Graphene-Info: the graphene experts

Researchers at Zhejiang University in China have designed a graphene-based aerogel mimicking the structure of the "powdery alligator-flag" plant that could have potential for use in applications like flexible electronics.

The team drew inspiration from the stem structure of the powdery alligator-flag plant (Thalia dealbata), a strong, lean plant capable of withstanding harsh winds. The researchers used a bidirectional freezing technique that they previously developed to assemble a new type of biomimetic graphene aerogel that had an architecture like that of the plant's stem. When tested, the material supported 6,000 times its own weight and maintained its strength after intensive compression trials and was resilient. They also put the aerogel in a circuit with a LED and found it could potentially work as a component of a flexible device.

Researchers at the Argonne National Laboratory and Oregon State University in the U.S have designed a novel cathode architecture for lithium-sulphide batteries that consists of crystalline di-lithium sulphide nanoparticles encapsulated in few-layer graphene. The design is said to allow the maximum amount of active sulphur species to be incorporated into the electrode and so greatly improves its electrical conductivity. It also overcomes many of the major challenges associated with existing sulphur electrodes and di-lithium composites.

The Li₂S-graphene nanocapsules architecture can boast superior electrochemical properties. The electrodes have a high reversible capacity of 1160 mAh/g and area capacity of 8.1 mAh/cm2. The team synthesized the Li₂S@graphene nanocomposites in a one-step reaction in which they reacted lithium metal foils with CS₂ vapour carried by argon gas at 650°C. Li₂S nanocrystals and the tight wrapper of few-layer graphene are spontaneously generated, thus forming the nanocapsules. The Li₂ nanoparticles are between 50 and 80 nm in size and are uniformly and seamlessly encapsulated in about 10–20 graphene layers. This significantly reduces the charge-transfer resistance between the two materials and greatly improves the electric conductivity of Li2.

Researchers at Rice University and China's Tianjin University have used 3D laser printing to fabricate centimeter-sized graphene objects. The team has demonstrated the making of graphene foams from non-graphene starting materials, in a method that could reportedly be scaled for additive manufacturing applications with pore-size control. The process is conducted at room temperature, without the need for molds. The rather unusual starting materials are powdered sugar and nickel powder.

3D laser printers work differently than the more familiar extrusion-based 3D printers, which create objects by squeezing melted plastic through a needle as they trace out two-dimensional patterns. In 3D laser sintering, a laser shines down onto a flat bed of powder. Wherever the laser touches powder, it melts or sinters the powder into a solid form. The laser is rastered, or moved back and forth, line by line to create a single two-dimensional slice of a larger object. Then a new layer of powder is laid over the top of that layer and the process is repeated to build up three-dimensional objects from successive two-dimensional layers.

Directa Plus, a producer and supplier of graphene-based products, has teamed up with clothing manufacturer Alfredo Grassi to develop graphene-enhanced clothing, workwear, uniforms and more. This joint development agreement follows a trial of Directa’s graphene by Alfredo to assess the potential benefits of incorporating graphene into their products.

The initial focus under the deal will be on garments with linings printed with Graphene Plus combined with waterproof, breathable textiles. The presence of G+ graphene, which has reportedly been independently certified as non-toxic and non-cytotoxic, produces a technically advanced fabric with unique properties, the company claims.

A team of scientists from the Center for Materials for Electronics Technology (C-MET) and Savitribai Phule Pune University (SPPU) in India has reportedly managed to extract graphene from wild flowers (bougainvillea vines).

According to the scientists at C-MET and SPPU, these flowers, when dried and chemically treated, can be used to extract graphene. The team has fabricated supercapacitors using the produced graphene, and is now undertaking final trials of their performance. The experiment involved programmed heating of the dried petals, at temperatures ranging from 250 degrees Celsius to 1,000 degrees Celcius.

Exeter researchers have recently reported a new method to use graphene to produce photodetectors, which they feel could revolutionize the manufacturing of vital safety equipment, such as radiation and smoke detection units.

The Exeter team has created a new type of photodector that is said to be able to sense light around 4500 times better than traditional graphene sensors. This could possibly be implemented to create sensoring and imaging equipment that is more stable in harsh conditions, as well as been smaller and most cost-effective. The team stated that “In this work we demonstrate that dressing the structure of graphene with molecules can transform the optical and electrical response of this wonder material and enable unprecedented applications”.

Researchers at Swinburne University are progressing towards producing commercially viable, chemical-free, long-lasting, safe energy devices. The team is developing the Bolt Electricity Storage Technology (BEST) – a graphene oxide-based supercapacitor offering high performance and low-cost energy storage.

The team explains that this technology is this and environmentally friendly, and a patent was recently filed on it. It is reportedly on the brink of becoming a commercial prototype. Also stated was that investment in the technology's development will soon be under way through Graphene Solutions, a joint venture between graphite miner First Graphite Resources (FGR) and Australia-based electronics company Kremford.