Edison May Have Accidentally Created Graphene in 1879, New Research Suggests
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A groundbreaking study indicates that inventor Thomas Edison may have inadvertently produced graphene – a revolutionary material not officially synthesized until 125 years later – during his experiments with early light bulbs. The findings, published in the journal ACS Nano, highlight the potential for rediscovering hidden scientific breakthroughs within past research.
The “Wonder Material” and Its Unexpected Origins
Graphene, a single-atom-thick sheet of carbon, is renowned for its exceptional strength, versatility, and conductive properties. It holds immense promise for applications ranging from superconductors to advanced quantum technologies. While theorized in 1947 by Canadian physicist Philip Wallace, and successfully isolated in 2004 by Andre Geim and Konstantin Novoselov – an achievement that earned them the 2010 Nobel Prize in Physics – this new research suggests Edison may have stumbled upon it decades earlier.
The discovery itself was serendipitous.Researchers at Rice university were exploring the most efficient methods for producing graphene using a process called flash Joule heating – essentially, rapidly heating carbon-based materials to extremely high temperatures, exceeding 2,000 °C (3,632 °F).
Recreating Edison’s Experiment
“I was trying to figure out the smallest, easiest piece of equipment you could use for flash Joule heating, and I remembered that early light bulbs often used carbon-based filaments,” explains a materials scientist at Rice University. This observation sparked an investigation into whether Edison’s early light bulb experiments might have unintentionally created the material.
To test this hypothesis, the team sourced vintage-style light bulbs featuring carbon-rich bamboo filaments, mirroring those used by Edison. These bulbs were connected to a 110-volt DC power source and illuminated in short 20-second bursts.Subsequent microscopic analysis of the filaments revealed a striking conversion.
From Gray to Silver: Evidence of Graphene Formation
Under a microscope,the filaments exhibited a color change from gray to silver.Further spectroscopy confirmed the presence of graphene within the filament structure. However, the graphene produced was fleeting. Continued use of the bulb would quickly convert the material back into graphite, a more common form of carbon.
Despite its instability in this context, the finding is meaningful. Even if Edison had recognized his accidental creation, the technology of the time likely wouldn’t have allowed him to harness its potential. nevertheless, the research opens up exciting new avenues for historical scientific inquiry.
“Finding that he could have produced graphene inspires curiosity about what other information lies buried in historical experiments,” states a chemist at Rice University. “What questions would our scientific forefathers ask if they could join us in the lab today? What questions can we answer when we revisit their work through a modern lens?”
This research underscores the value of revisiting past experiments with current technology. The Rice University team, led by Luong Nguyen, demonstrated that Edison’s process, while not intentionally creating graphene for practical use, did produce it as a byproduct. Edison was attempting to create a durable, efficient light bulb filament, testing various carbon materials, including bamboo. The flash Joule heating effect, inherent in the rapid heating and cooling of the filament, facilitated the formation of graphene. The graphene, however, was unstable, quickly reverting to graphite due to the conditions within the bulb. The study was published in ACS Nano on November 29, 2023. The research team hopes this discovery will encourage further investigation into historical scientific data, potentially revealing other overlooked breakthroughs.
