Graphene thermal conductivity - introduction and latest news
Graphene thermal conductivity
Thermal transport in graphene is a thriving area of research, thanks to graphene's extraordinary heat conductivity properties and its potential for use in thermal management applications.
The measured thermal conductivity of graphene is in the range 3000 - 5000 W/mK at room temperature, an exceptional figure compared with the thermal conductivity of pyrolytic graphite of approximately 2000 W/mK at room temperature. There are, however, other researches that estimate that this number is exaggerated, and that the in-plane thermal conductivity of graphene at room temperature is about 2000-4000 W/mK for freely suspended samples. This number is still among the highest of any known material.
Graphene is considered an excellent heat conductor, and several studies have found it to have unlimited potential for heat conduction based on the size of the sample, contradicting the law of thermal conduction (Fourier's law) in the micrometer scale. In both computer simulations and experiments, the researchers found that the larger the segment of graphene, the more heat it could transfer. Theoretically, graphene could absorb an unlimited amount of heat.
The thermal conductivity increases logarithmically, and researchers believe that this might be due to the stable bonding pattern as well as being a 2D material. As graphene is considerably more resistant to tearing than steel and is also lightweight and flexible, its conductivity could have some attractive real-world applications.
But what exactly is thermal conductivity?
Heat conduction (or thermal conduction) is the movement of heat from one object to another, that has a different temperature, through physical contact. Heat can be transferred in three ways: conduction, convection and radiation. Heat conduction is very common and can easily be found in our everyday activities - like warming a person,s hand on a hot-water bottle, and more. Heat flows from the object with the higher temperature to the colder one.
Thermal transfer takes place at the molecular level, when heat energy is absorbed by a surface and causes microscopic collisions of particles and movement of electrons within that body. In the process, they collide with each other and transfer the energy to their neighbor, a process that will go on as long as heat is being added.
The process of heat conduction mainly depends on the temperature gradient (the temperature difference between the bodies), the path length and the properties of the materials involved. Not all substances are good heat conductors - metals, for example, are considered good conductors as they quickly transfer heat, but materials like wood or paper are viewed as poor conductors of heat. Materials that are poor conductors of heat are referred to as insulators.
How can graphene,s exciting thermal conduction properties be put to use?
Some of the potential applications for graphene-enabled thermal management include electronics, which could greatly benefit from graphene's ability to dissipate heat and optimize electronic function. In micro- and nano-electronics, heat is often a limiting factor for smaller and more efficient components. Therefore, graphene and similar materials with exceptional thermal conductivity may hold an enormous potential for this kind of applications.
Graphene's heat conductivity can be used in many ways, including thermal interface materials (TIM), heat spreaders, thermal greases (thin layers usually between a heat source such as a microprocessor and a heat sink), graphene-based nanocomposites, and more.
Graphene oxide-bridged carbon fiber skeleton delivers 41-fold thermal conductivity boost for electronics cooling
Researchers from the Institute of Metal Research (Chinese Academy of Sciences), the University of Science and Technology of China, and Xi'an Rare Metal Materials Institute Co., Ltd. have developed a new thermal interface material (TIM) that combines high thermal conductivity with the compressibility needed to fill microscopic air gaps between heat-generating components and heat sinks - a combination that has been difficult to achieve in a single material.
The team built a vertically oriented, porous skeleton from short pitch-based carbon fibers (CFs), which have an exceptional axial thermal conductivity of 900 W/m·K, and bridged the individual fibers together using a small amount of graphene oxide (GO). "Graphene oxide acts as an inorganic adhesive," said Dr. Han Wang, co-corresponding author of the study. "It effectively bonds individual carbon fibers together through π–π interactions, creating continuous thermal transport pathways while significantly reducing interfacial thermal resistance. This is a key advantage over traditional polymer binders like cellulose, which hinder heat flow."
Haydale launches JustHeat Pro platform for commercial estates
Haydale has launched JustHeat Pro, a new B2B platform designed to help commercial and public‑sector estates cut emissions, control energy costs and reduce exposure to fossil‑fuel volatility. JustHeat Pro addresses the challenge of moving away from gas‑linked heating by combining Haydale’s graphene‑enabled electric underfloor heating technology with a full end‑to‑end delivery framework.
The platform integrates design and specification, heat‑load calculations, CAD layouts, installation support, commissioning, installer training, Measurement & Verification, and managed project delivery, giving clients a structured route to implement electric heating at scale.
Introducing LTDF-graphene and three target applications: critical minerals, rare-earth-free magnets and cooler power electronics
US-based Avadain has developed a novel graphene type, which it brands as Large, Thin, Defect-Free (LTDF) graphene, which is meant to position graphene around high value applications, including three strategic use cases: reducing dependence on foreign-sourced critical minerals, strengthening rare-earth-free iron nitride (Fe₂₁₆N₂) permanent magnets, and improving heat dissipation in high-power electronics.
LTDF graphene, SEM image
Why LTDF graphene's physics are different
Avadain says that graphene's performance ceiling is set by three parameters acting together: flake size, layer count and defect density. Most commercial graphene falls short on at least one of these, which is why products marketed as "graphene" often behave more like graphite or amorphous carbon in practice.
