The Graphene-Info newsletter, March 2017
Published: Tue, 04/04/17
Rice U researchers pave the way towards using graphene to repair spinal cord injuries
Researchers from Rice University, led by the renowned Prof. James M. Tour, are setting out to repair spinal cord injuries with the help of TexasPEG, a water soluble graphene nanoribbon dispersion. In rodents, the method has been able to restore a completely paralyzed rat to a motility score of 19 out of 21, where 21 is a perfect score. If successful in humans as well, it may be applicable to new injuries, and potentially old injuries up to 30 years in the past - restoring function and sensation in both paraplegics and quadriplegics.
The team's novel approach acts as a directional scaffold for the neurons to grow along. It uses highly conductive graphene nanoribbons (GNR), which are long and thin. These graphene nanoribbons have been chemically modified to be water soluble (PEG-GNR), so they can disperse well between the existing neurons. Neurons then attach to these GNRs, and grow axons and dendrites along them until they re-connect with another neuron. These PEG-GNR are dissolved in PEG600 to form a solution that is topically administered to cuts in the spinal cord. The team expects that this project can be completed in 2-3 years and may transition to clinical trials in humans in 3 years.
Skeleton Technologies launches graphene-based engine start supercapacitor
Skeleton Technologies, developer and manufacturer of high energy and power density supercapacitors, announced launching a new graphene-based engine start module to help power heavy industry vehicles in extreme conditions. Called SkelStart Engine Start Module 2.0, it is available in 24V and 12V versions and is based on the graphene-based SkelCap supercapacitors, which Skeleton says provide the highest power and energy density on the market. The SkelStart Engine Start Module 2.0 can reportedly replace a battery, or be installed in addition to existing batteries, to handle all engine starting duties.
The new module’s casing is made of non-flammable material that is resistant to vibration and shock, and is a stud terminal device in BCI Group 31 size. Skeleton states that "SkelStart Engine Start modules are designed to provide reliable engine starting in even the harshest conditions, as well as reduced ongoing costs on maintenance and replacement. Businesses can therefore expect their equipment to work cost effectively year-round, affording them peace of mind."
Graphene may grant control over terahertz waves
Researchers from the University of Geneva, working with the Federal Polytechnic School in Zurich (ETHZ) and two Spanish research teams, have come up with a technique based on the use of graphene that allows for terahertz waves to be controlled accurately. This discovery paves the way for a practical use of terahertz waves, in particular for imaging and telecommunications.
Today, the team's focus is to move on from the prototype, and develop practical applications and new opportunities by controlling terahertz waves. Their objective is to make terahertz waves industrially competitive in the next few years.
Graphene enables solar-powered "electronic skin" with sensing abilities
Researchers at the University of Glasgow have used graphene to develop a robotic hand with solar-powered skin, which may open the door to the development of prosthetic limbs or robots with a sense of touch.
The team created the skin with the help of a single atomic layer of graphene, in a method that includes integrating power-generating photovoltaic cells into the electronic skin. The scientists say that “Whatever light is available, 98 percent is going and hitting the solar cell”, explaining that a solar panel is located just under the surface of the clear graphene skin. “it is generating power that can be used to get the sensitivity, the tactile feeling”.
Graphene-perovskite large area solar cell achieves record efficiency
Researchers at the Centre for Hybrid and Organic Solar Energy (CHOSE) of the University of Rome “Tor Vergata”, along with researchers at the Italian Institute of Technology (IIT) and the University of Applied Sciences in Crete (TEI), have stated that they set a new record for conversion efficiency of a perovskite photovoltaic module with an area larger than 50 cm2.
In the study, the researchers designed a module consisting of an active perovskite layer and charge transporting layers. To make charge injection more efficient, the interface between perovskite and titania (a material employed in the cell to collect electrons) was improved by adding graphene and also using graphene oxide. This resulted in an increased efficiency from 11.6% to 12.6% of a perovskite photovoltaic module with an area of 50.6 cm2. An additional benefit provided by the use of graphene is an increased stability of the perovskite photovoltaic modules: the researchers demonstrated that the modules retained more than 90% of the initial efficiency after 1630 hours.
