Graphene thermal conductivity - introduction and latest news
Graphene thermal conductivity
Thermal transport in graphene is a thriving area of research, thanks to graphene's extraordinary heat conductivity properties and its potential for use in thermal management applications.
The measured thermal conductivity of graphene is in the range 3000 - 5000 W/mK at room temperature, an exceptional figure compared with the thermal conductivity of pyrolytic graphite of approximately 2000 W/mK at room temperature. There are, however, other researches that estimate that this number is exaggerated, and that the in-plane thermal conductivity of graphene at room temperature is about 2000-4000 W/mK for freely suspended samples. This number is still among the highest of any known material.
Graphene is considered an excellent heat conductor, and several studies have found it to have unlimited potential for heat conduction based on the size of the sample, contradicting the law of thermal conduction (Fourier's law) in the micrometer scale. In both computer simulations and experiments, the researchers found that the larger the segment of graphene, the more heat it could transfer. Theoretically, graphene could absorb an unlimited amount of heat.
The thermal conductivity increases logarithmically, and researchers believe that this might be due to the stable bonding pattern as well as being a 2D material. As graphene is considerably more resistant to tearing than steel and is also lightweight and flexible, its conductivity could have some attractive real-world applications.
But what exactly is thermal conductivity?
Heat conduction (or thermal conduction) is the movement of heat from one object to another, that has a different temperature, through physical contact. Heat can be transferred in three ways: conduction, convection and radiation. Heat conduction is very common and can easily be found in our everyday activities - like warming a person,s hand on a hot-water bottle, and more. Heat flows from the object with the higher temperature to the colder one.
Thermal transfer takes place at the molecular level, when heat energy is absorbed by a surface and causes microscopic collisions of particles and movement of electrons within that body. In the process, they collide with each other and transfer the energy to their neighbor, a process that will go on as long as heat is being added.
The process of heat conduction mainly depends on the temperature gradient (the temperature difference between the bodies), the path length and the properties of the materials involved. Not all substances are good heat conductors - metals, for example, are considered good conductors as they quickly transfer heat, but materials like wood or paper are viewed as poor conductors of heat. Materials that are poor conductors of heat are referred to as insulators.
How can graphene,s exciting thermal conduction properties be put to use?
Some of the potential applications for graphene-enabled thermal management include electronics, which could greatly benefit from graphene's ability to dissipate heat and optimize electronic function. In micro- and nano-electronics, heat is often a limiting factor for smaller and more efficient components. Therefore, graphene and similar materials with exceptional thermal conductivity may hold an enormous potential for this kind of applications.
Graphene's heat conductivity can be used in many ways, including thermal interface materials (TIM), heat spreaders, thermal greases (thin layers usually between a heat source such as a microprocessor and a heat sink), graphene-based nanocomposites, and more.
Huawei showcases ice-cutting Mate X6 graphene cooling sheet at MWC25
Huawei's Mate X6 recently made an appearance at the MWC 2025, along with Mate XT, Watch D2, and the powerful Mate 70 series. While the device contains various features to attract consumers, it gained attention for its unique graphene-based cooling system.
A cooling system or vapor chamber cooling is a thermal management system that uses evaporation and condensation to dissipate heat from a phone’s components. It prevents overheating, improves performance, and boosts battery life. But Huawei has implemented the next-level cooling innovation into Mate X6 by using graphene sheets. The company showcased how the foldable phone’s graphene sheet easily slices ice cubes into pieces without putting any extra effort or force on it.
AI-controlled 3D printer cooks food using graphene
Researchers at the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology have used graphene to develop a new 3D printer that can make food layer by layer as it prints, using artificial intelligence (AI) to design complex edible structures. This integrated system combines precision infrared heating with AI-driven design tools to address key limitations in automated food production: maintaining food safety during printing and creating intricate shapes without requiring technical expertise.
a). The step-by-step food 3D food fabrication process of the printing and in-line cooking device. b). Design features of the integrative 3D food printer. c) The print head unit has an extrusion tubing inlet, extrusion nozzle, and heater holder. d) The external shell of the infrared heater has a cone-shaped design to converge heat transmission to the targeted printing area. e) The schematic diagram of the fabrication of the LIG infrared heater. Image from: Advanced Materials
Automated food production faces unique challenges compared to manufacturing with traditional materials like plastics or metals. Food must be heated properly to ensure safety, yet maintaining the intended shape during cooking proves difficult. Current 3D food printers operate in two separate steps - first printing cold food paste, then transferring it to an oven or fryer. This approach often leads to deformed shapes and increased contamination risks as the food moves between machines. The new system integrates these steps using a specialized infrared heater made from laser-induced graphene (LIG). This ultra-thin heating element provides precise temperature control, with printed food layers reaching 137°C on the surface and maintaining at least 105°C on the sides throughout the printing process, while using just 14 watts of power - a fraction of the 1000-2000 watts consumed by conventional ovens and air fryers.
Graphmatech and Filalab launch new graphene filament for 3D printing
Swedish material developer Graphmatech and Lithuanian filament manufacturer Filalab UAB recently introduced a new filament called C-PETG. The graphene-enriched material is described as one of the fastest ESD-safe polymer solutions on the market. Developed for the requirements of modern electronics manufacturing, it enables printing speeds of up to 120 mm/s and reliably protects sensitive components from static electricity.
