June 2023

Researchers at Queen Mary University, University of Sussex and University of Brighton have integrated graphene into seaweed to create nanocomposite microcapsules for highly tunable and sustainable epidermal electronics. When assembled into networks, the tiny capsules can record muscular, breathing, pulse, and blood pressure measurements in real-time with ultrahigh precision.

The team explained that much of the current research on nanocomposite-based sensors is related to non-sustainable materials. This means that these devices contribute to plastic waste when they are no longer in use. The new study shows that it is possible to combine molecular gastronomy concepts with biodegradable materials to create such devices that are not only environmentally friendly, but also have the potential to outperform the non-sustainable ones.

Graphene is known to have an extremely quick response to incoming light, which leads scientists to believe it can potentially lead to applications like ultrafast photodetectors that could meet the ever-growing demand for internet bandwidth. However, graphene's exceptional thinness means that it absorbs light poorly, typically tapping only about 2% of a laser beam’s energy.

Now, scientists from Switzerland's ETH Zurich have shown how graphene’s speed might be exploitable after all, by integrating it with a tailor-made infrared absorber—a metamaterial consisting of an array of tiny gold antennas. The researchers have reportedly demonstrated a world-record photodetection bandwidth of 500 GHz combined with a flat frequency response across a broad part of the near-infrared spectrum. Although the device’s overall absorption still remains fairly low, they believe that its ability to deal with high input powers combined with further design optimizations could enable a new generation of graphene-based photodetectors.

In April, First Graphene (FGR) announced plans for major graphene-enhanced cement trials with a consortium that includes Breedon Cement, Morgan Sindall and the University of Manchester. Now, FGR confirmed the beginning of these trials using the company’s graphene in cement and concrete at the Breedon Group’s Hope Cement Works at Derbyshire in the United Kingdom.

The trials aim to build on smaller-scale trials with an accredited concrete processing laboratory in the UK, which First Graphene said “generated positive results”, and to further showcase the carbon dioxide reduction benefits of graphene additives. According to the company, the trial – with Breedon, Morgan Sindall Construction and the University of Manchester – will use approximately 1.2 tonnes of PureGRAPH 50 and create about 2,000 tonnes of graphene-enhanced cement at the works.

Researchers from California Institute of Technology (Caltech), The Lundquist Institute for Biomedical Innovation at Harbor-UCLA Medical Center, University of California Los Angeles and Cedars-Sinai Medical Center have designed a wearable and wireless patch for the real-time electrochemical detection of the inflammatory biomarker C-reactive (CRP) protein in sweat. CRP is secreted by the liver and is commonly associated with inflammation. Its presence in the bloodstream strongly indicates an underlying health condition. CRP is much more difficult to detect because it is at a much lower concentration than other biomarkers.

The device integrates iontophoretic sweat extraction, microfluidic channels for sweat sampling and for reagent routing and replacement, and a graphene-based sensor array for quantifying CRP (via an electrode functionalized with anti-CRP capture antibodies-conjugated gold nanoparticles), ionic strength, pH and temperature for the real-time calibration of the CRP sensor.

Zentek recently announced a new research and development contract through Innovative Solutions Canada to test ZenARMOR™ nano-pigment in military grade, chromate-free, corrosion protection aerospace paint systems.

The testing will be conducted under the supervision of Dr. Qi Yang, and Dr. Naiheng Song, Research Officers at the National Research Council of Canada (NRC) Aerospace Research Centre’s Aerospace Manufacturing Technologies Centre (AMTC).

Today we published a new edition of our Graphene Investment Guide, with all the latest information and financial updates from public graphene companies. The recent year has been very difficult for many graphene companies, as it is more challenging to raise funds and most companies are not yet cash positive. In fact many graphene companies struggle to generate meaningful revenues, and our guide shows that only 3 companies (out of the 23 we cover) generated positive returns in the last 12 months.

It is a time of consolidation in the industry - and investors should be careful when looking at early stage graphene companies.

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.

An international team of researchers from the Max Plank Institute for Polymer Research of Mainz (Germany), the Catalan Institute of Nanoscience and Nanotechnology (ICN2, Spain) and the University of Manchester (England) has found that water can interact directly with the carbon’s electrons: a quantum phenomenon that is very unusual in fluid dynamics.

A liquid, such as water, is made up of small molecules that randomly move and constantly collide with each other. A solid, in contrast, is made of neatly arranged atoms that are surrounded by a cloud of electrons. The solid and the liquid worlds are assumed to interact only through collisions of the liquid molecules with the solid’s atoms: the liquid molecules do not “see” the solid’s electrons. Nevertheless, just over a year ago, a theoretical study proposed that at the water-carbon interface, the liquid’s molecules and the solid’s electrons push and pull on each other, slowing down the liquid flow: this new effect was called quantum friction. However, the theoretical proposal lacked experimental verification.

Directa Plus has announced the start of a pilot project for a novel concept in produced water treatment. The Company said the project would use its ‘Grafysorber’ technology, and was being conducted through its subsidiary Setcar. The showcase of the pioneering endeavor reportedly took place at Setcar's Braila location in Romania

Produced water refers to the water that is extracted alongside crude oil during the oil production process. Currently, the water is disposed of without undergoing any treatment, but stricter industry regulations are driving the need for effective treatment solutions. Directa Plus said it was aiming to address the challenge with its new development, which had the potential to tap into untapped markets within the company's environmental division.

Haydale Graphene Industries expects revenue for the year ending June 30 to be ahead of market expectations, reporting strong performance in its U.S operation. However, this revenue rise will reportedly be offset by higher administrative costs linked to investments and an increase in overheads. Haydale's shares fell 9.5% this morning after the company cautioned that project delays will impact its results for the year to 30 June 2023.

The company said a number of projects which had been expected to start this month have been delayed until the first quarter next year. Haydale says gross profit is expected to be in line with market expectations. Year-end net cash is expected to be neutral in comparison to financial year 2022. Haydale also foresees that the momentum will continue into financial year 2024.

Graphite One, a mining company planning a complete domestic U.S. supply chain for advanced graphite materials, has announced that it has entered into a teaming agreement with Vorbeck Materials, a manufacturer involved in graphene production and advanced graphene applications.

Graphite One is planning to develop a complete U.S.-based, advanced graphite supply chain solution anchored by the Graphite Creek resource.