Graphene for flexible and wearable device applications

A simple mechanical exfoliation of bulk graphite can guarantee the formation of a high-quality, stable 2D carbon-based van der Waals allotrope (graphene). Thus, the industrial-level production of graphene has been intensively exploited using various fabrication methods, including cold-temperature, solution-based drop-and-cast process; ultrahigh vacuum chemical vapor deposition; and the role-to-role-type mass production. Given such industrial maturation in preparing high-fidelity graphene, the industry naturally finds its highest motivated applications in the areas of outstanding optical, electronic, and mechanical properties necessary for designing electronic components spanning from bendable/flexible objects such as light-emitting diodes, detectors, and photovoltaics to user-friendly, high-end wearable objects such as physical sensors, biosensors, and energy storage/harvesters. The details of these flexible/wearable applications will be selectively discussed in this paper. (C) 2017 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.