Graphene-Info newsletter

Graphene-based electrochemical sensor can detect COVID-19 in less than five minutes

University of Illinois researchers have used graphene to develop a rapid, ultrasensitive test using a paper-based electrochemical sensor that can detect the presence of the virus in less than five minutes.

There are two components to this biosensor: a platform to measure an electrical read-out and probes to detect the presence of viral RNA. To create the platform, researchers first coated filter paper with a layer of graphene nanoplatelets to create a conductive film. Then, they placed a gold electrode with a predefined design on top of the graphene as a contact pad for electrical readout. Both gold and graphene have high sensitivity and conductivity which makes this platform ultrasensitive to detect changes in electrical signals.

The team tested the performance of this sensor by using COVID-19 positive and negative samples. The sensor showed a significant increase in the voltage of positive samples compared to the negative ones and confirmed the presence of viral genetic material in less than five minutes. Furthermore, the sensor was able to differentiate viral RNA loads in these samples. Viral load is an important quantitative indicator of the progress of infection and a challenge to measure using existing diagnostic methods.

AMD signs LOI with Marks and Spencer for graphene-based ink tech for RFID

Advanced Material Development (AMD) has announced that it has signed a Letter of Intent with Marks and Spencer to further its work on the development of a green and sustainable RFID solution for the apparel and packaging industry.

AMD stated that it has made substantial progress on the use of its graphene based conductive ink technology to replace the aluminium and plastic materials that are incumbent in the ever-growing RFID applications industry. This has opened up opportunities in this sector for applications ranging from “green” to “flexible” solutions in a number of key markets.

STEK Automotive launches graphene-enhanced window films

STEK Automotive, a U.S-based film technology developer, has launched a premium nano-ceramic window film, NEX, that contains graphene as well as tungsten and antimony tin oxide.

The graphene-enhanced nano-ceramic window films are said to provide crystal clarity as well as UV and glare reduction, and to effectively prevent heat from reaching vehicle interiors. Its metal-free structure also reportedly guarantees signal freedom, ensuring the continuous connectivity of all electronic devices. By blocking up to 95% of visible interior light, NEX additionally offers exceptional passenger privacy, while its 92% sun glare reduction rate dramatically reduces eye strain. With a 98% IR rejection rate, NEX's steady regulation of UV transmittance keeps windows cool, significantly reducing the level and intensity of deterioration.

Orbex secures $24 million funding for its graphene-enhanced rocket

Orbex, a UK-based private, low-cost orbital launch services company, recently reported that it has secured $24 million in a funding round led by BGF (London) and Octopus Ventures (London). At the beginning of 2020, Orbex developed what it calls an "advanced, low carbon, high performance micro-launch" rocket called "Orbex Prime".

The new investments secure the roadmap to the first launch of Orbex’s vertical launch vehicle, Orbex Prime, from the Space Hub Sutherland spaceport in Scotland. Incorporating a wide range of advanced materials for its development, the launch vehicle boasts a 3D-printed rocket engine manufactured in a single piece without joins in partnership with additive manufacturer SLM Solutions (Lübeck, Germany). The vehicle is also built out of graphene-enhanced carbon fiber composites for the main structures and tanks.

Graphene-Info’s short review on Covid-19 and graphene

The Coronavirus pandemic has been having a significant impact on the graphene market and industry. Even before the pandemic, graphene has already received much attention due to promising antimicrobial properties and demonstrated antiviral efficacy. However, there is no denying the recent urgency to put these traits to good use in combating the Coronavirus.

Click here to read the full review on companies that adapted to the current pandemic, and launched graphene-enhanced products relating to the Coronavirus, like textiles, inks and coatings, incorporated into personal protective gear (face masks, gloves etc.), and applications like air filters and room cleansers have been developed.

Hands-on review of SpaceBlue's graphene-enhanced floor mat

A couple of months ago, UK-based SpaceBlue launched a graphene-enhanced flooring product called SpaceMat. The company sent us a floor mat for review here at Graphene-Info.

Reviewing a floor mat isn't easy - there's not much to do with it, so we decided to use it in our home for a few months - and let nature and our family of six (plus a husky) do its thing. Click here to read how it held up!

The end-of-the-year tradition continues: Graphene-Info's top 10 graphene applications of 2020!

2020 has been a challenging year for the graphene industry, in light of the pandemic that has tipped everyone off balance. However, many in the graphene industry and academia were quick to adapt and develop graphene-based solutions and technologies.

Click here to see what 2020's top ten graphene applications were, ranked by the references at Graphene-Info. How did the Coronavirus influence the results? Go in to find out!

The best of 2020 - top graphene stories on Graphene-Info

2020 will soon be over - a fact that many find comforting, hoping that 2021 will bring the COVID-19 pandemic to an end. The entire world was affected, and the graphene industry and academia have been adapting quickly in developing graphene-based technologies that could assist in the fight against the Coronavirus.

Click here to find out what were the top 10 stories posted on Graphene-Info in 2020, ranked by popularity (i.e. how many people read the story).

ZEN Graphene Solutions has announced that it has developed a potential graphene-based antibiotic, antiviral and antifungal compound.

Billabong's Furnace range of wet-suites, enhanced with graphene materials, are now shipping.

Applied Graphene Materials has announced that its customer, Halo Autocare, a leading innovator in car care products, has launched Graphene Alloy Wheel Wax as part of its EZ Car Care range of products.

Paragraf, UK-based graphene electronic sensors and devices company, announced that it is helping to realize an industry first by implementing a supply chain for graphene Hall-Effect sensors used in high-temperature Power Electronics, Electric Machines and Drives (PEMD) within the aerospace sector.

Researchers at Sweden-based Chalmers University of Technology, in collaboration with researchers in China and Italy, have found that graphene-based heat pipes can help solve the problems of cooling electronics and power systems used in avionics, data centers, and other power electronics.

AIXTRON has developed, built and installed a new, specific industrial grade reactor for graphene and hexagonal Boron Nitride (hBN) processing on 200 mm epi-wafers.

Versarien has announced that it has agreed to acquire certain graphene production related assets and intellectual property from South Korea based Hanwha Aerospace, for (the equivalent to) £4.34 million (around USD$5.8 million).

Sparc Technologies has established a new graphene bio-medical division aimed at developing non-invasive graphene-based breath sensing devices for detection of diseases in humans and animals.

An international research team, led by the University of Vienna, has shown that structures built around a single layer of graphene allow for strong optical nonlinearities that can convert light.

Researchers from Princeton, in collaboration with the National Institute for Materials Science in Japan, have discovered that, under certain conditions, interacting electrons in ‘magic angle' graphene can create topological quantum states.

An international team of researchers has used graphene to design a stretchable system that can harvest energy from human breathing and motion for use in wearable health-monitoring devices.