Van der Waals materials

Van der Waals materials are composed of layers of atoms weakly bonded together through Van der Waals forces—tiny attractive forces between molecules. These materials, such as graphene, can be easily separated into individual sheets because the layers are loosely held. Despite the weak interlayer forces, each layer's atoms are strongly connected internally, giving the material unique properties like flexibility and high conductivity. These materials are important for advanced electronics, sensors, and other applications due to their tunable electrical, optical, and mechanical characteristics.