The Graphene-Info newsletter (July 15, 2022)

Graphenea, Lantania (an international group that builds large transport, water and energy infrastructures) and the Polytechnic University of Madrid (UPM) recently developed a graphene-enhanced additive that enhances the expected useful life of concrete by 50%, as well as its resistance to adverse environmental conditions and its mechanical behavior. After verifying its effectiveness in the laboratory, the new additive was tested on a non-structural element of the Almudévar Reservoir construction project.

The test was conducted by adding an improved graphene admixture to concrete with a 30 MPa compressive strength. Its overall efficacy was evaluated during mixing in the concrete plant, when still fresh and through noting the effects on the concrete during transport and placement. Mechanical behavior and durability tests in aggressive environments were then carried out.

Graphmatech, Graphenea, and Northvolt have announced their success in up-cycling end-of-life EV batteries into graphene oxide at industrial pilot scale. This breakthrough uses the material left after Northvolt has extracted valuable metals and minerals. Until now, that remaining material was left as waste.

Emma Nehrenheim, Chief Environmental Officer of Northvolt, comments: “The upcycling of graphene oxide from recycled batteries represents a great development in our pursuit of a sustainable battery industry in Europe. Batteries contain an abundance of valuable materials which we can recover to reduce our dependence on mining and producing fresh materials. We are proud to have contributed to this development.”

A team of researchers from Stanford University, University of Washington, The Charles Stark Draper Laboratory, University of Maryland and MIT have reported the design of an energy-efficient, silicon-based non-volatile switch that manipulates light through the use of a phase-change material and graphene heater.

Data centers are dedicated spaces for storing, processing and disseminating data, that enable various applications, from cloud computing to video streaming. In the process, they consume a large amount of energy; As the need for data use grows, so does the need to make data centers more energy-efficient.

In 2018, MIT researchers found that if two graphene layers are stacked at a very specific “magic” angle, the twisted bilayer structure could exhibit robust superconductivity. Recently, the same group found a similar superconductive state exists in twisted trilayer graphene. Now, the team reports that four and five graphene layers can also be twisted and stacked at new magic angles to elicit robust superconductivity at low temperatures.

This latest discovery establishes the various twisted and stacked configurations of graphene as the first known “family” of multilayer magic-angle superconductors. The team also identified similarities and differences between graphene family members.

Haydale has announced that it has started collaborating on the innovation and the supply of graphene with Vittoria and has received its first order for one tonne of functionalized graphene nanomaterial.

Vittoria is a leading manufacturer of performance bicycle tires and has since 2015 pioneered the application of graphene in the rubber of bicycle tires. The functionalized nanomaterial has been proven to create substantial improvements in grip, rolling resistance, puncture resistance and durability.

Greece-based Pleione Energy has worked with ESA on a project to industrialize the production of Li-ion battery electrodes incorporating graphene as their main active material, producing in the tens of meters at a time.

These negative electrodes were used for Li-ion battery cells that were produced and tested according to European Cooperation for Space Standardization, ECSS, standards, representing space-ready quality.

Graphex Group, which manufactures graphene products for lithium-ion batteries in China, has announced terms for its IPO On the US NYSE stock exchange. The company is currently listed on the Hong Kong Exchange (6128) and the OTCQX market (GRFXY). The Hong Kong-based company also stated plans to raise $8 million as part of the IPO.

Graphex manufactures natural spherical graphite and specialized graphite products that are used primarily in lithium-ion batteries, typically for electric vehicles and clean energy storage solutions. The company's graphene products operations are based in China and strategically located near a supply source of high-quality natural graphite. Graphex reports that it currently has approximately 30 customers in the PRC, primarily manufacturers of automotive batteries, conductive agents, refractory materials for the steel industry, and heat sink materials for precision electronics.