The Graphene-Info newsletter (July 30, 2024)

Researchers from Pacific Northwest National Laboratory have found that reducing graphene oxide (GO) membranes with ultraviolet (UV) light alters the oxygen functional groups on the GO surface. This modification results in a different, chromatography-like separation mechanism that is selective for charge rather than size.

Image credit: Chemical Engineering Journal

Developing efficient, selective, and scalable separations for critical materials, including lithium and magnesium, is essential to meeting the increasing demands for clean energy technologies and alleviating challenges with domestic supply chains. GO membranes have shown promise for separating ions from mixed solutions based on size.

It was reported that Global Green USA, the American affiliate of nongovernmental organization Green Cross International, is formally endorsing and entering into a strategic partnership with Astera and the Carbon Conversion Group Inc. (CCG) as they look to convert industrial plastic scrap into high-grade graphene.

The firms say the partnership seeks to drastically reduce the landfill burden and carbon emissions. California-based Astera and CCG, a plastic recycling technology company that specializes in transforming industrial and commercial plastic scrap into synthetic graphene, graphite, hydrogen and other commodities based in Murfreesboro, Tennessee, will use technology that supports local industries, reduces reliance on imported graphene and aligns with the U.S.’ commitment to sustainability and reduced global supply chain vulnerabilities. 

Researchers from the Czech Republic's Palacký University’s CATRIN, the University of West Bohemia, and VSB-TUO have developed an innovative sensor capable of accurately measuring temperatures between 10 and 90 degrees Celsius. This novel sensor, based on a novel graphene derivative, stands out for its high precision, reliability, and resistance to humidity. Its applications range from industrial production and storage areas requiring remote temperature monitoring to integration into protective clothing.

“We developed the new material using fluorographene chemistry by removing fluorine atoms and attaching benzylamine to the available reactive sites. This proved to be a crucial step in creating the temperature sensor. This technology allowed us to significantly minimize the adverse effects of humidity, typically the most challenging issue for such devices,” explained Petr Jakubec from CATRIN, a co-author of the study published in the prestigious journal Advanced Electronic Materials.

NanoGraf, an advanced battery material company, announced earlier this month the successful completion of the first large volume production run of its M38 18650 cell for the U.S. military.

Nanograf, formerly called SiNode Systems, pursues advances in Lithium-ion battery anodes for a wide range of industries from consumer electronics to electric vehicles. NanoGraf explaines that it uses a proprietary silicon alloy-graphene material architecture to overcome the silicon anode technical hurdles. The combination of silicon-based alloys and a flexible 3D graphene network helps stabilize the active material during charge and discharge. The company’s manufacturing process is different from others that rely on expensive and complex vapor deposition-based systems. Instead, a wet chemistry process has been developed that is highly scalable and already proven in a multi-ton-scale pilot manufacturing line in Japan. The anode material drops into existing electrode mixing and coating equipment and has been validated in large-scale battery manufacturing facilities.

Zentek has announced that it will embark on a Canada-wide sampling program for dental professionals facilitated by Henry Schein that will see ZenGUARD™ Antimicrobial Surgical Masks included in product shipments to Henry Schein customers.

In addition to offering dental practitioners and their patients a surgical mask with improved protection against infectious agents, ZenGUARD™ Antimicrobial Surgical Masks are also said to be proven to eliminate 99.9% of bacteria, which can collect on the skin when wearing a surgical mask for extended periods and cause acne. The Company believes this program will introduce ZenGUARD™ Antimicrobial Surgical Masks and this unique value proposition to nearly all Henry Schein customers across Canada.

NTT Corporation, along with The University of Tokyo and National Institute for Materials Science (NIMS), showed that graphene plasmon wave packets can be generated, manipulated and read out on-chip using terahertz electronics.  

The team managed to electrically generate and control graphene plasmon wave packets with a pulse width of 1.2 picoseconds. This result shows that the phase and amplitude of a terahertz signal can be controlled electrically by using graphene plasmons. It enables terahertz signal processing, a method different from conventional electrical circuit technology using transistors and is expected to contribute to realizing ultrahigh-speed signal processing in the future.

Black Swan Graphene has announced a commercial agreement with Broadway Colours, a UK-based manufacturer of color and additive masterbatches, plastic compounds and rotational molding powders. The Company said the partnership aims to leverage Broadway’s technical expertise, manufacturing capabilities, distribution, and market reach to fast-track the commercialization of Black Swan’s graphene products.

Broadway will use Black Swan’s graphene nanoplatelets to manufacture their Graphene Enhanced Masterbatches (GEMs) targeting a variety of sectors including consumer goods, packaging, automotive, construction, defense, marine and logistics. Its new product range will also feature a bio-based polymer GEM, which Black Swan highlighted offers an eco-friendly alternative to the existing products.  

Versarien has announced it has raised £550,000 before expenses (over USD$700,000) by way of a placing new ordinary shares.

The net proceeds will be used for the purchase of concrete and mortar testing equipment to support the ongoing CementeneTMadmixture developments for BS934 accreditation, and for use in testing new mortars and products developed using the Company's 3D construction printing capability, in addition to general corporate and working capital purposes.

The Abu Dhabi Department of Economic Development (ADDED) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Inovartic Investment, a technology innovation company, to establish a facility in Abu Dhabi that will produce graphene and graphene-enhanced products.

The strategic collaboration marks a step towards enhancing advanced material manufacturing in the region and beyond and is aligned with Abu Dhabi’s vision to become a global hub for cutting-edge industries and technological innovation.