Nanocomposite material, useful to produce electronic device and/or structural material, comprises a substrate, optionally functionalized graphene, optional adhesive component to adhere graphene to substrate and an optional protective layer

NOVELTY - Nanocomposite material comprises: either a substrate, optionally functionalized graphene, an optional adhesive component for adhering the optionally functionalized graphene to the substrate and an optional protective layer to cover the optionally functionalized graphene; or optionally functionalized graphene dispersed in a liquid carrier, where the liquid carrier once applied to a surface is able to form a film to coat the surface. USE - The nanocomposite material is useful for the production of an electronic device and/or structural material (claimed), where the electronic device includes a sensor (e.g. strain sensor), electrodes, a field emitter device, high strength composites and storage structures of hydrogen, lithium and other metals e.g. fuel cell, optical devices and transducers, and the structural material includes building materials (e.g. steels or concrete lintels) and parts of existing structures such as bridges, buildings, aircrafts or other large structures. The nanocomposite material is useful as nanocomposite product including automotive panels, aerospace composites, defence applications (e.g. armour) and civil structures (e.g. bridge components and paints). ADVANTAGE - The nanocomposite material has improved properties such as fracture properties, increased modulus, increased strength and increased toughness and minimized residual strains. The nanocomposite exhibits semiconductive electrical properties. DETAILED DESCRIPTION - INDEPENDENT CLAIMS are included for:(1) preparing a graphene polymer composite comprising (a) mechanically cleaving graphite, (b) providing a layer or layers of graphene and either (c) providing a substrate of polymeric material, and depositing the layers of graphene obtained from the graphite onto the polymeric substrate, where the graphene is not chemically treated prior to deposition on the polymer substrate or (d) admixing the cleaved graphene with a liquid formulation to produce a dispersion of graphene;(2) determining one of more physical properties of a graphene or functionalized graphene monolayer in the nanocomposite comprising providing a graphene or functionalized graphene nanocomposite, subjecting the nanocomposite to Raman spectroscopy and analyzing the data recorded;(3) remote monitoring of the state of a nanocomposite by Raman measurements on graphene or functionalized graphene inclusions within the nanocomposite;(4) determining the residual strain imparted to a plastic product during its manufacture comprising adding graphene or functionalized graphene to the plastic material to form a nanocomposite material, subjecting the plastic material to one or more manufacturing steps, subjecting the plastic material to Raman spectroscopy and analyzing the data recorded; and(5) a method of improving the mechanical properties of the nanocomposite material comprising strain hardening the nanocomposite material.