Graphene-Info newsletter

Graphene-enhanced patch may revolutionize diabetes treatment

Researchers at the Korean Institute for Basic Science (IBS) have developed a wearable graphene-based biomedical device capable of sweat-based glucose monitoring and controlling. The diabetes patch comprises of an electronic chemical sensor that measures glucose levels using human sweat and microneedles that automatically inject medication, posing a real breakthrough for the treatment of diabetes, and possibly other chronic diseases as it will be able to remove the pain and inconvenience that traditional methods inflict.

Upon detection of abnormally high levels of glucose, a drug is released into the patient’s bloodstream via drug loaded microneedles. The drug is released when the coating in the microneedles is melted by the heater at a temperature of 42 degrees Celsius. The malleable, semi-transparent skin-like appearance of the graphene device provides easy and comfortable contact with human skin, allowing the sensors to remain unaffected by any skin deformations. This enables stable sensing and efficient drug delivery.

Haydale is working on graphene-enhanced body parts for BAC supercar

Haydale is developing, along with BAC Mono, a graphene-enhanced body panel for BAC's single seat road car. The graphene-enhanced epoxy resin has reportedly delivered increased strength and a "significant weight and cost reduction".

BAC representatives stated that "At BAC we focus heavily on innovation and we were delighted to work with graphene composite industry leaders Haydale on this project. It marks another world first for BAC and the beginning of a project with a broad range of exciting possibilities."

Graphene oxide to enable efficient water treatment filters

Researchers from the US and Australia used graphene oxide to design a filter that allows water and other liquids to be filtered nine times faster than the current leading commercial filter, by developing a viscous form of graphene oxide that could be spread very thinly with a blade.

The researchers explain that this technique creates a uniform arrangement in the graphene, and that evenness gives the filter special properties; The filter can capture viruses and bacteria - in fact, anything larger than one nanometer cannot get through the graphene layer. In January 2016, researchers at the University of Manchester demonstrated that graphene can simplify the production of heavy water and help clean nuclear waste by filtering different isotopes of hydrogen.

Graphene-based light detectors to enable improved 3D cameras

The University of Michigan is currently developing a graphene-based camera able to record 3D images and video, in a $1.2 million project funded by the W.M. Keck Foundation. The camera will have graphene-based light detectors, and should be smaller than other existing models - as well as achieve higher resolutions.

The camera under development will record the light as it passes through a series of transparent light detectors. This approach enables more information to be acquired without losing image resolution. It works because objects at different distances from the lens will come into focus at different points inside the camera, the researchers say. Objects will appear brightest where they are most in focus. Using this principle, it is much easier for the computer to reconstruct the images. The faster processing makes it possible to produce high speed and high-resolution video. Graphene can be used to make a highly sensitive light detector that allows much of the light to pass through, to achieve high sensitivity in order to produce a clearer picture. Graphene detectors can offer very high sensitivity, so you don't really sacrifice the clarity by making them transparent.

Graphene Security secures first commercial order; Graphene Light Bulbs get ready to hit the UK market

BGT Materials, the UK-based graphene technology company, has announced that it has received the first commercial order for its subsidiary, Graphene Security. GS, developer of flexible and green wireless antenna solutions, has chosen its first application to be in the RFID industry where graphene is used as the antenna inlays. This technology was recently demonstrated in the Mobile World Congress in Barcelona.

BGT Materials has also a second subsidiary, Graphene Lighting, that designs and manufactures next-generation LED lighting, using graphene as a thermal dissipation solution. It has developed the Graphene Light Bulbs, and a full product rollout is underway which includes a full range of home, commercial and street lighting.

The Graphene Investment Guide - new personal license and updates

Last month Graphene-Info launched the Graphene Investment Guide, and we are now happy to announce an updated guide (March 26) and a new personal edition. The Graphene Investment Guide is a comprehensive guide to the world of graphene investments.

The graphene market and industry are still in early stages - but savvy investors are hurrying to find the companies that will profit the most from the oncoming revolution. This investment guide helps establish a graphene investment paradigm and assist in launching a successful graphene portfolio.

Versarien has announced that it has teamed up with E3D Online Ltd, a 3D printing specialist, to carry out initial trials using graphene. Versarien aims to ascertain whether 3D printed parts can benefit from the use of graphene provided by Versarien’s 2D-Tech subsidiary.

Researchers at the U.S. Department of Energy's Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (Berkeley Lab) have developed a battery-like hydrogen fuel cell, which surrounds hydrogen-absorbing magnesium nanocrystals with graphene oxide sheets to improve its performance.

Researchers at Brown University have demonstrated that graphene, wrinkled and crumpled in a multi-step process, becomes significantly better at repelling water - a property that could be useful in making self-cleaning surfaces. Crumpled graphene also has enhanced electrochemical properties, which could make it more useful as electrodes in batteries and fuel cells.

Graphene 3D Lab has announced a third line of business, the Industrial Materials Division, to be devoted to development of high volume graphene-infused polymers for the automotive, robotics, drone, aerospace and military industries. This line will join the company's two main ones: graphene production and commercialization of 3D Printing technologies.

A research team at Los Alamos, along with collaborators from Oak Ridge National Laboratory, the University of New Mexico, and Rutgers University, has developed a new water-removal technique that improves the performance of carbon nanomaterials used in fuel cells and batteries.

Researchers at Monash University have designed a simple and effective way of capturing graphene and the toxins and contaminants they attract from water, by using light. This technique could have important ramifications for large-scale water purification.

Oros Apparel is a U.S-based company that manufactures thermal outerwear based on aerogel technology. The company is now developing gloves made from graphene-coated aerogels that keep body warmth inside the gloves and insulate from low outer temperatures. Oros hopes to start selling this product commercially around September-October 2016 and will launch an Indiegogo InDemand campaign.

Researchers at Tsinghua University, China have devised a graphene-based nanostructured lithium metal anode for lithium metal batteries, to inhibit dendrite growth and improve electrochemistry performance.

Researchers at Plymouth University, Cambridge and Tohoku (Japan) Universities and Nokia Technologies have found that electrical signals transmitted at high frequencies through graphene do not lose energy. In fact, the study showed that graphene out-performs any other known material, including superconductors, when carrying high-frequency electrical signals compared to direct current.