Graphene-Info newsletter

Graphene composite may help keep aircraft wings ice-free

Researchers at Rice University have created a thin coating of graphene nanoribbons in epoxy, that has proven effective at melting ice on a helicopter blade. This coating may be an effective real-time de-icing mechanism for aircraft, wind turbines, transmission lines and other surfaces exposed to cold weather. In addition, the coating may also help protect aircraft from lightning strikes and provide an extra layer of electromagnetic shielding.

The scientists performed tests in which they melted centimeter-thick ice from a static helicopter rotor blade in a -4 degree Fahrenheit environment. When a small voltage was applied, the coating delivered electrothermal heat - called Joule heating - to the surface, which melted the ice. The results of this study demonstrate, according to the researchers, that applying this composite to wings could save time and money at airports - where the glycol-based chemicals now used to de-ice aircraft are also an environmental concern.

Graphene-enhanced film shuts down li-ion batteries before overheating and restarts upon cooling

Researchers at Stanford University have developed a revolutionary graphene-enhanced polyethylene film that prevents a lithium-ion battery from overheating, then restarts the battery when it cools. This new technology could prevent fires and meltdowns in a wide range of battery-powered devices.

The researchers in this study recently invented a wearable sensor to monitor human body temperature, made of a plastic material embedded with tiny particles of nickel with nanoscale spikes protruding from their surface. For the battery experiment, they coated the spiky nickel particles with graphene and embedded the particles in a thin film of elastic polyethylene. They then attached the film to one of the battery electrodes so that an electric current could flow through it. The researchers explain that in order to conduct electricity, the spiky particles have to physically touch one another, but during thermal expansion, polyethylene stretches. That causes the particles to spread apart, making the film non-conductive so that electricity can no longer flow through the battery.

Directa Plus and Colmar to launch graphene-enhanced sportswear

Directa Plus and Colmar are launching a line of graphene-enhanced sportswear, which they have recently presented at a sportswear conference in Germany.

Directa Plus already has several graphene-based products on the market. In addition, it has collaborated with leading companies, like International wheel producer Vittoria.

Skeleton Technologies secures €4 million investment for development of graphene supercapacitors

Skeleton Technologies, the graphene-enhanced supercapacitor manufacturer, has received a €4 million investment from KIC InnoEnergy, an investment company dedicated to promoting sustainable innovation and entrepreneurship in Europe’s energy industry.

The €4m investment from KIC InnoEnergy will be used to further develop the competitive advantage of Skeleton Technologies’ graphene supercapacitors. The company aims to reach the tambitious arget of 20 Wh/kg energy density for its technology by 2020. The company will use the funds to further optimize electrode and cell design to allow for higher working voltages.

Graphene sheet enables first ever pictures of single proteins

Researchers at the University of Zurich in Switzerland have managed to use graphene to deliver the world's first picture of a single protein. Taking pictures of proteins help scientists understand proteins' structure and functions, which is vital for treating diseases in which proteins go wrong, like Alzheimer’s. But imaging methods such as X-ray crystallography or cryo-electron microscopy rely on averaging readings from millions of molecules (granting a blurry view), since illuminating molecules with X-rays or high-energy electrons can damage the protein.

The scientists started by spraying a solution of the proteins onto a sheet of graphene, fixing the proteins in place. Then they placed this under an electron holographic microscope, which uses interference patterns between electrons to produce an image. While this kind of instrument relies on low-energy electrons that don’t damage the protein, it is also less able to penetrate through to the microscope’s detector - which is where graphene comes in handy as the substrate can be made thin enough to have the electrons passing through.

A team of scientists at Stanford University and the Department of Energy's SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory has come up with a possible answer to the question of how to make lithium-ion battery anodes out of silicon - by wrapping the silicon anode particles in a custom-fit "cage" made of graphene.

Sunvault Energy and Edison Power Company announced that it recently conducted a number of tests on its graphene reinforced plastic technology, which has many potential uses that could change the landscape of plastics utilization.

An interdisciplinary team has demonstrated how it is possible to interface graphene with neurons, or nerve cells, while maintaining the integrity of these vital cells.

Researchers at the University of Tokyo have used graphene to create a pressure sensor that remains accurate even when bent double. The researchers say it has properties that make it an ideal choice for clinical gloves and that breast cancer detection could become much faster and more reliable.

The Spanish Navy will conduct a research on the use of graphene in ballistic protection systems, along with Marine Corps Eastern Tercio and the Algameca Naval Station, and the Cartagena Polytechnic University (UPCT) in Spain.

UK-based Applied Graphene Materials is collaborating with US paint company Sherwin-Williams Protective and Marine Coatings, and corrosion management operation TWI Limited, in a venture to develop graphene-based anti-corrosion paints.

Researchers at Japan's RIKEN have come up with a quick, efficient and potentially scalable way to produce large quantities of single-layer graphene by employing microwave radiation and a special ionic liquid solvent.

Elcora Resources announced that it is working the development of a unique graphene production process, which can use a wide variety of graphite sources as raw material to produce consistent high quality graphene.

Imperial Innovations invests in turning university research into businesses, and it is now investing £25 million in finding the next wonder material, with graphene as one of the materials under examination.Imperial Innovations’ investment will be accompanied by another £25 million from the European Investment Bank.

The OLED Association, a trade group that promotes OLED technologies, published an interesting article in which they give predictions for the OLED market. The Association sees Samsung returning to the OLED TV market in 2017, and those upcoming OLED TVs will use several new technologies - including graphene-based transparent electrodes.

Researchers at the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) have simulated a new concept for rapid, accurate gene sequencing by pulling a DNA molecule through a tiny hole in graphene and detecting changes in electrical current.

Japan's Osaka Gas declared that it has found a way to produce graphene at half the cost of conventional methods. The technique is for making graphene from high-purity graphite and involves a high-speed collision of graphite with a mixture of substances like coal-based fluorene and water.