Graphene: Potential innovations underway for the medtech sector

Abstract 

Biomedical applications for graphene are attracting interest from academics and industrial partners that are aiming to develop next-generation medical devices and therapies. 
 
In this whitepaper, we will summarize the latest developments in the use of graphene for various biomedical applications, including drug delivery, cancer therapies, and biosensing, and discuss the opportunities and challenges in this emerging field. 

 
Brief Introduction of Graphene 

Although scientists have been able to discover some unique properties of graphene, its potential for the medical devices and biomedicine industry is yet to be proven; this is because related studies in this domain have only been experimental in nature. Graphene comprises a single layer of carbon and is one-atom thick; it is the strongest material in the world, completely flexible, and more conductive than copper. 

Discovered under a decade ago, the applications of this super material hold immense potential in the future.? Graphene is used for achieving faster phone charging times and water purification, and it is used in bionic devices implanted in living tissues that can be connected directly to neurons. All these applications are just hypothetical at this point, but can turn into reality sooner than expected. 

Today, the global graphene market is a $25 million industry, with about $ 9 million (36 percent) accounting for graphene composites. These composites have applications in several industries including aerospace, medical implants, and engineering materials. However, on the product front, the nanoplatelets segment accounts for more than 50 percent of all graphene products. These platelets, with high barrier and mechanical properties such as stiffness and surface hardness, can be used as thermal and electrical conductors in several applications.