The Graphene-Info newsletter (August 3, 2022)

CleanGraph, a chemical manufacturing company, has announced that it revealed a new process to transform graphite into graphene.

"Expanded graphite is a layered nanocarbon material, which is produced at industrial scale by oxidative intercalation and high-temperature expansion of natural graphite. CleanGraph is a novel proprietary process to chemically modify graphite into various forms of graphene in a faster, more productive and ecologically friendly way," said the Company's scientific team.

Graphene scientists from The University of Manchester have created a novel ‘nano petri dish’ using two-dimensional (2D) materials to create a new method of observing how atoms move in liquid. The team, led by researchers based at the National Graphene Institute (NGI), used stacks of 2D materials including graphene to trap liquid in order to further understand how the presence of liquid changes the behavior of the solid.

The researchers were able to capture images of single atoms ‘swimming’ in liquid for the first time. The findings could have widespread impact on the future development of green technologies such as hydrogen production.

Ceylon Graphene Technologies (CGT), a Sri Lanka based startup company, is expanding its graphene production capacity as graphene-enhanced industrial batteries are about to hit the market, according to a report from an official.

CGT is a joint venture between Sri Lanka Institute of Nanotechnology (SLINTEC), a research body backed by the government, and private partners (Colombo-based LOLC group owns 85 percent of CGT and SLINTEC 15 percent). CGT has developed a technology to convert vein graphite into graphene.

Researchers from Integrated Graphene and the University of the West of Scotland (UWS) have reported a project to develop graphene-enhanced pressure sensors that provide enhanced capabilities to robots, helping improve their motor skills and dexterity. The project was supported by the Scottish Research Partnership in Engineering (SRPe) and the National Manufacturing Institute for Scotland (NMIS) Industry Doctorate Program in Advanced Manufacturing.

Professor Des Gibson, Director of the Institute of Thin Films, Sensors and Imaging at UWS and project principal investigator, said: “Over recent years the advancements in the robotics industry have been remarkable, however, due to a lack of sensory capabilities, robotic systems often fail to execute certain tasks easily. For robots to reach their full potential, accurate pressure sensors, capable of providing greater tactile ability, are required. Our collaboration with Integrated Graphene Ltd, has led to the development of advanced pressure sensor technology, which could help transform robotic systems.”

Researchers from the University of Vienna, South Korea's Institute for Basic Science (IBS) and the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) have reported an ultrathin covalent organic framework (COF) that was constructed homogeneously on the surface of a graphene template via a facile hydrothermal method.

The composite material of COF and graphene reportedly shows high and rapid adsorption capacity for organic pollutants.

Researchers from Penn State and China's Hebei University of Technology, as well as additional collaborators from China, have developed a new water-resistant gas sensor for accurate, continuous monitoring of nitrogen dioxide and other gases in humid environments.

The new water-resistant gas sensor can be worn under the nose to detect nitrogen dioxide in the breath, the concentration of which may indicate potential pulmonary diseases.

Malaysia-based Graphjet Technology aims to list on the NASDAQ, with a projected valuation of $1.49 billion. The company has signed an agreement with Energem Corp (NASDAQ: ENCP), a special-purpose acquisition company that will merge with Graphjet.

Graphjet was established in 2019 in Malaysia. The company produces graphene and graphite from palm kernel shells (a common waste product from the production of palm seed oil). The company targets several applications, including batteries for EVs and power storage.