock holds evidence of tsunamis from 115 million years ago

May 20, 2025

New Version of LSD Boosts Brain Plasticity Without the Psychedelic Trip

May 20, 2025

The World’s First Mass-Produced Flying Car Is Here and It Costs $1 Million

May 20, 2025
  • About
  • Advertise
  • Editorial Policy
  • Privacy Policy and Terms of Use
  • How we review products
  • Contact

© 2007-2025 ZME Science - Not exactly rocket science. All Rights Reserved.

No Result
View All Result
  • Science News
  • Environment
  • Health
  • Space
  • Future
  • Features
    • Natural Sciences
    • Physics
      • Matter and Energy
      • Quantum Mechanics
      • Thermodynamics
    • Chemistry
      • Periodic Table
      • Applied Chemistry
      • Materials
      • Physical Chemistry
    • Biology
      • Anatomy
      • Biochemistry
      • Ecology
      • Genetics
      • Microbiology
      • Plants and Fungi
    • Geology and Paleontology
      • Planet Earth
      • Earth Dynamics
      • Rocks and Minerals
      • Volcanoes
      • Dinosaurs
      • Fossils
    • Animals
      • Mammals
      • Birds
      • Fish
      • Amphibians
      • Reptiles
      • Invertebrates
      • Pets
      • Conservation
      • Animal facts
    • Climate and Weather
      • Climate change
      • Weather and atmosphere
    • Health
      • Drugs
      • Diseases and Conditions
      • Human Body
      • Mind and Brain
      • Food and Nutrition
      • Wellness
    • History and Humanities
      • Anthropology
      • Archaeology
      • History
      • Economics
      • People
      • Sociology
    • Space & Astronomy
      • The Solar System
      • Sun
      • The Moon
      • Planets
      • Asteroids, meteors & comets
      • Astronomy
      • Astrophysics
      • Cosmology
      • Exoplanets & Alien Life
      • Spaceflight and Exploration
    • Technology
      • Computer Science & IT
      • Engineering
      • Inventions
      • Sustainability
      • Renewable Energy
      • Green Living
    • Culture
    • Resources
  • Videos
  • Reviews
  • About Us
    • About
    • The Team
    • Advertise
    • Contribute
    • Editorial policy
    • Privacy Policy
    • Contact

© 2007-2025 ZME Science - Not exactly rocket science. All Rights Reserved.