Graphene could key to China's self-made chips

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The rhetoric coming from the Trump administration may be targeting more than just matters of trade. Some say China's rising technology capabilities are an underlying issue. From semiconductors to microchips, Chinese scientists are constantly working to reduce reliance on American technology. One place to start could be replacing silicon with graphene.

A total of 16 companies brought their graphene projects to a roadshow competition in Qitaihe, a northeastern Chinese city whose graphene industry is booming. Zhang Shilong, a 29-year-old engineer, is one of them. By mixing flexible insulator with graphene, Zhang makes what he calls "magic fiber." He brought his magic fiber project to the roadshow.

A Graphene Innovation & Entrepreneurship Competition is being held in the city of Qitaihe, northeast China's Heilongjiang Province. The city has one of China’s largest graphene production capacities. /CGTN Photo

"At the moment, China's research and development on the use of graphene is leading the world. It could be our 'secret weapon' as we look to make gains in certain industries," said Zhang.

But Zhang's project just demonstrates graphene's basic capabilities. Experts say using it instead of silicon in building semiconductors and microchips will shorten processing time and enlarge storage.

"There are many possible third generation materials that can replace silicon. Graphene stands out among them all. But it will be difficult to put into effective use; it is like the crown jewel everyone is chasing after," said Li Yichun, secretary-general of the China Innovation Alliance of the Graphene Industry.

Graphene is just one atomic layer of graphite. Graphene can be made so thin and so light that one gram of graphene can flow to fill a three-liter jar after shaking. /CGTN Photo

Research shows that graphene's electron mobility under room temperature is ten times that of silicon yet consumes only half of the energy. In addition, China has a huge reserve of graphite – the raw material for making graphene, and it is also possible to make synthetic graphene.

It is estimated China can now produce about 3,000 tons of graphene a year. But in order to help mining cities become graphene powerhouses that can compete with international tech hubs like Silicon Valley in the US, graphene makers need to take on projects that fully realize the material's potential as "the next black gold."

"Experts say the 20th century was a century of silicon, and that this century will be one of carbon materials like graphene. But the application of graphene into micro-electronics and energy storage still needs to be realized. That is where graphene producers and researchers will need to collaborate and work together... to hopefully find a breakthrough,” Ma Qing, president of Baotailong New Materials, said.

The inside of Baotailong New Materials, a graphene manufacturing facility in the city of Qitaihe, northeast China's Heilongjiang Province. The factory can make up to 150 tonnes of graphene a year. /CGTN Photo

Mixing graphene with insular products can help control the material's conductivity, but semiconductor production may still be years away. Some scientists say it is necessary to break down graphene's fundamental structure – removing or adding new elements to make it more like silicon. But they also point out that before it all happens, Chinese makers need to be sure that they can produce quality graphene consistently.