AEM2017: 4th International Conference on Advanced Graphene Materials
In September 22-13, 2017, The University of Surrey in England will hold a conference series on energy materials. The event will include five different conferences, which will be hosted simultaneously as parallel sessions.
The topics will include: Energy materials, Hydrogen energy, Hydrogen production, Fuel cells, Biofuels, Solar energy, Alternative energy, Photocatalysis, Supercapacitors, Photovoltaics, Nanomaterials, Nanoenergy, Graphene materials and Mathematical modeling. Click here for more information.
Graphene & 2D Materials Europe - Accelerating The Commercialization Process For Graphene
The Graphene and 2D Materials Europe event will be the 10th business-focused IDTechEx exhibition and conference. This event is squarely focused on addressing the critical challenge facing the industry: accelerating the commercialization process.
Over 3000 business-focused attendees and more than 200 exhibitors are expected to attend this event. The Graphene-Info team will also be there, so feel free to contact us if you wish to schedule a meeting!
Thermal conductivity in graphene: Graphene-Info's new article
Thermal conductivity in graphene is a thriving area of research, thanks to graphene's extraordinary heat conductivity properties and its potential for use in thermal management applications.
Don't miss Graphene-info's new article, that discusses this popular topic of heat conductivity in graphene, its potential for heat management applications and more!
Graphene: history, controversy and the Nobel prize
This fascinating new Graphene-Info article gives an overview of graphene’s history, the controversy around the Nobel prize announcement and the research that preceded it.
Graphene-Info's market reports updated to March 2017
Out this month are Graphene-Info’s updated versions of all graphene market reports. Among these you can find the following reports: Batteries, Supercapacitors, GO, Lighting, Displays and Graphene Investments.
Graphene-Info provides comprehensive niche graphene market reports, and our reports cover everything you need to know about the niche market, and can be useful if you want to understand how the graphene industry works and what this technology can provide for your own industry. The reports are now updated to March 2017, you can download these now here.
Our updated report list: Researchers from the Graphene Flagship developed a new graphene-based device able to record brain activity in high resolution while maintaining excellent signal to noise ratio (SNR).
Thomas Swan announced the launch of a high-performance graphene intermediate product for coatings formulators.
Researchers from The University of Manchester have conducted a study that presents a review of the three steps of manufacturing graphene/epoxy nano-composites.
Researchers at Delft University have shown that placing certain types of bacteria on flat sheets of graphene oxide can turn it into a reduced version of the compound (rGO) by pulling oxygen atoms off the material as they metabolize.
Directa Plus announced that its graphene-based materials have been selected by Luxottica Group to enhance a new range of Ray-Ban glasses.
An international team of scientists has designed a molecule that uses light or electricity to convert the greenhouse gas carbon dioxide into carbon monoxide, using graphene.
Researchers at the China-based Tsinghua University have designed an intelligent artificial throat device using laser-induced graphene that can generate and detect sound.
Haydale Composite Solutions has announced the production of graphene-enhanced electrically-conductive carbon fibre-reinforced composite materials with improved resistance to damage from a severe lightning-strike event.
Talga Resources announced that it has signed a joint development agreement with Zinergy UK to co-develop and supply graphene conductive inks for electrodes in thin, flexible printed batteries.
Nanomedical Diagnostics announced a partnership with Rogue Valley Microdevices to deliver their graphene-based biosensors, AGILE R100.
In a recent speech, Virgin Atlantic president Sir Richard Branson raised the prospect of planes being made entirely from graphene within 10 years.
Researchers at Yale University have developed an ultra-thin coating material, based on graphene oxide, that has the potential to extend the life and improve the efficiency of lithium-sulfur batteries.
Grafoid announced the development of its GPURE Graphene Polymer nano-porous membrane intended for next generation Li-Ion battery applications.
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