Researchers from the University of Massachusetts in Amherst studied the way graphene absorbs kinetic energy and discovered that it might be extremely efficient in preventing bullet penetration, thus enabling the creation of a souped-up body armour.

The scientists found that graphene sheets dissipate the kinetic energy by stretching into a cone shape at the bullet's impact point, then cracking outward radially. Despite those cracks (which are a weakness of single-layer graphene), it still performed twice as well as Kevlar and endured 10 times the kinetic energy that steel can. The cracking problem should be abated by using multiple layers of graphene or using it in a composite structure.

The Chalmers University of Technology in Sweden announced the 2015 launch of ChalmersX, a venture of moocs (massive open online courses) on the edx.org platform.

The first mooc will be an introduction to graphene, called Introduction to Graphene Science and Technology, as Chalmers is also the home of EU's research initiative Graphene Flagship.

The moocs will be accessible to people around the world and Chalmers University sees this venture as a fulfilment of their role as knowledge disseminators, in a new and innovative way that goes beyond the national level that was possible so far.

A rumor has been circling the web of a Chinese based international company called DJI that is planning to come out with a drone called DJI Inspire Graphene around March-April 2015.

The multi-rotor aircraft is said to have graphene used in components like frame, arms and props to achieve light-weight and stiffness, but also in the drone's battery, for more capacity, faster loading and longevity. The battery part seems especially dubious as graphene batteries have not yet been commercially used. The drone is also supposed to come out with a built-in preparation for connectivity with Samsung Gear VR and Oculus Rift. Prices should range between $4,000 to $5,000, with the graphene battery alone sold for $500.

The ANM2015, the sixth advanced materials international conference in Aveiro, Portugal, will include a graphene segment for the first time.

The conference, which will be held in 20-22 July 2015, is a multidisciplinary event that aims to gather scientists and experts from the global graphene community in order to form a strong network of professionals and exchange knowledge and ideas.

To participate in the oral and poster presentations, submit the abstract by 28th February 2015. Visit the website: www.anm2015.com for further information.

A week ago we posted an interesting interview with Rahul Fotedar, Graphene batteries' co-founder, on the company’s latest developments and plans for the future.

Graphene Batteries is a Norwegian company that was founded over two years ago in order to explore the potential of graphene in batteries and develop practical graphene-based battery products. Its vision is to provide robust battery materials for a renewable energy ecosystem, aiming to create durable battery materials that are reliable, safe and green.

An annual photo competition held by faculty of engineering at the University of Cambridge declares incredible electron micrograph photo of free-standing graphene foam winner.

The graphene foam was made by growing a few layers of graphene on the surface of a porous metal foam skeleton (by CVD), then removing it by dissolving it in etching solution. The photo, by Adrianus Indrat Aria, was called Asteroidea Electrica.