Graphene has been expected to be the next big idea in electronics, medical, and many other fields for quite some time. The properties of graphene outpace that of traditional materials used today. However, mass-manufacturing the single-molecule-layers of graphite (yes, “pencil lead”) has proven difficult, complex, and costly. But new methods are being worked on…

Reported by Next Big Future, a new method of manufacturing graphene has been created by researchers at the University of Exeter. Roll-to-roll manufacturing, a manufacturing process that is still being developed for using with semiconductors, a variety of electronic devices can be printed on top of various ribbons or films of material then transferred onto reactive materials or bases. The researchers were used the experimental manufacturing technique to create a transparent graphene-oxide humidity sensor an expect that everything from biomedical sensors to touch-screens could be printed using the technique.