It was stated that C-PETG can print 20% to 120% faster than conventional ESD polymer filaments, which can significantly reduce production time. In addition to speed, the filament is designed to protect sensitive electronic components by effectively dissipating static electricity.
Will Apple's iPhone 17 lineup use graphene cooling tech?
Various reports suggest that the entire iPhone 17 lineup, including the iPhone 17, iPhone 17 Air, iPhone 17 Pro, and iPhone 17 Pro Max, will use a heat dissipation technology called "vapor chamber (VC) cooling system". It is not quite clear, however, which of these models will use combined VC technology and graphene sheets, and which will use only one of these thermal management technologies.
As the iPhone 15 Pro is known to face overheating issues, Apple turned to using graphene sheets in the thermal system when launching the iPhone 16 Pro. To further enhance the cooling mechanism, iPhone 17 models may also adopt vapor chamber technology.
SmartIR’s graphene-based radiator launches on SpaceX Falcon 9
SmartIR, a University of Manchester spinout, has announced that graphene-based adaptive radiator has launched aboard SpaceX’s Falcon 9 Transporter-12 as part of Mission 2, a collaboration with Hydra Space and Alba Orbital.
This mission addresses a critical challenge in the space sector: the need for cost-effective thermal management solutions. Current low-orbit satellites often rely on heaters, which increase power consumption, while long-orbit satellites utilize heavy and bulky systems such as thermal louvres. SmartIR’s graphene-based radiator offers a solution to this problem, enabling satellites to flexibly manage thermal energy. The technology fully vents heat from all surfaces when in Earth’s shadow and selectively shields only the side exposed to the sun during orbit.
New graphene-based laser lift-off process enables ultrathin flexible displays
Researchers from Seoul National University of Science and Technology, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology and Korea Institute of Machinery and Materials recently reported a graphene-based laser lift-off technique that prevents damage while separating ultrathin OLED displays. This advancement could open the door towards ultra-thin, stretchable devices that fit comfortably against human skin, revolutionizing wearable device technology.
a) Graphene-enabled laser lift-off (GLLO) process. b) Conventional laser lift-off (LLO) process. Image from: Nature Communications
Polyimide (PI) films are widely used in these applications due to their excellent thermal stability and mechanical flexibility. They are crucial for emerging technologies like rollable displays, wearable sensors, and implantable photonic devices. However, when the thickness of these films is reduced below 5 μm, traditional laser lift-off (LLO) techniques often fail. Mechanical deformation, wrinkling, and leftover residues frequently compromise the quality and functionality of ultrathin devices, making the process inefficient and costly.
Researchers develop graphene composite materials for efficient thermal management of Li-ion batteries
Researchers from China's Zhejiang University have developed a new thermal management system to prevent thermal runaway of Li-ion battery (LIB) cells, using hyperbolic graphene phase change composites. This addresses the safety concerns of LIB cells, mainly caused by thermal runaway. While phase change material systems already exist, the unresolved trade-off between high power and energy density greatly limits its practical applications.
The newly developed thermal management system relies on a composite material that consists of hyperbolic graphene framework and paraffin, and reportedly exhibits an impressive thermal conductivity of ∼30.75 W/mK at 12.5 wt% graphene loading and ultrahigh retention (90%) of latent heat, beyond that of most of the reported phase change composites.
Haydale announces steps to improve financial position, including disposal of Korean subsidiary
Haydale Graphene Industries has announced that it has completed a comprehensive business review and unveiled a strategy aimed at achieving near-term profitability while focusing on high-growth opportunities. Haydale said the review, initiated by a reconstituted board following the company's £3.1m funding raise in October, identified key areas for improvement, operational streamlining, and resource reallocation.
Haydale has reportedly decided to focus on two core business lines - heating ink-based energy efficiency products, and carbon capture technology.
Graphene Manufacturing Group demonstrates improved heat sink performance with THERMAL-XR
In a recent PR, Graphene Manufacturing Group (GMG) shared that it continues to advance the commercialization of its THERMAL-XR coating system with the product being tested with companies in multiple industries, including on heat sinks for electronics.
Third-party modelling indicates that applying THERMAL-XR to heat sinks can reduce their size by up to 39% while maintaining the same thermal performance, the company highlighted. This reduction could lead to savings in weight and material costs. The technology also lowers the maximum temperature of heat sinks by 23%, improving their efficiency.
Researchers develop a new process for laser-induced graphene smart textile that could improve space gear
Researchers from the Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST), Korea Institute of Machinery & Materials and Seoul National University of Science and Technology (SEOULTECH) have shown that laser-induced graphene (LIG), patterned with femtosecond laser pulses, can serve as a versatile material for temperature/strain sensing, stray light absorption, and heat management for smart spacesuits and telescopes.
Direct laser writing of laser-induced graphene (LIG). Image from: Advanced Functional Materials
The team has developed a manufacturing technique that addresses the challenges posed by the harsh conditions that space equipment must function in. The scientists' new process uses precisely controlled laser pulses to transform a Kevlar's surface into a porous graphene structure, effectively converting ordinary Kevlar fabric into a multifunctional material.
