In May 2014, two unrelated research papers dicussed how to use Boron-Nitride (BN) to open a bandgap in graphene. The first research, from the University of Manchester demonstrated that when growing graphene on hBN (hexagonal BN), small changes in the crystal structure can open a band-gap in the graphene. The researchers also demonstrated that a graphene grown on the hBN can exist in an alternative structure in which the band gap is much smaller.

The second research, from Berkeley Lab and the University of California (UC) Berkeley developed a method to open a bandgap in a graphene-BN heterostructure using visible light. Using this so called "photo-induced doping" of the GBN the researchers created p–n junctions and other useful doping profiles while preserving the material’s remarkably high electron mobility.

Using visible light is very promising as this technique is very flexible and (unlike electrostatic gating and chemical doping) does not require multi-step fabrication processes that reduce the graphene's quality. Using this method, one can make and erase different patterns easily.

Researchers from the University of Illinois at Chicago (UIC) and the Korea University developed a simple spray method to deposit high quality graphene flakes films on a range of substrates. The method is based on a unique kinetic spray deposition system developed in Korea that was originally used to spray materials other than graphene. Together, the researchers adapted this method to graphene and they found that it dispersed evenly and it reduces the tendency of the graphene flakes to aggregate.

The researchers were also pleased to discover that using this method, defects inherent in the graphene flakes actually disappeared. This means that the resulting films were of very high quality.

IDTechEx released a new graphene material market report (Graphene Markets, Technologies and Opportunities 2014-2024) in which they forecast that the graphene market (at the material level) will grow from about $20 million in 2014 to over $390 million in 2024.

As the industry matures, IDTechEx sees the graphene market splitting across many application sectors, each attracting different types of graphene materials, manufactured using different means.

Researchers from MIT and the University of Michigan developed a new way to deposit graphene on nonmetal substrates. Current methods usually involved growing graphene on metal substrates, but this creates problems when you try to transfer the material to a different substrates.

The new method still grows the graphene on a metal substrate - but they do it in a way that grows the graphene on both sides of the metal substrate. The process starts with the nonmetal substrate of choice, which is coated with nickel. Using CVD, graphene is grown on the nickel - but the graphene forms two layers, one of them between the nickel and the nonmetal substrate. The nickel is then easily peeled off which leaves a single graphene layer on the nonmetal substrate.

Researchers from Korea's Pohang University of Science and Technology developed a new dry process to transfer CVD-grown graphene. Avoiding any wet chemistry step means that you can place the graphene on water sensitive substrates. The researchers explain that this method may create better performing graphene as they contain fewer defects and charged impurities.

To demonstrate this technique, the researchers transferred CVD-grown graphene onto a water-sensitive substrate and have even made flexible, air-stable, low-voltage FETs from the transferred materials. They say that the GFETs produced using this technology have outstanding carrier mobility and an average Dirac point (which indicates how ‘clean’ a device is) of around 0.38 V. This appears to be better than any G-FETs transferred using wet chemistry processes.

After four years of existence, Graphenea has revamped its corporate image and website this month. Celebrating its fourth anniversary, Graphenea is not a start up anymore. In four short years, the hard work of the entire team has resulted in the placement of Graphenea as a leading manufacturer of graphene in powder and film format. Graphenea is recognized the world over as a steadily-growing business which constantly improves the quality of its product.

Graphenea has also succeeded in becoming the largest graphene supplier in the billion-euro project “Graphene Flagship”, and hopping onto the Advisory Board of the Graphene Stakeholders Association, a global network coordinating the commercialization of graphene. The strong strategic position of Graphenea and their dedication to important global issues such as energy generation and storage is being reinforced by the recent million-euro investment by Repsol Energy Ventures. Feel free to browse the revamped website and provide them with feedback!

I'm happy to announce our new investor forums. A lot of people are seeing a great future with graphene, and are interested in investing in the industry. In the past few months several pure-play graphene company went public, and now investors can use our new forums to get new ideas and share their information.

Currently there are five forums - one for general discussions, and four for specific companies (Applied Graphene, Focus Graphite, Lomiko Metals and Haydale - which I believe are the most popular graphene companies). If there'll be demand to open more forums I will happily do so.

If you want to participate in the discussions, you'll have to register as a graphene-info user. Simply reply to this mail for more details.