Investing in graphene

Graphene is the wonder material discovered in 2004 by Andre Geim and Konstantin Novoselov in a now infamous experiment using sticky tape and a graphite pencil. The two scientists, who were hoping to find a new material from which smaller and faster transistors could be made, went on to be awarded the Nobel Prize in 2010 for their outstanding work in the field.

As can be guessed from the first experiment, graphene is an allotrope of carbon, similar to graphite. It has a similar structure to graphite but exists as a single sheet of only one atom depth. Unlike graphite which comprises millions of graphene sheets held together by weak Van De Waals forces, graphene displays incredibly physical properties of strength as their are no weak forces within the structure. Graphene holds several records in the world of materials science, including those for the substance with the highest electron motility, the highest current density and for thermal conductivity. Without a doubt graphene exhibits such an extreme range of properties that it is set to redefine the landscape of design and technology. One anecdote about its strength that is often reported is that a single sheet of cling-film made of graphene would be so strong that an elephant sat on the top of a sharpened pencil would not exert enough force to break through. Such physical strength and flexibility is prompting designers to consider the material for the construction of strong and light aircraft and vehicles, saving companies and individuals millions of dollars in fuel costs and the environment in terms of pollution. Yet its green credentials do not end there; the electrical conductivity and the lack of band gap, mean that graphene can convert light to electricity as a super efficient solar panel.

With graphene expected to be the next revolutionary product, similar in its effect on the market as the discovery of the light bulb, the development of the railroads, and the design of the microchip, getting the most out of the graphene revolution is a question of entering the market early, choosing the correct stocks and waiting for the big rises to take place. The leading economist Norm Poire anticipates graphene and nanotech stocks to follow a typical pattern for market changing events. The first period of development is expected to last 28 years, of which we are approximately half way through, during which the share price of graphene stocks is set to accelerate, the following 56 years will show tremendous, above average growth, and the final stage of 28 years will show a slowing down to a stage where graphene stocks reflect large scale market conditions. Clearly, by entering the market at the earliest possible stage it is possible to maximise the profit potential. Choosing the correct stocks is all that remains to be considered.

The graphene boom can be entered from three strategic positions, firstly at the level of raw materials, secondly at the level of graphene production and thirdly at the level of product development. Each strategy has a whole range of benefits and pitfalls that are too far and wide to go into here; however several options have already been considered by a website dedicated to the subject of investing in graphene that would be well worth a visit.