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Graphene is famous for its exotic electrical properties. But researchers at the University of Manchester, UK, have exploited the mechanical properties of these atom-thick sheets of carbon to form tiny bubbles that could one day be useful as lenses.

Konstantin Novoselov and his colleagues created graphene 'blisters' on a silicon surface. These bubbles are regularly found in large graphene flakes placed on silicon and may arise from the trapping of contaminants or air between the two materials. By applying a voltage, the researchers could control the shape of the transparent bubble. They suggest that the shifting graphene bubble could make a simple, auto-focusing lens for use in small electronic cameras such as those in mobile phones and computers.

Appl. Phys. Lett. 99, 093103 (2011)