Graphene Foam: Introduction and News - Page 2
Researchers develop sensors based on graphene foam for better prosthetics and robotics
Researchers from Integrated Graphene and the University of the West of Scotland (UWS) have reported a project to develop graphene-enhanced pressure sensors that provide enhanced capabilities to robots, helping improve their motor skills and dexterity. The project was supported by the Scottish Research Partnership in Engineering (SRPe) and the National Manufacturing Institute for Scotland (NMIS) Industry Doctorate Program in Advanced Manufacturing.
Professor Des Gibson, Director of the Institute of Thin Films, Sensors and Imaging at UWS and project principal investigator, said: Over recent years the advancements in the robotics industry have been remarkable, however, due to a lack of sensory capabilities, robotic systems often fail to execute certain tasks easily. For robots to reach their full potential, accurate pressure sensors, capable of providing greater tactile ability, are required. Our collaboration with Integrated Graphene Ltd, has led to the development of advanced pressure sensor technology, which could help transform robotic systems.
Ford Motor develops graphene-enhanced PU foam that lowers noise and weight in vehicles
At a recent conference, Ford Motor presented its innovative graphene-enhanced polyurethane (PU) foam that reduces noise in automobiles while also lowering their weight. The material was chosen as a finalist for the Polyurethane Innovation Award, given by the Center for the Polyurethanes Industry (CPI) during the conference. The foam is said to be used in all of Ford's North American vehicles.
One of the biggest challenges in developing the foam was dispersing a nanomaterial like graphene into a viscous polymer and keeping it from collapsing during mixing, said Alper Kiziltas, technical expert, sustainability and emerging materials at Ford.
Researchers experiment with LIG to create improved wearable health devices
A Penn State-led international research team (led by Professor Huanyu Larry Cheng at Penn State) recently published two studies that could boost research and development of future motion detection, tactile sensing and health monitoring devices.
There are various substances that can be converted into carbon to create graphene through laser radiation, in a process called laser-induced graphene (LIG). The resulting product can have specific properties determined by the original material. The team set out to test this process and has reached interesting conclusions.
Graphene foam assists in building a "thermal switch" that dynamically moderates heat of electronic devices
lithium ion batteries used in extreme heat or cold can be prone to malfunctions and low performance. Purdue University engineers have developed a solution: a "thermal switch" made of compressible graphene foam, that dynamically adjusts to temperatures both inside and outside the device to maintain consistent thermal management.
As electronic devices get smaller and more powerful, managing heat becomes a more crucial issue, said Xiulin Ruan, professor of mechanical engineering, who studies nanoscale heat transfer and sustainable energy. Most devices use passive thermal management, such as conduction and convection, to move excess heat. But this system isn’t tunable or adjustable, and doesn’t help at all in cold conditions.
Integrated Graphene launches 3D graphene foam and raises almost USD$4 million
Integrated Graphene (formerly known as RD Graphene), developers of hyper-sensitive 3D graphene foam electrodes, have set their aims on the human diagnostics market and are aiming to enable better biosensors with improved performance and speed. The company has launched its flagship 3D graphene foam process in their first product, Gii-Sens.
The company launched its first product in conjunction with its new Integrated Graphene brand, in hopes that these steps will mark the first steps on an ambitious commercial journey to establish themselves as a leading producer of pure 3D graphene foam. In addition, the Company led a funding round in which it has raised £3.1 million (almost USD$4 million). This latest investment round follows £300,000 in seed funding from six private investors in March 2019, plus a variety of grant funding totaling £1.8m raised since 2014.
The Graphene Light project recieves funds to produce prototype devices
In May 2017 we reported the the Institute of Low Temperature and Structure Research (Wroclaw, Poland) developed a new efficient white light source that uses graphene foam excitated by a continuous-wave laser. We have seen a demonstration of the technology at IDTechEx 2019 (see video below).
We have recently spoken with Prof. Krzysztof Piech who updated us on the project's process. Prof. Piech tells us that the research team received a grant of around $130,000 to develop the technology, and are expecting to soon receive a $270,000 grant that will enable the production of a series of prototypes. We hope to update once these prototypes can be demonstrated.
The Graphene Light project demonstrates its laser graphene foam lighting device
In May 2017 we reported on a new project at the Institute of Low Temperature and Structure Research (Wroclaw, Poland) that developed a new efficient white light source that uses graphene foam excitated by a continuous-wave laser.
The project is still in progress, and the researchers demonstrated the technology at IDTechEx Graphene & 2D Materials Europe 2019 earlier this month, as can be seen in our video above.
Graphene-based foam maintains texture at extreme temperatures
Researchers from Nankai University in China and Rice University in the U.S. have developed a type of graphene-based foam that retains its texture when exposed to extremely cold temperatures.
Structure of the 3D graphene foam
The researchers note that almost all materials become more brittle and stiffer when exposed to very cold temperatures, often leading to loss of strength. In this new work, the researchers sought to find a material that would spring back after being crushed while exposed to extreme temperatures. To that end, they turned to graphene as a possible solution.
Graphene foam to potentially offer better treatment for joint diseases and eliminate the need for joint replacement
A new study out of Boise State University in the U.S may one day lead to new graphene-based treatments for osteoarthritis, potentially preventing the need for joint replacement.
The study investigates the compressive mechanical properties of graphene foam soft tissue composites. Previous studies have shown graphene foam’s compatibility with chondrogenic cell lines for cartilage tissue engineering. This is reportedly the first study to focus on the viscoelastic behavior of the engineered tissue to test the functionality of the grown cartilage.
Rice University team creates 3D objects from graphene foam
Rice University scientists have developed a simple way to create conductive, 3D objects made of graphene foam. The resulting objects may offer new possibilities for energy storage and flexible electronic sensor applications, according to Rice chemist Prof. James Tour.
The technique is an extension of groundbreaking work by the Tour lab that produced the first laser-induced graphene (LIG) in 2014 by heating inexpensive polyimide plastic sheets with a laser. The laser burns halfway through the plastic and turns the top into graphene that remains attached to the bottom half. LIG can be made in macroscale patterns at room temperature.
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