The Graphene-Info newsletter (August 3, 2021)

Gnanomat’s advanced materials were reportedly confirmed as competitive bifunctional catalysts in the air electrode of Secondary Zinc-air batteries (SZAB).

The tests carried out in SZAB prototypes using Gnanomat´s advanced materials as bifunctional catalysts for the air electrode showed outstanding performance in charge and discharge modes. In addition, the tests performed in prototype cells also showed great stability and cyclability, addressing one of the most challenging drawbacks of this technology.

ZTE recently launched the Axon 30, which reportedly uses a graphene-based cooling system. To be exact, the phone is said to have a “triple ice cooling system” comprising a large VC cooling plate, high power thermal gel, and graphene copper-based composite material.

The Axon 30 is launching first in China, but ZTE says “the global version is coming soon.”

Researchers from Kansas State University, led by Suprem Das, assistant professor of industrial and manufacturing systems engineering, in collaboration with Christopher Sorensen, university distinguished professor of physics, have shown potential ways to manufacture graphene-based nano-inks for additive manufacturing of supercapacitors in the form of flexible and printable electronics.

The team’s work could be adapted to integrate supercapacitors to overcome the slow-charging processes of batteries. Furthermore, Das has been developing additive manufacturing of small supercapacitors — called micro-supercapacitors — so that one day they could be used for wafer-scale integration in silicon processing.

Korean archer Kim Je-deok recently won two gold medals at the 2020 Summer Olympics in Tokyo, using a graphene-enhanced bow.

The bow was the creation of Korean sports equipment manufacturer Win&Win. The Company's' WIAWIS brand of bows also includes aluminum bows, and the athletes reportedly chose between aluminum and graphene bows based on their preferences.

Annemiek van Vleuten of the Dutch Cycling Team recently won a silver medal at the Tokyo Olympics in the road race, wearing a shirt printed with Directa Plus' graphene-enhanced Thermal Planar Circuit technology.

The shirts for the Dutch National Cycling Team used a high performance print made using Directa Plus' sustainable G+ graphene. TPC absorbs the heat produced by the body, distributing it inside the garment and dissipating it by interacting with the surrounding environment.

UK's G2O Water Technologies has reported securing its first commercial contract for the enhancement of water filtration membranes with graphene oxide.

The Company explains that the advantages of using graphene oxide lie in the enhancement of membrane performance, as it mitigates the effects of fouling – one of the biggest challenges operators of membrane-based water filtration systems face. With a coating of graphene oxide, successfully developed and piloted by the company in the northwest of England in collaboration with Hydrasyst Limited, operators can improve operational efficiency, reduce energy consumption and decrease chemical usage. It is anticipated that this will extend the lifetime of the membranes, as well as significantly reduce the cost and environmental impact of water treatment.

A research collaboration between The University of Adelaide in Australia and the National Physical Laboratory has led to the development of a validated analytical tool, thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), for the characterization and quality control of FLG and non-graphene impurities in powder form. TGA is typically used to assess and characterize the thermal properties and impurities of minerals, polymers, and carbon materials. However, its was found to have potential for use as a characterization tool for regulating the quality of graphene materials.

Now, this affordable, simple and reliable method of analysis could be used to improve the quality control measures used in the graphene industry.

HS2 London tunnels contractor Skanska Costain Strabag JV (SCS JV) is to pioneer the on-site of 3D printing of graphene-reinforced concrete. The technology, called ‘Printfrastructure’, promises to bring big environmental benefits and cost savings, if deployed more widely.

First proof of concept trials are scheduled to begin in the spring, using 5 tonne computer-operated robots. These will initially be used to build part of the retaining walls for the mainline out of Euston station as well as materials stores on the project.

Directa Plus recently announced that it has qualified for a total of €0.7 million in loans under the Italian government's Covid-19 recovery plan. The Company said it took advantage of the low-cost liquidity offered by the Italian Government, to accelerate its strategic program.

It said the funds were being provided in two tranches by Intesa Sanpaolo, being a €0.5 million loan and a €0.2 million leasing loan to fund the acquisition of new machinery for the company's production facility.