Medicine - Page 1 | Graphene-Info

Archer Materials reports progress on graphene-based lab-on-chip fabrication capabilities

In November 2020, Archer Materials announced its plan to develop a graphene-based lab-on-chip device. Now, the Company provided an update on the progress it has achieved - it demonstrated that it can fabricate nanosize biosensor components of 100-150 nanometer features on silicon wafers.

In the past, prior to Archer utilizing local semiconductor foundry fabrication techniques, it was limited to one sensor per ~1 cm^2.Now, with its in-house capability, it has miniaturized key biosensor components to chip-formats on silicon by nanofabrication translating to approx. over 1 million sensor components within a 1 cm² area.

Read the full story Posted: Mar 22, 2021

Researchers produce extremely conductive graphene-enhanced hydrogel for medical applications

An interdisciplinary research team of the Research Training Group (RTG) 2154 "Materials for Brain" at Kiel University (CAU) has developed a method to produce graphene-enhanced hydrogels with an excellent level of electrical conductivity. What makes this method special is that the mechanical properties of the hydrogels are largely retained. The material is said to have potential for medical functional implants, for example, and other medical applications.

"Graphene has outstanding electrical and mechanical properties and is also very light," says Dr. Fabian Schütt, junior group leader in the Research Training Group, thus emphasizing the advantages of the ultra-thin material, which consists of only one layer of carbon atoms. What makes this new method different is the amount of graphene used. "We are using significantly less graphene than previous studies, and as a result, the key properties of the hydrogel are retained," says Schütt about the current study, which he initiated.

Read the full story Posted: Mar 21, 2021

Researchers find that graphene can interact with excitatory synapses of the nervous system

A new research has shown that graphene is able to act on excitatory synapses and interfere with the development of anxiety-related behaviors. Carried out by SISSA – International School for Advanced Studies of Trieste, Catalan Institute of Nanoscience and Nanotechnology (ICN2) of Barcelona, and the National Graphene Institute of the University of Manchester, in the framework of the European Graphene Flagship project, the research has shown that graphene has the ability to interact with the functions of the nervous system in vertebrates in a very specific manner. The researchers say that the material interrupts the build-up of a pathological process that leads to anxiety-related behavior.

Study leader, Laura Ballerini of SISSA, explained that previous research has shown that when graphene flakes are delivered to neurons, they interfere spontaneously with excitatory synapses by transiently preventing glutamate release from presynaptic terminals. Ballerini said: “We investigated whether such a reduction in synaptic activity was sufficient to modify related behaviors, in particular the pathological ones that develop due to a transient and localized hyper-function of excitatory synapses”.

Read the full story Posted: Mar 12, 2021

GLCM develops Insta-Test for detection of Covid-19 in under 15 seconds

GLC Medical (GLCM), a subsidiary of Graphene Leaders Canada (GLC), recently announced completion of development of the GLCM SARS-CoV-2 Insta-Test, delivering results in under 15 seconds, offering fast and easy to use solution to screen for COVID-19.

The Company stated that it sees potential for this new graphene-based biosensor to enable the world to regain a sense of freedom and bring “normal” back into its future.

Read the full story Posted: Mar 07, 2021

Cardea Bio and the Georgia Tech Research Institute enter DARPA agreement to develop airborne SARS-CoV-2 sensors

The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) recently awarded the Georgia Tech Research Institute (GTRI) an agreement, as part of their SenSARS program, to develop a sensing platform to detect airborne SARS-CoV-2 particles. Cardea Bio is a sub-contractor to this agreement.

This agreement will enable the two institutions to develop a real-time pathogen identification technology that can be applied to many different defense and civilian environmental monitoring applications.

Read the full story Posted: Mar 06, 2021