The Graphene-Info newsletter (May 5, 2023)

Here are some recent and popular graphene industry updates that you may find of interest:

• Researchers design breakthrough graphene-based cardiac implant
• Researchers demonstrate graphene-based 2D magnetic device at room temperature
• Stolt Tankers and GI&T to apply graphene-based marine coating on 25 ships
• GIM signs $1 billion deal to tackle global sustainability challenges
• Researchers develop a sprayable graphene biosensing platform for rapid chemical sensing
• Researchers develop graphene/MoS2 micro-electrochemical capacitors for ultra-high storage
• Umbro launches graphene-enhanced ProTraining Elite range
• Paragraf acquired new manufacturing facility to boost production capabilities
• GGG's Honeycomb Battery merges with a $900 million SPAC company
• Universal Matter acquires Applied Graphene Materials' assets for $1.3 million
• The Graphene Flagship's chief, Prof. Jari Kinaret, shares his views on the post-Flagship future
• Graphenea reports financial figures for 2022, with 34% growth rate
• Skeleton Technologies launches its graphene SuperBattery and unveils Shell as partner
• William Blythe expands its graphene oxide capacity to 50 tonnes as demand increases
• LG launches graphene-enhanced earbuds
• Haydale to lead project for high barrier monolayer films for food packaging
• NeoGraf Solutions inaugurates its 750-ton graphene production facility
• WearGraphene's graphene-enhanced jacket - a hands-on review

Researchers at the University of Georgia have developed a new graphene-enhanced foam material that could significantly reduce health care-related infections caused by implanted medical devices, as well as drastically improve cleanup efforts following environmental disasters, such as oil spills.

The 3D foam is water repellent and exhibits antimicrobial and oil-water separation properties. Its versatility and relatively inexpensive production costs could make it a valuable resource for clinicians and those specializing in environmental remediation.

Haydale recently announced an extension of its cooperation with Viritech, a developer of high-performance hydrogen powertrain solutions for the automotive industry. The two companies will work together on solutions for hydrogen pressure vessels, initially focusing on commercial vehicles.

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In focusing on Type V, linerless pressure vessels, Viritech and Haydale are looking to develop 'the world’s most efficient vehicle storage system for gaseous hydrogen'. This technology could have wide application, including to the automotive, aerospace, and marine industries, with immediate application in the emerging market for fuel cell vans.

It was recently reported that Skeleton Technologies and the Canadian automotive supplier Martinrea International are cooperating to equip refuse collection vehicles for use in Paris and New York with Skeleton’s ‘SuperBattery’ technology.

Martinrea International develops and produces electric vehicle technologies for heavy-duty commercial vehicles through its subsidiary Effenco. The aim of the agreement with the Estonia-based Skeleton is to electrify fleets of refuse collection vehicles in Europe and North America, starting in New York City and Paris, and later to make the solution developed by both companies available worldwide. In autumn 2022, Shell had already become known as the first major customer for the graphene battery solution. Shell wants to use it to create electrification solutions for mining sites.

Scientists from CiQUS, ICN2, University of Cantabria, Donostia International Physics Center (DIPC), and Technical University of Denmark (DTU) have joined forces to develop a versatile method for building brick by brick carbon nanocircuits with tunable properties. The team sees this as a significant breakthrough in the precise engineering of 2D materials. The proposed fabrication technique opens exciting new possibilities for materials science, and, in particular, for application in advanced electronics and future solutions for sustainable energy.

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The team synthesized a new nanoporous graphene structure by connecting ultra-narrow graphene strips, known as “nanoribbons”, by means of flexible “bridges” made of phenylene moieties (which are portions of larger molecules). By modifying in a continuous way the architecture and angle of these bridges, the scientists can control the quantum connectivity between the nanoribbon channels and, ultimately, fine-tune the electronic properties of the graphene nanoarchitecture. The tunability could also be controlled by external stimuli, such as strain or electric fields, providing opportunities for different applications.

Researchers at North Carolina State University (NC State), National Science and Technology Development Agency and NSTDA Characterization and Testing Service Center in Thailand have created a graphene-based cathode in the shape of a thread-like fiber. The researchers were then able to use the fiber to create a zinc-ion battery prototype that could power a wrist watch.

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Battery prototype with thread-like cathode. Image from NCSU website

The proof-of-concept study is a step forward in the development of a fiber-shaped battery that could ultimately be integrated into garments.

UK-based Paragraf has acquired U.S-based Cardea Bio, maker of graphene biosensors. Cardea Bio has been renamed Paragraf USA and Michael Heltzen, CEO and co-founder of Cardea Bio, became EVP of Strategy at Paragraf USA.

“Joining Paragraf allows us to use the world’s only mass-produced, transfer-free monolayer graphene to manufacture the state-of-the art graphene-based biosensors developed by the Cardea team over the last ten years. We are looking forward to unlocking powerful synergistic effects to advance the broad and growing use of graphene biosensors for the benefit of both people and the planet,” says Heltzen.