Graphene-Info: the graphene experts

Skeleton Technologies, an Estonia-based company that produces graphene-based supercapacitors and energy storage systems, is to invest €25 million in its plant located in the German state of Saxony. With this investment, Skeleton aims to expand its research and development as well as scale its production.

"In 2017, we announced our first stage in Saxony — €6.2 million were invested in the production of ultracapacitors in Großröhrsdorf," Skeleton co-founder and CEO Taavi Madiberk said in a press release. "We have successfully entered the market and helped save fuel and reduce emissions from buses, trucks, railway vehicles and industrial machinery".

Versarien recently reported that it has signed a term sheet with Beijing Institute of Graphene Technology covering the proposed cooperation between the parties to develop Versarien's graphene business in China.

Subject to the completion of due diligence and the entering into of formal documentation, the term sheet will see Beijing Institute assisting Versarien with the establishment of a wholly-owned subsidiary in China. The subsidiary would focus on the manufacture of Versarien's graphene and other 2D materials in China and their sale to Chinese customers.

Researchers from Nankai University in China and Rice University in the U.S. have developed a type of graphene-based foam that retains its texture when exposed to extremely cold temperatures.

Structure of the 3D graphene foam

The researchers note that almost all materials become more brittle and stiffer when exposed to very cold temperatures, often leading to loss of strength. In this new work, the researchers sought to find a material that would spring back after being crushed while exposed to extreme temperatures. To that end, they turned to graphene as a possible solution.

Archer Exploration has printed and patterned ink formulations of human antibodies on graphene-based biosensor components derived from the company’s Campoona graphite. Archer reports that ink formulations comprised primarily of human antibody immunoglobulin G (IgG) as the active constituent were successfully prepared and printed using proprietary methods.

An antibody ink formulation printed and patterned onto a resin-coated paper substrate

The IgG inks were printed on resin-coated paper and a number of graphene-based electrodes and were able to withstand the chemical and physical processes in the formulation, printing, and post-printing steps.

Norway-based Graphene Oxide developer Abalonyx reports that its graphene oxide sales have increased by about 80 % in 2018, and this follows a 70% increase in 2017 compared to 2016. The company expects to see further strong sales growth in 2019.

Abalonyx says that over 90% of its sales derive from returning industrial partners. The company also revealed two of these customers: ORA Graphene Audio with its GO membranes and Provexa AB which developed an anti-corrosion protection coating that is now being used on Scania trucks.

Researchers from the Graphene Flagship have developed hybrids of graphene and molybdenum disulphide quantum dots to stabilize perovskite solar cells (PSCs). PSCs are a novel type of solar cells which are efficient, relatively easy to produce, made with cheaper materials and, due to their flexibility, can be used in locations where traditional silicon solar cells cannot be placed.

A collaboration between the Graphene Flagship Partners Istituto Italiano di Technologia, University of Rome Tor Vergata, and BeDimensional resulted in a novel approach based on graphene and related materials to stabilize PSCs, thus addressing the stability issue of PSCs, a major hurdle hindering their commercialization.

Directa Plus has reported that it more than doubled annual revenues, as its various commercial partnerships started to generate orders. Total income in 2018 reportedly rose to €2.5 Million (compared to last year's €1.23 Million) with sales of €2.25 Million (compared to last year's €1 Million) if grants are excluded.

Directa has projects ongoing to incorporate graphene into textiles, pollution treatments and road surfaces.