Russians receive Physics prize for material “stronger than steel

05/10/10 17:06 CET

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Two Russian scientists have won the Nobel Prize for Physics.

Konstantin Novoselov and Andre Geim have developed a new form of carbon called graphene.

The strong thin material is transparent and can conduct electricity.

The scientists, based at the University of Manchester in the UK, extracted the material from graphite found in pencils.

Professor Bjorn Jonsson said the material is “a hundred times stronger than steel. One can stretch it up to 20 percent.”

He remarked graphene also “has a lot of other interesting properties that can be used in different applications.”

The Nobel committee felt the new material was suitable for producing touch screens, light panels and solar cells.

Graphene could also be used as a replacement for silicon in computers, creating faster, more efficient machines.

More about: Nobel Prize, Physics, Sweden

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Mali: Rebel groups agree to creation of Islamic state

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