September 2022

Graphmatech and Steelhead Composites have announced a collaboration on the development and production of a new high performance type IV pressure vessel liner. Expected improvements include reduced hydrogen leakage and increased resistance to extreme thermal and pressure conditions.

The partnership will combine Steelhead Composites’ leading pressure vessel technology, services, and market position with Graphmatech’s graphene-polymer composites for the hydrogen economy.

In August 2022, Graphene Manufacturing Group (GMG) announced its plan to acquire THERMAL-XR's IP and brand from OzKem. Now, GMG said it has completed this acquisition. GMG noted that OzKem developed the THERMAL-XR coating system products using GMG graphene together with OzKem's base Heating Venting and Air Conditioning (HVAC) coating.

GMG added that it now owns the THERMAL-XR brand, will buy the base coatings product from OzKem, and will manufacture the THERMAL-XR products containing GMG graphene.

NTT Corporation and the National Institute for Materials Science (NIMS) have jointly reported the realization of what they define as "the world's fastest zero-bias operation (220 GHz) of a graphene photodetector (PD)". The research conducted by NTT and NIMS has also, according to the statement, clarified the optical-to-electrical (O-E) conversion process in graphene for the first time.

Graphene is a promising photodetection material for enabling high-speed O-E conversion at wavelength ranges where existing semiconductor devices cannot operate, thanks to its high sensitivity and high-speed electrical response to a wide range of electromagnetic waves, from terahertz (THz) to ultraviolet (UV). However, until now, the demonstrated zero-bias operating speed has been limited to 70 GHz due to conventional device structure and measurement equipment. For this reason, the challenge for graphene PDs is to demonstrate 200-GHz operation speeds and clarify graphene's inherent properties, such the process of optical-to-electrical conversion.

Haydale and Atomi have announced they will be working together on a project aimed at developing high-performance, intelligent concrete. Using graphene and adding sensor technology, the next generation of strengthened concrete reportedly has the potential to reduce CO₂ emissions by more than 30% while offering performance indicators during its lifetime thanks to intelligent sensors capable of capturing real-time data.

Graphene-enhanced concrete is a relatively new development but has been gaining traction and is already being tested around the world, including in several construction projects in the UK. To learn more about graphene-enhanced construction materials, don't miss Graphene-Info's new report. 

Today we published a new edition of our Graphene Investment Guide, with all the latest information, including new companies that are now trading, and financial updates and news from all public graphene companies. In the last few months share price of almost all graphene companies dropped - as the financial markets faced a global decline. Our updated guide may help to navigate the current graphene financial markets turmoil!

The Graphene Investment Guide includes:

• An introduction to graphene
• An overview of graphene's most exciting applications
• An analysis of graphene's potential
• Market forecasts from leading analysts
• Detailed descriptions and financials of all public graphene companies
• Over 80 financial reports and company presentations (premium edition only)
• Graphene-Info's own investment thesis and action plan

Any technology-driven investor that wishes to stay current on the most promising new nanotechnology should look into this report. The report includes extensive data and information needed to launch a successful strategic graphene investment portfolio.

Versarien recently entered a commercial agreement with BiaBrazil, a Brazilian sports and activewear manufacturer, for the integration of Versarien's Graphene-Wear technology into a new range of women and men's activewear garments. This agreement follows a 16-month phase of work between the two companies.

Versarien, in a statement, said it will make further announcements regarding launch dates for the line of products though noted that it expects they will be available for sale during Q1 2023 in the UK and worldwide.

Zentek recently announced the successful completion of sand erosion testing at the National Research Council (“NRC”) in Ottawa and rain erosion testing at the Anti-icing Materials International Laboratory (“AMIL”) in Quebec on Zentek’s patent-pending Icephobic Coatings. These results were said to demonstrate that the company’s icephobic technology is durable in adverse conditions for both wind turbine and drone industries, where Zentek is currently maintaining its focus.

“We are very happy with both the performance and durability test results for our icephobic coating and look forward to continued testing and demonstration of our technology,” said Greg Fenton, CEO of Zentek. “Ice accretion is a significant problem in the drone and wind turbine industries with few robust solutions currently available. We believe our patent-pending technology may be a new innovative approach to addressing a significant global need and look forward to continued discussions with drone and wind turbine market participants who see value in potentially more effective icephobic technologies.”

Researchers from the UK's Imperial College London have developed graphene-based flexible clothing sensors that can detect body movement, with potential applications in injury rehabilitation, human-computer interaction systems, and athletic training. 

The researchers produced a new type of graphene-based TPU/textile composite sensor using small-scale manufacturing techniques such as laser cutting, film coating, and thermal transfer.    

Personal protection equipment maker, MCR Safety, recently introduced CT1071, a new Cut Level ‘E’ safety glove made with graphene fibers. It offers a choice of different coatings designed for different tasks and working environments. CT1071 has a 15-gauge shell specifically designed to take advantage of the ultra-lightweight nature of the new fibers. It’s a Cut Level ‘E’ glove yet it’s reportedly 25% lighter than similar gloves offering the level of protection. It is also designed to be comfortable and easy to wear.

As this fiber isn’t blended with any glass or steel, the high-level cut protection is maintained throughout the life of the glove. No fiber breakage means high durability, high comfort and no irritation. The diaphanous Nitrile Micro-Foam coating enables enhanced grip, even in oily conditions. 

Martinrea International, a global automotive supplier of value-added lightweight structures and propulsion systems (that has a collaboration with NanoXplore), was named a 2022 Automotive News PACE Award winner at the awards ceremony on September 19. 

Martinrea was recognized for its brake lines with GrapheneGuard, which is said to be the first use of graphene in an automotive brake line application. Martinrea recognized the potential of graphene and developed the revolutionary GrapheneGuard coating technology which incorporates graphene into nylon. The development of GrapheneGuard is a convergence of material science innovation and process engineering that brings to the automotive market a brake line coating that reportedly has unmatched properties. The material can provide up to 25 percent weight savings while simultaneously demonstrating superior strength, greater abrasion protection, and improved chemical resistance, all while utilizing current manufacturing equipment and processes.