Graphene applications: what is graphene used for?
Graphene is a one-atom-thick sheet of carbon atoms arranged in a honeycomb-like pattern. Graphene is considered to be the world's thinnest, strongest and most conductive material - of both electricity and heat. All of these properties are exciting researchers and businesses around the world - as graphene has the potential to revolutionize entire industries - in the fields of electricity, conductivity, energy generation, batteries, sensors and more.
Mechanical strength
Graphene is the world's strongest material, and can be used to enhance the strength of other materials. Dozens of researchers have demonstrated that adding even a trace amount of graphene to plastics, metals or other materials can make these materials much stronger - or lighter (as you can use a smaller amount of material to achieve the same strength).
Such graphene-enhanced composite materials can find uses in aerospace, building materials, mobile devices, and many other applications.
Thermal applications
Graphene is the most heat conductive found to date. As graphene is also strong and light, it means that it is a great material for making heat-spreading solutions, such as heat sinks or heat dissipation films. This could be useful in both microelectronics (for example to make LED lighting more efficient and longer lasting) and also in larger applications - for example thermal foils for mobile devices. Huawei's latest smartphones, for example, have adopted graphene-based thermal films.
Energy storage
Since graphene is the world's thinnest material, it also extremely high surface-area to volume ratio. This makes graphene a very promising material for use in batteries and supercapacitors. Graphene may enable batteries and supercapacitors (and even fuel-cells) that can store more energy - and charge faster, too.
The advantages of graphene batteries
Coatings ,sensors, electronics and more
Graphene has a lot of promise for additional applications: anti-corrosion coatings and paints, efficient and precise sensors, faster and efficient electronics, flexible displays, efficient solar panels, faster DNA sequencing, drug delivery, and more.
Graphene is such a great and basic building block that it seems that any industry can benefit from this new material. Time will tell where graphene will indeed make an impact - or whether other new materials will be more suitable.
Researchers develop hybrid manganite-graphene sensor for magnetic field magnitude and direction measurement
Researchers from Lithuania's Center for Physical Sciences and Technology and Kaunas University of Technology have reported a novel hybrid magnetic sensor that combines the unique properties of manganite and graphene to measure both the magnitude and direction of a magnetic field.
The schematic drawing of the hybrid sensor. Image from: Scientific Reports
The sensor consists of a nanostructured manganite film to detect the magnetic field strength and a graphene layer to determine the angle between the magnetic field and the sensor plane. This dual sensor approach increases sensitivity over a wide range of magnetic field strengths and provides directional information, making it ideal for applications such as object positioning and navigation.
The Garland Company launches graphene-enhanced construction materials
The Garland Company, Inc., a Garland Industries company manufacturing and distributing high-performance solutions for the commercial building envelope based in Cleveland, Ohio, has announced the newest addition to its StressPly family of modified bitumen roofing membranes: StressPlyⓇ Max. This patent pending membrane is formulated for maximum strength, superior fire resistance, and exceptional weathering.
The StressPly Max membrane features a dual polyester and fiberglass reinforcement, delivering a high-tensile value further enhanced by a graphene modified bitumen. The incorporation of graphene into the asphaltic compound provides superior strength, with an internal reinforcement exceeding one thousand pounds.
AI-controlled 3D printer cooks food using graphene
Researchers at the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology have used graphene to develop a new 3D printer that can make food layer by layer as it prints, using artificial intelligence (AI) to design complex edible structures. This integrated system combines precision infrared heating with AI-driven design tools to address key limitations in automated food production: maintaining food safety during printing and creating intricate shapes without requiring technical expertise.
a). The step-by-step food 3D food fabrication process of the printing and in-line cooking device. b). Design features of the integrative 3D food printer. c) The print head unit has an extrusion tubing inlet, extrusion nozzle, and heater holder. d) The external shell of the infrared heater has a cone-shaped design to converge heat transmission to the targeted printing area. e) The schematic diagram of the fabrication of the LIG infrared heater. Image from: Advanced Materials
Automated food production faces unique challenges compared to manufacturing with traditional materials like plastics or metals. Food must be heated properly to ensure safety, yet maintaining the intended shape during cooking proves difficult. Current 3D food printers operate in two separate steps - first printing cold food paste, then transferring it to an oven or fryer. This approach often leads to deformed shapes and increased contamination risks as the food moves between machines. The new system integrates these steps using a specialized infrared heater made from laser-induced graphene (LIG). This ultra-thin heating element provides precise temperature control, with printed food layers reaching 137°C on the surface and maintaining at least 105°C on the sides throughout the printing process, while using just 14 watts of power - a fraction of the 1000-2000 watts consumed by conventional ovens and air fryers.
