Researchers from the University of Birmingham (which lead the research), University of Cambridge and National Centre for Nanoscience & Technology in Beijing designed the world’s thinnest, tunable, lightweight graphene-based lenses.

The project focused on designing Fresnel lenses, which are flat lenses consisting of concentric rings. The rings diffract light to create constructive interference. The other advantage of these lenses is that their optical performance can be tuned by changing the electrical properties of graphene.

Researchers at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign developed a single-step process to achieve 3D texturing of graphene and graphite, using a commercially available thermally activated shape-memory polymer substrate. 

Since crumpled graphene was shown to have modulated electrical and optical properties, finding methods to produce folded/crumpled graphene surfaces can be helpful for various applications, like electronics and biomaterials, electrodes for battery and supercapacitor applications, coating layers, omniphobic/anti-bacterial surfaces for advanced coating applications and more.

A simple way of cleaning water of various contaminants (from lead and mercury to dye and antibiotics) was shown in a proof-of-concept study at Monash University (that also involved MIT and Bristol University), using graphene oxide and magnets.

The method relies on strong magnets that draw charged particles out of water as it flows through a pipe. The particles are attached to tiny sheets of graphene oxide, which attract a huge range of toxins. Graphene oxide's ability to sponge metal ions made the new system a promising way of treating mine tailing dams.

Researchers at Trinity College Dublin invented a rubber-stamp printing method (GraFold) to introduce waves into graphene, in a simple and large-scale way. The printing process is done using computer modelling to show the behavior of the graphene films on the stamp and substrate, and the wavy graphene can be printed onto any type of surface allowing for more sophisticated investigations of its properties.

In this transfer printing process called GraFold, the excess graphene required for forming the folds is induced by using PDMS stamps with a relief pattern such that the graphene tension and adhesion is modulated across the stamp. The graphene is kept on a planar structure at first, then the supporting polymer is dissolved and the graphene layer can ease into the recessed patterns. The graphene inked stamp is then placed gently onto the destination substrate, and then the stamp is peeled away leaving the mechanically patterned graphene film attached to the substrate.

The UK's Whitworth Art Gallery reopened its doors, in a ceremony marked by a unique firework display.

Graphene Noble laureate Kostya Novoselov teamed up with an artist called Cornelia Parker to put together what was defined as the first cultural use of graphene: after collecting tiny graphene particles from some of the Whitworth’s most prized works, the artists created what they called a meteor shower, that to the rest of the viewers looked like a firework display. 

The American Rice University has recently opened a Joint Center for Carbon Nanomaterials along with China's Shandong University. This collaborative facility aims to study nanotechnology and expedite innovation and commercialization.

The center's opening took place in the first International Workshop on Engineering and Applications of Nanocarbon, held between January 31 February 2, 2015. 

We're happy to announce the second edition of graphene-info's very own The Graphene Handbook, the most comprehensive resource on graphene technology, industry and market - now updated for 2015. The graphene industry is still very young and changes are rapid - and the new edition includes information on new research activities, derived materials, innovative products on the market and many other current updates.

Reading this book, you'll learn all about:

• The properties of graphene
• Different production methods
• Possible graphene applications
• The latest graphene research
• The current market for graphene materials and products
• The main graphene challenges
• Other promising 2D materials

Researchers from Qingdao Institute of Bioenergy and Bioprocess Technology (QIBEBT) of the Chinese Academy of Sciences have developed high performance LICs (lithium ion capacitors) using graphene- based composites as electrodes. 

The researchers also developed LICs with a capacity of 150F, 1000F, 2000F and 3500F. The energy densities are above 45 Wh/L based on the volume of the cell. After 20,000 cycles of charge/discharge, the ratio of the capacity retention is as high as 84.3%.

Researchers at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln found that coats of graphene are able to protect delicate nanostructures from high temperatures. 

The scientists have shown that graphene makes nanostructures thermally stable, which means it expands their working range of temperatures. They established that graphene protects nanostructures based on cobalt and titanium, metals that feature significantly different physical and chemical properties. Their results suggest that graphene might be employed to also protect other metallic (and possibly nonmetallic) materials that might be used in nanotechnology.

Canada-based Group NanoXplore announced that it finalized an agreement for a non-brokered private placement financing totaling $2.725M CDN ($2.18 million USD) in December, 2014. The investors are several Canadian individuals with strong backgrounds in chemical and industrial markets and successful records of building successful technology enterprises.

The graphene producer and application developers hopes that these new investors will provide more than just funds - also knowledge and connection in target markets. NanoXplore aims to use the money to accelerate their customer acquisition and sales efforts. The company has seen a strong interest in their products over the last year, especially for applications in smart textiles and Li-ion batteries, as well as lubricants, paints, and polymers.