Graphene, the thinnest material in the universe, is a material with transformative potential that has application in multiple industries. The 2010 Nobel Prize for Physics was awarded to the University of Manchester’s Andre Geim and Konstantin Novoselov for their ground-breaking work in the field. Graphene can be visualized as a hexagonal lattice of carbon atoms in a honeycomb-like structure. Layers of graphene are stacked on top of each other to form graphite, which has an interplanar spacing of 3.35 Å. Graphene’s crystalline structure gives it unique optical, thermal, mechanical and electrical properties.
 
Graphene nanoplatelets – microscopic pieces of graphene forming low-density black powder – are amongst the useful real-world applications of graphene. Graphene nanoplatelets are a very promising material and can be employed as a reinforcement agent in polymer composite materials. Adding less than 1% of GNP to a polymer makes the polymer significantly tougher. One of the most effective ways of harnessing the potential of graphene is to combine it with other reinforcement additives such as high-performance fibers and to use this combination to create novel composite materials.xagonal lattice of carbon atoms in a honeycomb-like structure. Layers of graphene are stacked on top of each other to form graphite, which has an interplanar spacing of 3.35 Å. Graphene's crystalline structure gives it unique optical, thermal, mechanical and electrical properties.