Sparc Technologies and Flinders University secure Australian government grant for graphene-enhanced aquaculture technology
Sparc Technologies and its partner Flinders University have been awarded funding under Australia’s Economic Accelerator (AEA) Ignite grant program. They will receive a grant of AU$353,098 (around US$220,800).
The 12-month project aims to accelerate development and validation of a graphene-enhanced material that can be utilized in aquaculture nets to mitigate biofouling and increase net strength and durability. This technology has the potential to result in a significant reduction in fish farm operational costs, environmental impact, biosecurity and fish health risks.
Universal Matter GBR and Tarmac use graphene additive on a public road in the UK
Universal Matter GBR has collaborated with Tarmac, the UK's largest road construction firm, and Redcar & Cleveland Borough Council to use the Genable™ Pavement additive road surface in the UK's North East. The innovative material, which is said to be more durable and environmentally friendly, was used on a public road in Teesside.
The addition of graphene to the asphalt is said to extend the road's lifespan by reducing rutting and cracking, and increasing resistance to potholes. This promises a 'smoother journey' for drivers and less damage to vehicles, potentially leading to 'significant reductions' in the carbon footprint of roads.
HydroGraph Partners with 'global fiber leader' to explore graphene-enhanced textiles
HydroGraph Clean Power has announced a technical collaboration with a leading global synthetic fiber manufacturer to explore the application of its graphene technology in high-performance fiber applications within the $191 billion global textile and technical fiber market.
This initiative aims to enhance fiber performance attributes such as mechanical durability and energy absorption, aligning with HydroGraph’s strategic focus on advanced material solutions.
OSG to adopt graphene-based propeller coatings on seven tankers
Following good results from a vessel treated with GIT Coatings’ graphene-based propeller coating XGIT-PROP in 2023, Tampa, Fla.-headquartered Overseas Shipholding Group Inc. (OSG) is to adopt the solution on seven further crude oil tankers.
The first application saw performance gains and fuel savings proven beyond expectations which was further validated by a third party with the vessel being tracked along its trade route covering the Pacific Ocean. “At OSG, we believe sustainable technology such as XGIT-PROP provides an opportunity for us to enhance our performance while also being stewards of the ocean,” said Eric Schreiber, director of operational excellence at OSG. “From the initial application study, XGIT-PROP is a proven product which both benefits vessel efficiency while also providing environmentally friendly impacts, which we will also consider for our new LCO2 vessel designs by Aptamus Carbon Solutions, a new subsidiary of OSG.”
New project to develop commercial perovskite solar modules with graphene electrodes
Frontier IP, a specialist in commercializing intellectual property, has announced that its portfolio company GraphEnergyTech (Frontier IP holds a 23.97% equity stake in GraphEnergyTech) has entered into a collaboration with the Taiwan Perovskite Solar Corporation, Taiwan's prestigious Industrial Technology Research Institute (ITRI), and the University of Cambridge to drive development of perovskite solar technology.
This new project that the four organizations have formed will be called Graphene Electrode Technology for Perovskite Solar Cells (or "GETPSC") and it has secured a £884,129 (over US$1,115,000) grant from Innovate UK.
GMG shares graphene engine lubricant performance testing results
Graphene Manufacturing Group (GMG) has announced the results of the multi-year performance testing of G® Lubricant, a graphene liquid concentrate additive designed to enhance the performance of diesel and gasoline (petrol) engines. This product, according to GMG, has the potential to reshape the future of the global liquid fuels industry and offers an innovative solution that optimizes efficiency and power for stationary or mobile engines.
Lubricant 500 ml pack (which can be used to dose 50 liters of engine oil). Image credit: GMG
GMG is in the process of preparing packaging and marketing materials for G® Lubricant, and expects to begin a direct marketing campaign, targeting fleet owners and initially commencing in Australia and then expanding into other markets from April 2025 onwards.
Nova Graphene signs MOU to co-develop graphene-enhanced polymer sheeting and greases
Canada-based Nova Graphene has signed a memorandum of understanding to co-develop graphene-enhanced polymer sheeting and greases in Australia.
The value of the deal was not announced, but it was finalized during a Team Canada trade mission to Australia. Nova Graphene's CEO, Paul Beasant, is part of the mission, and a news release describes the MOU as “a significant step toward advancing the development and commercialization of cutting-edge graphene applications in the Indo-Pacific region.”
