Graphene, the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), and Governance

Graphene is considered by many as a ‘Miracle Material’ and has real potential in achieving UN’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). However, there are risks associated with graphene that need to be considered. Therefore, to accentuate the benefits, and mitigate the risks, graphene needs to be governed effectively through strategies, that can make the most of this ‘Miracle Material’. To learn more about Graphene, there are a plethora of books that can be purchased here.

Graphene and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

Graphene is an emerging technology that is a one-atom-thick layer of carbon atoms, tightly bound in a hexagonal honeycomb lattice, and can be considered a two-dimensional nanomaterial. Layers of graphene stacked on top of each other form graphite, but graphene on its own is a remarkable substance with many amazing properties and applications, that has even been incorporated into commercial products, such as clothing and car coating.

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Graphene is extremely light and weighs a mere 0.0077 grams. However, it is very strong, and can support 14 million pounds per square inch, and is approximately 200 times stronger than steel. It is also highly elastic and flexible, has a high electrical conductivity, and can generate electricity by exposure to sunlight.

Graphene also has many areas of application in multiple industries, such as infrastructure, medicine, and energy. If graphene is applied correctly and responsibly in these areas and others, it has huge potential in helping society, and in particular helping achieve UN’s 17 SDGs.

UN’s 17 SDGs are 17 goals that were adopted by all United Nations Member States in 2015, and they provide a blueprint to reach global peace and prosperity for people and the planet, now and in the future. It is an urgent call for action, and graphene can be part of that action and help provide a solution to many of the goals.

What Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) can Graphene provide the most benefit for?

SDG 3

SDG 3 is to “ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all at all ages“, and graphene can contribute to this within the healthcare sector. An example of graphene being applied in healthcare, is graphene based biomedical sensors. Wearable graphene sensors, and implanted devices can realise real-time measurement of body temperature, heart rate, blood pressure, as well as electrocardiogram (ECG) signals, just to name a few. While also being able to detect diseases and viruses.

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Graphene sensors can be far more sensitive than other sensors, and this is due to every atom of graphene being exposed, as it is only one atom thick. Because of this, toxins for example, could be detected at levels 10 times less than today’s sensors. Along with that, these sensors could be placed on or under the skin and provide doctors and researchers with vast amounts of information. This could help solve the problem of many around the world not having access to adequate healthcare. Specifically with the use of graphene biomedical sensors.

SDG 11 and 13

SDG 11 is to “make cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient, and sustainable”, and SDG 13, is to “take urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts”. According to the World Health Organization, one out of every nine deaths can be attributed to diseases caused by air pollution, and is the primary environmental cause of death. This is therefore affecting cities and human settlements.

Graphene technologies can measure air pollution levels and can also aid in reducing air pollution levels. Multiple Graphene Flagship partners came together to create a low-cost and low-energy nitrogen dioxide sensor out of graphene, that can measure levels of gas in real-time, and can therefore help to visualise pollution in urban areas. This sensor harnesses graphene’s unique properties, and therefore has highly increased sensitivity, but no bulky lab equipment is required.

Other Graphene Flagship partners developed a ‘smog eating’ coating, that can be applied to buildings, and subsequently can remove harmful nitrogen oxides from the atmosphere. Graphene-titania is used, titania being the most common titanium compound, and when exposed to sunlight, it degrades nitrogen oxides. But, after being paired with graphene, the ability to degrade nitrogen oxide was significantly more powerful than bare titania and could be applied on many different materials.

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Therefore, graphene can be used as a potential solution for air pollution. It can achieve this by detecting where air pollution levels are highest and provide ways of absorbing it. Therefore, graphene can help make cities and human settlements safer and more sustainable, and help combat climate change.

SDG 6

SDG 6 is to “ensure availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all“. Globally, 771 million people don’t have clean water close to home. This proves that water scarcity is a huge problem, and graphene could be one solution for this.

For example, graphene can be used in water filters. Graphene is considered hydrophobic, meaning that it naturally repels water, however, when narrow pores are made in it, rapid water permeation is allowed. Therefore, graphene sheets (with miniature holes) can be used as a method of water filtration. These graphene sheet allow water molecules to pass but will block the passage of contaminants and substances. Researchers from Monash University and the University of Kentucky have put this into practice and have developed graphene filters that can filter out anything larger than one nanometre (0.000001 millimetres). Consequently, these graphene filters can filter out chemicals, viruses, or bacteria, and therefore be used to purify water.

These graphene water filters can be lightweight, energy-efficient, and environmentally friendly, due to graphene’s properties. And with its ability to potentially purify water, it can help in achieving SDG 6 and providing suitable drinking water for many more people, and result in a more sustainable planet.

