‘New research on graphene technology to diversify economy’

Paul Chukwuma Ani, a PhD candidate in Chemical Engineering at Missouri University of Science and Technology, is pioneering groundbreaking research on graphene, with plans to bring this revolutionary material to Nigeria.

His research centers on graphene, a single layer of carbon atoms arranged in a hexagonal lattice, renowned for its remarkable strength (200 times stronger than steel), exceptional electrical conductivity, thermal properties, flexibility, and transparency.

Ani’s goal is to leverage graphene’s unique attributes for real-world applications, potentially transforming industries in Nigeria and beyond.

The commercialisation of graphene in Nigeria could position the country as a leader in advanced materials technology in Africa.

This initiative has the potential to diversify Nigeria’s economy away from its reliance on oil and gas, generate high-skilled jobs in technology, attract foreign investment, and foster local innovation.Graphene has widespread global significance, with applications spanning electronics, energy storage which could address Nigeria’s power challenges, water treatment, and medical fields.

Ani, while quoting the Markets and Markets Research Pvt Ltd, noted that the global graphene market is projected to grow from USD 620 million in 2020 to USD 1.479 billion by 2025, driven by the material’s exceptional properties and increasing demand in sectors like electronics, automotive, and aerospace.

However, in Nigeria, progress in nanotechnology, including graphene research, he noted that it  has been slowed by inadequate funding, lack of coordination, and the absence of a national policy.

He said despite some advancements, Nigeria lags behind countries like South Africa in research output and patent activity.Nonetheless, Nigeria stands to benefit from global advancements in graphene technology. With its large economy and enterprising spirit, the country has the potential to develop graphene applications.

Collaborating with international research organizations and investing in infrastructure could enhance Nigeria’s capabilities in this emerging field.

Ani’s research and his vision for commercializsing graphene in Nigeria mark a crucial step toward the country’s technological progress. As the world explores graphene’s vast possibilities, Nigeria’s active involvement could not only drive domestic growth but also contribute to global innovation in materials science.

“The global importance of graphene spans across numerous industries, just to mention few: Electronic; energy storage technologies that will be beneficial to the crippling power outage situations in Nigeria, water Treatment technology and medicine and biomedical applications.

“Markets and Markets Research Pvt Ltd, a global research institute, projects that the global graphene market is experiencing significant growth, driven by increasing demand in various industries such as electronics, automotive, and aerospace.

“The market size is projected to grow from USD 620 million in 2020 to USD 1,479 million by 2025, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 19%. This growth is fueled by the material’s exceptional properties and its potential applications across multiple sectors.

“In Nigeria, the progress of nanotechnology, including graphene, has been hindered by uncertainties, inadequate funding, and a lack of effective coordination. While there have been some advancements in nanotechnology research, Nigeria still falls behind other African countries like South Africa in research output and patent registrations.

“The lack of a national policy and dedicated funding for nanotechnology further restricts its commercialization potential in the country.

“Despite these challenges, Nigeria stands to gain from the global advancements in graphene technology. With its sizable economy and “can – do” attitude, the country has a solid foundation for developing graphene applications.“By fostering collaborations with international research organizations and investing in infrastructure, Nigeria could significantly boost its capabilities in this emerging field”, he said.

https://thenationonlineng.net/new-research-on-graphene-technology-to-diversify-economy/