Large Surface Area: Every flake boundary acts as a scattering point for electrons, phonons and mechanical load, so larger, continuous flakes translate into fewer interruptions and performance closer to graphene's intrinsic limits. Graphene nanoparticles sit at the opposite end of that spectrum: Avadain says its LTDF flakes run in the 25-100+ µm² range, roughly five orders of magnitude larger than the sub-micron nanoparticles sold by many graphene producers, which tend to clump and form discontinuous conductive pathways.
TCMC launches Carbonix Materials to establish US supply chain for graphene and advanced battery materials
Taiwan Carbon Materials Corporation (TCMC) has launched Carbonix Materials as its US subsidiary, establishing operations in New York State to build a domestic supply chain for advanced battery and thermal-management materials. The expansion is led by TCMC co-founder and CEO Dr. Yi-Jun Lin, with Binghamton, NY selected as the company’s US hub.
Founded in 2020, TCMC develops advanced carbon-based materials used in lithium-ion batteries, thermal management systems, and graphene films designed for heat dissipation. The company’s products are already in use by electronics manufacturers, energy storage developers, and research institutions across Asia and Europe, and its technology portfolio includes more than 45 patents.
SHT launches new graphene-based product called GT50R
Chalmers University spin off, SHT Smart High-Tech, has launched a new graphene-based product called GT50R, designed for battery cooling and power electronics. GT50R is developed from recycled waste material.
The product's properties are said to "open new market opportunities" for the company, particularly within battery cooling for electric vehicles and energy storage, as well as the cooling of complex power electronics: segments that demand higher mechanical performance than existing materials on the market can currently provide.
Solidion Technology announces patented extreme-climate battery technology targeting aerospace and AI applications
Solidion Technology has announced a 'patented breakthrough' in extreme-climate battery technology and its strategic positioning within the rapidly expanding space and lunar economy. As commercial space activity accelerates, Solidion's Generation Extreme-Climate Battery (Gen-ECB) platform is engineered to deliver reliable, high-performance power storage for satellites, Low Earth Orbit (LEO)-based AI data centers, crewed spacecraft, and future lunar infrastructure.
Protected by multiple patents, Solidion's Gen-ECB harnesses the exceptional thermal conductivity and radiation resistance of graphene to actively regulate temperature within battery cells - rapidly dissipating heat to prevent thermal runaway and, when needed, drawing warmth from external sources such as solar panels to maintain stable operations in extreme cold. The result is a battery system proven to operate reliably from −80°C to +60°C, with ongoing development targeting even broader temperature ranges for deep-space missions.
Linktop launches graphene-based cooling headband
China-based developer and manufacturer of smart wearables and telehealth devices, Linktop, has launched the Lifestone Graphene Cooling Headband, a wearable device designed to enhance athletic endurance by reducing core body temperature and heart rate during high-intensity activities. The headband uses graphene's thermal conductivity to enable passive heat dissipation without batteries or evaporative cooling.
The technology is reportedly based on exercise physiology research showing that lower core temperature leads to reduced heart rate, delayed fatigue and improved endurance performance.
Ming Shing Group to acquire PMA Nano Carbon Technology for US$110 million
Hong Kong–based Ming Shing Group Holdings has entered into a stock purchase agreement to acquire PMA Nano Carbon Technology for US$110 million.
PMA Nano Carbon Technology is a Singapore-based company that develops graphene‑based thermal management and heating solutions for electronics, mobility and related applications. Interestingly, PMA Nano Carbon was established only last month, which makes this whole acquisition highly surprising.
Laser-induced graphene on Kevlar enables multifunctional structural composites
Researchers from IMDEA Materials Institute, Polytechnic University of Madrid, University Rey Juan Carlos, Universidad Politécnica de Madrid (UPM), National Institute for Aerospace Technology (INTA) and Universidad Francisco de Vitoria have developed a multifunctional fiber-reinforced polymer composite that integrates strain sensing, electromagnetic shielding and thermal management within a structural laminate.
The team fabricated laser-induced graphene (LIG) directly on Kevlar fabric via laser photothermal conversion, then incorporated this LIG@Kevlar layer into basalt fiber/biobased epoxy laminates using vacuum infusion, a process compatible with industrial-scale manufacturing. This in-situ conversion strategy avoids separate LIG films or transfer steps, helping to maintain interlaminar integrity and eliminating foreign interfaces that could otherwise weaken the composite.
GMG focuses on oil and gas industry with Curran International THERMAL-XR® deal
Graphene Manufacturing Group (GMG) has announced the signing of a global distribution agreement with Curran International for THERMAL-XR® and for exclusive application services for the product oil and gas/LNG industry.
Curran International is a global provider of heat transfer technologies working with some of the world's largest oil and gas companies like Exxon Mobil, BP, Philips 66, Chevron, Shell, Marathon, Citgo, Aramco, Total, Sabic, Motiva, Reliance, ONGC, HMEL, Cenovus, Suncor Energy and Satorp.
