Nobel laureate Andre Geim spoke at the 2026 Sustainable Global Leaders Conference in Shanghai, held from October 20 to 22. Geim, who received the Nobel Prize in Physics in 2010, discussed the potential of two-dimensional materials for future electronics and sustainable innovation.
Geim is known for his 2004 discovery of single-layer graphene, which he isolated from graphite using a mechanical Scotch tape method. This achievement challenged the academic consensus that strictly two-dimensional atomic crystals could not remain stable under normal temperature and pressure conditions.
The researcher highlighted graphene's exceptional thermal conductivity and its potential for consumer applications. He noted that while the transition from laboratory research to commercial products takes time, he expects related technologies to become part of daily life within 15 years.
Geim cited graphene-modified asphalt as a practical application. Although this material increases costs by 30 percent, it doubles the durability of road surfaces, extending the interval between repairs from 5–7 years to 10–15 years. He also mentioned that various graphene products are already available on platforms like Alibaba.
