Newfound Discovery of Graphene Challenging Laws of Physics

September 29, 2025 by Sophia Karrel (‘29)

What if there was a substance that could revolutionize energy storage, cancer treatment, food packaging and more? What if I told you this material has just been found and is already defying long established scientific laws? Recently, Graphene has shaken a fundamental law of physics, the Wiedemann Franz law. In a collaboration between researchers from the Indian Institute of Technology as well as researchers from Japan’s National Institute of Materials Science, scientists have identified a remarkable occurrence within the subatomic particles of Graphene. In specific conditions, Graphene’s electrons are not conforming to what’s expected by the Wiedemann Franz law and this has opened many new doors in the research community.

To begin to understand the material that is Graphene we must begin with its origin. While a substance like Graphene has been theorized since the mid-19th century, its definitive discovery and production is credited to Andre Geim and Konstantin Novoselov of the University of Manchester. Around 20 years ago on an unexpected Friday, the two professors utilized a roll of tape and a chunk of graphite to separate a single carbon layer from the main body. This became known as Graphene, characterized by the hexagonal structures the carbon atoms form. From then on, Graphene grew to become the thinnest and strongest material discovered thus far and its applications are endless. From batteries to health monitors, Graphene has been in your daily life, and you haven’t even realized it.

To comprehend the significance of this breakthrough, it’s also crucial to understand what physics’ fundamental Graphene has challenged. In simple terms, the 172-year-old Wiedemann Franz law explains and predicts how well a material will conduct electricity versus how it will conduct heat, and the role temperature plays in the relationship. It states that when a metal faces an increase in temperature, there will be a proportional increase in thermal and electrical conductivity. In this instance, conductivity is how much heat or electricity a substance allows to pass through it in a given amount of time.

So, with these two factors explained, how exactly did Graphene defy this law? Contrary to what the law expects, Graphene has illustrated an autonomous relation between electrical and thermal conductivity.  Specifically, when Graphene is cooled to its Dirac Point, where it is neither a conductor nor an insulator, electrical conductivity increases, while thermal conductivity decreases. This causes the electrons of the Graphene atoms to act as one mass moving in a fluid-like manner that is unusually perfect. Researchers have since dubbed this “Dirac Fluid” and its applications may be endless. This state of Graphene or Dirac Fluid is planned for research in theorized concepts of Black holes and other areas of astrophysics and high energy physics. Hopefully, Dirac Fluid will only lead to more revelations and breakthroughs but until then this remarkable discovery will be enough.

For more information on Graphene, click the links below!
Discovery of graphene – Graphene – The University of Manchester
Graphene just broke a fundamental law of physics | ScienceDaily
There Are 6 ‘Strongest Materials’ On Earth That Are Harder Than Diamonds
Graphene Properties, Synthesis and Applications: A Review – PMC
Wiedemann Franz Law | Electrical4U
5 applications for graphene, the ‘miracle material’