A new method in creating graphene has now been found by the manufacturer and a university.
The scientists at Samsung have now announced tremendous technology news in that they have come up with a new way of developing graphene, which is a silicon alternative that is only one atom thick and that could change the way the wearables industry develops now that it can be manufactured on a commercial scale.
This is an achievement that the industry has been seeking to achieve for a decade.
The Samsung scientists made their achievement as a part of a partnership with Sungkyunkwan University. This new method that has been discovered could completely reshape the wearables industry – quite literally, as it brings flexibility in a material that is still more conductive than silicon. Now it could provide flexible and very strong touchscreens, among other uses.
That said, the research isn’t quite ready for wearables and mobile gadgets, just yet.
While this is a breakthrough, the discovery is not yet to the point that it is ready to hit the manufacturing plants. The research is still in its early stages and there are still limitations to the size of the graphene particles that can be created through the current techniques. Currently the sole method of synthesizing a usable amount of graphene is to bring a number of its crystals together. But in that form it reduces its ability to conduct electricity.
Silicon is used in today’s semiconductors, but graphene can conduct more heat and electrical charge. Equally, graphene is a substance that has greater strength than steel but is still flexible. This would be the perfect option for the wearable technology industry if it could be produced on a commercial scale. In Samsung’s own words, it is the “perfect material for use in flexible displays, wearables and other next generation electronic devices.”
Two men in Manchester, England, Sir Kostya Novoselov and Sir Andre Geim first isolated graphene in 2004 and received the Nobel prize for doing it. It is unlikely that they had any idea that the wearables industry would reach the point that it has today and that their discovery could one day prove to revolutionize its shape and nature.
Square has announced its support for Bitcoin payments through the Square Market platform
Last week, the U.S. Internal Revenue Service classified Bitcoin as a property subject to tax regulation. This sent ripples through the Bitcoin community, largely due to the fact that the digital currency has existed without any significant regulation for the majority of its existence. Now, popular payments processor Square has announced that merchants using its Square Market platform will be able to accept Bitcoin payments. Square is currently only of the most prolific organizations in the mobile commerce space and one of the few that has shown any serious support for Bitcoin.
Fees on Bitcoin payments through the Square Market have not yet been announced
Using the Square Market, a merchant can list items on their websites and pay Square a 2.75% fee on every sale. Square has not yet announced whether or not any kind of fee will be tied to sales made using Bitcoin. Embracing Bitcoin may make Square significantly more popular among the digital currency’s legion of supporters. This popularity is also likely to extend to retailers accepting Bitcoin payments through the Square market.
Square continues to show dominance in the mobile commerce space through its powerful partnerships
In 2013, Square processed more than $20 billion in mobile payments. The company has established a strong foothold in the mobile commerce space through its partnerships with companies like Starbucks that have a strong interest in engaging mobile consumers. As people become more mobile-centric, they are beginning to use their smartphones to shop for and purchase products more regularly. Many of those participating in the mobile commerce space have shown interest in Bitcoin and other types of digital currency.
Accepting Bitcoin may have a positive impact on Square’s forthcoming IPO
Square has plans to launch an initial public offering (IPO) within the coming months. The Square Market is currently valued at over $5 billion ahead of this IPO and its acceptance of Bitcoin may have a positive impact on that valuation. Bitcoin does have detractors, however, many of whom criticize the unregulated nature of the digital currency and its attraction to hackers.