BUFFALO, N.Y. (AP) _ The University at Buffalo has received an $800,000 grant from the Navy to work on next-generation power technology.

The Office of Naval Research grant will fund UB engineers’ work on the development of narrow “nanoribbons” of the carbon-based material graphene. Since being isolated in 2004, scientists have been working to use graphene to improve things like solar cells and smartphone batteries.

UB says the project comes as the Navy seeks alternatives to conventional power control systems.

Graphene is the thinnest known material, is stronger than steel and conducts electricity far better than copper.