Have you heard about graphene? This is one of the new wonder materials that has had scientists and researchers abuzz since 2003.

Graphene is a version of graphite - yes, the stuff in pencil lead. However, graphene is only a single atom thick and comes in sheets. In that form, it has more uses that I have space to mention, but I'll give you some highlights.

Graphene conducts electricity like a superconductor and it's incredibly strong for its weight. It could replace silicon in computer chips because it will run up to one hundred times faster, but use less electricity and take up less space.

Because it's only a single atom thick, graphene is transparent, making it perfect for electronic components in touch screens and electronic displays. It will even bend, so foldable smartphones could be the future.

Thanks to graphene's thermal conductivity, it could be used in transparent solar cells. Imagine every window of your house generating electricity. At the other end of the electricity chain, it could make light, flexible batteries far more powerful than anything today.

Graphene allows water vapor to pass through, but no other substances. That makes it perfect for creating alternative fuels and distilling alcohol. In the medical field, this property could be used to diagnose diseases and sequence DNA.

I could go on about puncture-proof tires, wearable electronics and so much more, but I think you get the idea. The question, then is when any of these things will hit the shelves.

There are a few graphene products available, namely tennis racquets and an upcoming LED light bulb. However, it's actually hard to mass produce so far, which means that most of its uses are only found in labs.

The National Graphene Institute at Manchester University, with funding from the British government, is working on ways to take graphene mainstream. It is assembling scientists from around the world to work on the problem.

The scientists there are hoping Manchester will becoming "Graphene City," similar to the tech industry's Silicon Valley. Their research facility is top rate with clean rooms, magnetic isolation rooms, and an entire separate floor with storage for 20 types of gases. The gas is kept separate in case something blows up; yes, this is cutting-edge research where anything can happen.

If you can't tell, I'm excited about where graphene could take us in the future. Let me know what you think in the comments.