Copper is the standard conductor for power and signal wiring, but its resistance rises with temperature and it oxidizes in harsh environments. With support from NASA, the NDML is developing copper–graphene composite conductors for high-voltage power transmission in space. The work pairs atomistic simulation and machine learning to design the composite with experiments that grow or transfer graphene onto thin copper films and foils, consolidate the layers under heat and pressure, and draw them into wire. Our simulations showed that compressive strain, rather than graphene doping alone, is what raises the conductivity of copper. Multilayer copper–graphene films showed a lower temperature coefficient of resistance, a 61% higher oxidation failure temperature and higher current-carrying capacity than pure copper, and graphene-coated foils have been drawn into wires.
The figure above shows the design and fabrication approach.