What makes graphene the 'wonder material'?

The answer

Graphene is a single layer of carbon atoms arranged in a hexagonal lattice - essentially a one-atom-thick sheet of graphite (pencil lead). Isolated in 2004 by Andre Geim and Konstantin Novoselov using Scotch tape (earning them the 2010 Nobel Prize), it is roughly 200 times stronger than steel by weight, conducts electricity better than copper, is nearly transparent, and is impermeable to gases. Potential applications include ultra-fast electronics, flexible displays, water filtration membranes, and dramatically improved batteries. The main challenge remains manufacturing it at scale and low cost.