Lasers Optimize Graphene Microbubble Generation Process

Researchers from five institutions collaborated to develop a method to generate precisely controlled graphene microbubbles on a glass surface using laser pulses. Microbubbles, with applications in pharmaceuticals (drug delivery), biofilm control, water treatment, and beyond, are traditionally unstable structures. The new, laser-reliant method produced well-controlled and stable microbubbles using a technique compatible with existing processing technologies. The researchers used a graphene film enriched with oxygen functional groups and, because gases are unable to penetrate through graphene oxide materials, laser light to locally irradiate the film to generate gases. The gases encapsulate inside the film to form microbubbles,...