Graphene is known to be a special, two-dimensional form of carbon, has the form of plates one atom thick. Massachusetts Institute Technology (MIT) Scientists noticed that graphene has a photoelectric properties, however, until recently, its nature was not very clear.
In the experiments conducted by a team of scientists led by MIT physics professor Leonid Levitov , with the assistance of their colleagues at the Japan National Institute for Materials Science, has learned some new details about the properties of graphene. It turns out that exposure to sunlight or laser light, are formed in areas with different temperatures. Due to differences in temperature electricity is produced .
Previously, these properties of differential heating can be observed either at very low temperatures, or under the destructive influence of a powerful laser. In the case of graphene, this effect is achievable at room temperature in a wide range of radiation, including infrared. This phenomenon may provide a base for more efficient production technology of solar cells, photodetectors, or hypersensitivity.