Andrew Geim explains why Graphene is not patented

In an interview from 2010 Andre Geim mentions why Graphene isn't patented.

We considered patenting; we prepared a patent and it was nearly filed. Then I had an interaction with a big, multinational electronics company. I approached a guy at a conference and said, "We've got this patent coming up, would you be interested in sponsoring it over the years?" It's quite expensive to keep a patent alive for 20 years. The guy told me, "We are looking at graphene, and it might have a future in the long term. If after ten years we find it's really as good as it promises, we will put a hundred patent lawyers on it to write a hundred patents a day, and you will spend the rest of your life, and the gross domestic product of your little island, suing us." That's a direct quote.

I considered this arrogant comment, and I realized how useful it was. There was no point in patenting graphene at that stage. You need to be specific: you need to have a specific application and an industrial partner. Unfortunately, in many countries, including this one, people think that applying for a patent is an achievement. In my case it would have been a waste of taxpayers' money.

Long term the lack of a patent will only help to encourage innovation with Graphene, and will allow companies to find currently unimaginable uses.

Graphene traps light

Scientists can now control light at nanoscale with graphene. Which means we will have better nano-sensors.

Scientists control light at a nanoscale with graphene

Worldwide graphene production made possible

The material can now be manufactured almost anywhere. Graphene was discovered initially by peeling off a layer from graphite.

This one is basically taking graphite, sticking it to water, blowing some air on it to produce flakes and those flakes can then be used to create graphene coating.

You can find the full article here on EurekAlert.com

Filtering sea water can be made efficient with graphene

Graphene could be better than the most desalination techniques. It works like pushing sea water through a membrane. You will have water on one side and salt on the other. Looks great so far.

The simulations identified an intermediate range of nanopore diameters where the nanopores were large enough to allow the passage of water molecules but small enough to restrict salt ions.

Guys from MIT made a really nice video that shows the tech in user friendly detail.

New graphene battery charging in 10 minutes

Innovation in graphene space will allow for a new battery charging in 10 minutes. It has been recognized as one of the top innovations today.