3D printed graphene aerogel granted Guinness World Record

Graphene, which is a form of carbon, is known for its properties of strength and lightness, especially when used as a 3D printing material. Taking this lightness and strength further, three engineers decided to print the graphene with aerogel, creating what is now considered to be the lightest 3D printed structure by the Guinness Book of World Records

Aerogel is a gel-like material, which consists of the liquid component being replaced by gas. Thanks to its thermal insulation properties, this material is considered to be a very solid, low density, and advantageous material. In regards to graphene, it is 10 times stronger than steel, so it is therefore easy to imagine that a graphene aerogel combination l make it even more strong. As proof, when 3D printed, it could be placed on the petals of a flower or a piece of cotton without falling.

Other researchers had already succeeded in printing using graphene aerogel, but it was in a cylindrical or cubic form, thus reducing the possibilities of handling. But three Chinese professors, Chi Zhou, Dong Lin and Qiangqiang Zhang managed to create it in another form; with a structure that weighs only 0.5 milligrams per cubic centimeter.