U.S-based motorcycle maker Indian Motorcycle has launched a new graphene-based technology Called ClimaCommand Classic Seat, which aims to deliver both heating and cooling to riders and passengers. The thermo-electric technology reportedly raises the bar on cooling, providing a much more effective solution than HVAC convection systems.

A critical performance benefit of the ClimaCommand technology is that it actually produces a surface that’s cold to the touch, rather than merely pushing cool air through perforations in the surface in the manner that HVAC system offerings operate.

A team of Brown University researchers has found a way to double the toughness of a ceramic material used to make solid-state lithium ion batteries. The new strategy could be useful in bringing solid-state batteries to the mass market.

There’s huge interest in replacing the liquid electrolytes in current batteries with ceramic materials because they’re safer and can provide higher energy density, said Christos Athanasiou, a postdoctoral researcher in Brown’s School of Engineering and lead author of the research. So far, research on solid electrolytes has focused on optimizing their chemical properties. With this work, we’re focusing on the mechanical properties, in the hope of making them safer and more practical for widespread use.

Sweden-based 2D fab has recently closed a new share issue of approximately €700,000. The capital will primarily be used for developing the organization and for commercializing the Company's graphene products.

The share issue was directed to a limited number of investors, having received the offer either via the company's executive management or via G&W Fondkommission. Through this transaction 2D fab received eleven new owners, among them Malmö based Polynom Investment.

Alé Cycling recently released a graphene-enhanced cycling shirt called the Velocity G+ jersey. The new jersey sells for around £230 and uses a graphene-based fabric that Alé claims allows an active interaction between the body and the fabric.

Alé says that this new G+ fabric is able to effectively equalize body temperature, creating the ideal microclimate to keep cyclists comfortable even in the most unpleasant weather conditions.

New research at the University of Manchester's National Graphene Institute focuses on graphene-enhanced smart adaptive clothing which can lower the body temperature of the wearer in hot climates.

The team of scientists has created a prototype garment to demonstrate dynamic thermal radiation control within a piece of clothing by utilizing the remarkable thermal properties and flexibility of graphene. The development also opens the door to new applications such as, interactive infrared displays and covert infrared communication on textiles.

Paragraf has entered into a working partnership with the Magnetic Measurement section at CERN, the European Organization for Nuclear Research, to demonstrate how new opportunities for magnetic measurements are opened up through the unique properties of its graphene sensor, particularly its negligible planar Hall effect.

Paragraf and CERN scientists setting up the graphene Hall sensor for performance evaluation in the reference dipole magnet of CERN’s magnetic measurement section. Credit: Paragraf/CERN

The Magnetic Measurements section at CERN is in charge of testing magnets for these accelerators using the latest-available techniques and instruments. High precision and reliable measurements are performed for many of CERN’s ongoing projects, and therefore the team is always on the lookout for new sensors and transducers for improving their measurement methods and accuracy.

UK-based planarTECH has recently concluded a successful equity crowdfunding campaign, as part of Graphene-Info's Graphene Crowdfunding Arena. The company's CEO, J. Patrick Frantz, was kind enough to answer a few questions we had and give his advice for graphene companies that consider the equity crowdfunding option.

Thank you for this interview. You have recently concluded a successful graphene crowdfunding campaign. Well done. Can you summarize this experience for us?

Well, given the current situation with COVID-19, it was certainly an emotional rollercoaster ride to get through the crowdfunding. If I recall correctly, we launched the campaign in private live mode in January as the pandemic started to unfold. We stayed in private mode for a while but finally went public" in March as the crisis was reaching its most severe point in Europe.

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UK-based cycling brand AbsoluteBlack has added a new graphene chain lube product to its portfolio, which comes with considerable promises of efficiency, impressive watt savings, and a rather high price.

The cycling brand's newly developed hydrocarbon lubricant contains graphene, and AbsoluteBlack claims that its formulation has outstanding durability per application, delivering reduced friction for prolonged periods of use.

A team of researchers from Nanyang Technological University, University of Chemistry and Technology Prague, and the King Saud University have 3D printed graphene-based electrodes capable of detecting mycotoxin zearalenone (aka ZEA, poisonous secondary metabolites) in food. The scientists believe their study could pave the way for a novel method of food safety assurance.

According to the study, contaminated products can lead to cancer or even death in humans. For this reason, timely and reliable methods of detecting mycotoxins are crucial for food inspectors to mitigate the spread and keep the products in food storage facilities safe until they reach the shelf.