There has long been a challenge in the field of traditional metal materials: it is difficult to achieve both high strength and high conductivity. For example, increasing the strength of copper usually requires the addition of alloying elements, but this can significantly reduce its conductivity, leading to a decrease in power transmission efficiency. However, with the breakthrough of graphene technology, a new type of composite material called "super copper" has emerged, successfully breaking this curse and demonstrating enormous application potential in fields such as energy, transportation, and electronics.

1、 The scientific principle of super copper: the "perfect marriage" of graphene and copper

Super copper (also known as graphene copper based composite material) is a new type of material with copper as the matrix and graphene as the reinforcing phase. The core breakthrough lies in the "strong combination" of performance achieved through the composite of graphene's two-dimensional honeycomb structure and copper:

Advantages of graphene: Single layer graphene has a conductivity more than 10 times higher than copper, a carrier mobility of up to 15000 cm ?/(V · s), and ultra-high strength (theoretical strength is 200 times that of steel).

Advantages of copper: Copper itself is the preferred material for power transmission, with conductivity second only to silver, but with lower cost and better ductility.

By using CVD (chemical vapor deposition) and other processes, graphene and copper form a layered stacked structure, which not only retains the high conductivity of copper, but also significantly improves the material strength with the mechanical properties of graphene, ultimately achieving a breakthrough in conductivity 10% higher than silver and strength far exceeding traditional copper alloys.

2、 Application scenario: Show off your skills in multiple fields

1. In the field of electricity and new energy

Efficient motors and transformers: Super copper can reduce motor copper consumption by 12.33%. If 10% of motors in the country use this material, the annual power savings can reach 18 billion kWh, equivalent to the annual power generation of Gezhouba Power Station. In the drive motor of new energy vehicles, its application can improve energy efficiency and extend range.

Transmission and distribution system: Traditional power transmission losses can reach up to 5% -8%, while the high conductivity of super copper can significantly reduce energy losses during the transmission and distribution process, helping to achieve the "dual carbon" goal.

2. Rail Transit and Aerospace

High speed rail contact wires, aerospace wires, and other scenarios require extremely high material strength and conductivity. The fatigue resistance and corrosion resistance of super copper make it an ideal choice and have been tested and applied in rail transit equipment of enterprises such as CRRC.

3. Electronics and Communication

Chips and 5G technology: The high conductivity of super copper can improve the performance of chip epitaxial connection lines and reduce signal delay; Its electromagnetic shielding characteristics are also applicable to 5G antenna design.

Superconducting material substitution: In some low-temperature scenarios, super copper can replace expensive superconducting materials and lower the technological threshold.

4. High end manufacturing and national defense

In nuclear power plant control systems and ship power systems, the high stability and radiation resistance of super copper can enhance safety redundancy.

3、 Preparation Technology: From Laboratory to Industrialization

The preparation of super copper is mainly divided into two categories:

1. Graphene/copper composite powder method: including molecular mixing, electrochemical deposition and other technologies, suitable for large-scale production;

2. Graphene/bulk copper composite method: processes such as CVD deposition and hot pressing can precisely control the material structure.

At present, enterprises such as CRRC and Changzhou Sixth Element have achieved small-scale production and demonstrated the feasibility of mass production through pilot tests. Research institutions such as Shanghai Jiao Tong University and the Ningbo Institute of Materials Science and Technology of the Chinese Academy of Sciences are also continuously optimizing their processes to promote cost reduction.

4、 Future Outlook: The 'New Engine' of the Materials Revolution

With policy support (such as the "Guiding Catalogue for Key Development of Frontier Materials Industrialization" issued by the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology) and technological iteration, super copper is expected to achieve breakthroughs in the following directions:

Low cost mass production: optimizing graphene dispersion process to reduce production costs;

Multi functional extension: Developing composite materials by combining thermal conductivity, corrosion resistance, and other characteristics;

Standard system establishment: Develop industry standards to accelerate market application.

It is predicted that in the next five years, super copper will enter a rapid industrialization stage, with a market size of tens of billions of yuan, becoming a "dark horse" in the field of new materials.

conclusion

The birth of super copper is not only a major breakthrough in materials science, but also a crucial step for humanity to move towards an efficient and low-carbon future. From the 'laboratory miracle' to the 'industrial revolution', it is reshaping multiple industries with disruptive performance, becoming an indispensable 'material cornerstone' in the strategy of building a technological powerhouse.