What are the risks associated with Graphene?

It has been considered how graphene can aid in the fight towards a more sustainable future, by making the most of its ‘miracle material’ properties. However, graphene, and the application of it, has its risks that can adversely affect society and the environment.

Is Graphene implementation achievable?

Graphene implementation is definitely achievable, and this can be seen with its multiple applications in differing areas. However, simply put, graphene is very expensive, both in research, and development. It is also energy and resource intensive, and production of graphene is very slow.

There are companies that manufacture graphene and sell it for $60,000 to $200,000 per ton, but there are a limited number of uses that make sense at these high costs. For example, even though SDG 3 is a pertinent issue that would be worth the money spent on it, it sometimes isn’t possible. This is due to many of the worst cases of inadequate healthcare being in third world countries that would struggle to afford such an expensive material, and would look for cheaper alternatives.

Graphene production is also a very lengthy process. All of the 17 SDGs are current issues in our world today that need to be solved or at least minimised in the coming decade, however graphene can take years to be studied, developed and optimized. Therefore, some of the SDGs can’t wait for graphene to be available and may require alternatives for a sustainable future. This is a potential risk of graphene and needs to be considered when particular SDG planning is dependent on graphene.

Gaps in knowledge

Over the last few years, graphene has been intensely researched by many, but being an emerging technology means that there are still many gaps in the knowledge surrounding it. Some experts have suggested that “gaps in our knowledge (of graphene) need to be solved before finalising reliable standards for research and industry“. This should also be “complemented by the safety evaluation of other two-dimensional and layered nanomaterials“.

Relating back to SDG 3 and the use of graphene based biomedical sensors, there is inadequate evidence on the long-term accumulation effects of exposure to graphene. For example, there isn’t enough evidence to sufficiently define the exact toxicity levels of graphene-based nanomaterials to human skin and cells. Therefore, when graphene is used in healthcare and in other similar areas, relevant research must be conducted first, and only applied where there is minimal risk of harm to a patient or society.

Graphene and its Governance

For graphene to contribute to the SDGs, and for the risks to be mitigated, governance strategies must be considered. Technology governance can be defined as “the process of exercising political, economic and administrative authority in the development, diffusion and operation of technology in societies”. There are many technology governance strategies that can be used to reap the most benefits from graphene, while mitigating the risks, and technology assessment is one of the most suitable.

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Technology Assessment

Technology assessment simply put is developing knowledge to investigate and consider the full range of impacts and consequences of technological applications. As previously mentioned, there is definitely a gap in knowledge surrounding graphene, and this is where technology assessment can come into play.

Science and technology developments, such as graphene, have many implications; economic, societal, ethical, environmental, and many more. However, these implications may not be obvious at the early stages of development. As graphene is an emerging technology, many implications aren’t clear, and therefore early assessment of it must be completed, to inform decision-making and investment before it becomes costly to remedy.

An example of technology assessment is the Centre for Nanotechnology in Society – Arizona State University (CNS-ASU) which conducts real-time technology assessment, and aims to encourage reflexivity among research, and build capacity for anticipatory governance. Reflexivity is being reflective of underlying purposes of the technology, and this informs the available choices in decision making about nanotechnology, and graphene. Anticipatory governance is the application of strategic foresight, throughout the governance architecture, including analysis, and decision-making.

Key takeaways of Graphene, Sustainability, and Governance

In conclusion, the potential of graphene to address the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) is immense, spanning across various sectors. Through its remarkable properties and innovative applications, graphene stands as a promising tool in advancing global sustainability objectives. However, alongside its promises come significant risks and challenges that must be carefully navigated.

Graphene’s ability to contribute to SDGs such as ensuring healthy lives (SDG 3), sustainable cities (SDG 11), combating climate change (SDG 13), and providing clean water and sanitation (SDG 6) is evident. Through its applications in biomedical sensors, air pollution monitoring, and water filtration systems. These advancements hold the potential to revolutionize the way we address pressing global challenges, providing more efficient, cost-effective, and sustainable solutions.

Yet, the realization of graphene’s potential hinges on effective governance strategies. Technology governance, particularly through comprehensive technology assessment, is crucial in maximizing benefits while mitigating risks. Early assessment of graphene’s implications across economic, societal, ethical, and environmental domains is imperative to inform decision-making and investment.

As we strive towards a more sustainable future, it is essential to recognize the role of governance in guiding the responsible deployment of emerging technologies like graphene. By fostering collaboration, transparency, and accountability, we can harness the transformative potential of graphene while ensuring that its benefits are equitably distributed across societies. Let us respond to the imperative for action and work towards a future where innovation and sustainability go hand in hand, guided by principled governance and a commitment to realizing the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals.