Graphene: Status and Prospects

Expanding Flatland

Since its discovery and isolation some 5 years ago, research on graphene has exploded. The sheets of carbon atoms, just one atom thick, exhibit a vast array of properties—mechanical, optical, and electrical—that make it an ideal test bed to probe fundamental problems in physics, as well as lending itself to a wide portfolio of applications. Geim (p. 1530 ), the discoverer of this remarkable material, reviews recent advances and discusses what other developments may be in store for this material.