YoungDreamer
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I am wondering if the properties of graphene could have implications for solar sails.
I don't know much about graphene but I do know that it is only an atom thick and very very strong and theoretically can be made of infinite size.
Are there any problems that graphene would face in terms of radiation or extreme temperatures, or any other properties of space that would interact with graphene in a negative way that would render it useless as a sail?
And since graphite is a dark color I assume graphene would be dark as well. If I am not mistaken this is a result of the amount of light that it absorbs, so my question about that aspect of it is, in a vacuum could graphene absorb photons and turn their kenetic energy into momentum?
And finally if the absorption of light isn't the best way to make it work, is there a better way, or is there just a better material altogether?
I don't know much about graphene but I do know that it is only an atom thick and very very strong and theoretically can be made of infinite size.
Are there any problems that graphene would face in terms of radiation or extreme temperatures, or any other properties of space that would interact with graphene in a negative way that would render it useless as a sail?
And since graphite is a dark color I assume graphene would be dark as well. If I am not mistaken this is a result of the amount of light that it absorbs, so my question about that aspect of it is, in a vacuum could graphene absorb photons and turn their kenetic energy into momentum?
And finally if the absorption of light isn't the best way to make it work, is there a better way, or is there just a better material altogether?