Researchers from Tufts University recently developed a graphene-enhanced highly sensitive saliva-based cortisol sensor – eliminating the need for invasive blood tests.

The Point-of-Care (POC) electrochemical biosensor boasts a detection limit of 0.24 fg/mL, making it 100 times more sensitive than existing saliva tests. This innovation relies on the Gii-Sens “electrode” – a sensing strip produced by nanomaterial company, iGii – integrated into the sensor. 

Graphene Manufacturing Group (GMG) has provided a business update on the commercialization progress of THERMAL-XR® Powered by GMG Graphene.

GMG and Nu Calgon have signed an agreement with a consultant to prepare and submit a Pre-Manufacture Notice (PMN) for its USA Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) approval to import and sell in the USA, as previously announced in its THERMAL-XR® re-submission. The PMN application is expected to be submitted before the end of October and the potential approval is expected to take less than 12 months. The PMN will be substantially different from the Low Volume Exemption (LVE) PMN GMG previously submitted. The potential PMN EPA approval that GMG will be seeking is expected to be not limited by volume, application and any one particular sector, while the LVE PMN application was limited to 10 tonnes per annum, one application technique and the HVAC sector.

Solidion Technology has announced that its silicon-rich anode material has passed a critical milestone test. The Company stated that its silicon/graphene anode materials have been validated by an EV OEM-appointed third party, that found that its silicon composition is on par with Silane gas-derived Si at a substantially lower cost to EV manufacturers.

The quantity of energy that a lithium-ion battery can supply to an electric vehicle (EV) is limited by the amount of charges stored in its anode and cathode materials. Although graphite has been the preferred anode material during the past 30 years, Industry-leading EV OEMs have reportedly concluded that silicon anode is required to drive EV battery technology to lower cost and provide higher energy density, significantly extending the EV driving range. Specifically, silicon (Si) is a leading-edge anode material capable of extending the EV range by 20-40%. However, the higher-capacity gain is limited by the technical issue of large volume change-induced rapid capacity decay. Additionally, most of the silicon-based anode materials have suffered from processing difficulty using current lithium-ion battery equipment and process.

Mito Material Solutions has announced a product line expansion by core sporting customer St. Croix Fly. In October 2023, Mito shared how the fly fishing rod company incorporated its functionalized graphene into the composite rods to enable faster recovery, increase torsional rigidity and improve strength-to-weight ratios.

St. Croix’s Technica Series rods were conceived and delivered to give anglers “the upper hand in the trickiest of trout-fishing situations.” Its responsive, moderate action, paired with the use of carbon fiber and Mito’s graphene technology, adds to the line’s speed, endless loop stability and accuracy.

Salgenx, developer of saltwater flow battery technology, has announced the expansion of its development of graphene and hard carbon-coated sand. Originally designed for use in advanced battery systems, Salgenx is now exploring a wide array of new applications for this innovative material, ranging from smart infrastructure to environmental sustainability.

The Company says that "the unique combination of graphene and hard carbon in a sand aggregate has the potential to transform the construction industry". By enhancing the electrical conductivity, mechanical strength, and durability of concrete, Salgenx’s carbon-coated sand opens up new possibilities in building and infrastructure development.

Versarien has announce that the Company has entered into a contract with Building For Humanity for Versarien to act as a 'print partner' to support Building For Humanity CIC, a community interest company, with a range of services for its flagship Charter Street project in Accrington, Lancashire.  The contract, initially valued at approximately £200,000 will see Versarien providing 3D construction printing ("3DCP") input at all stages of the project, giving Building For Humanity a full service from design to construction.

It was disclosed that the Company had previously signed a letter of mutual commitment to support the Charter Street project. The contract now signed follows the formal commencement of the project, which will see the development of 46 high-quality affordable homes, in five blocks, along with associated infrastructure, including a community hub, led by Building For Humanity. The initial phase of the project will involve the construction of the first housing block and the community hub.

Haydale has announced a new contract agreement with Gerdau Graphene, which focuses on the development, industrialization and commercialization of chemical additives, mineral additions and masterbatches with carbon-based nanomaterials, such as graphene.

This collaboration between Haydale and Gerdau Graphene will facilitate the development of graphene infused product lines and synergy between the advanced materials.

Over a year ago, it was reported that First Graphene was working with a subsidiary of Mexican multi-national building materials company CEMEX, to trial graphene in railway sleepers cast using recycled aggregates. Now, it was announced that Cemex was granted funding from Innovate UK’s decarbonizing concrete fund for a research project into the use of graphene in concrete. The use of graphene within a concrete mix has the potential to significantly reduce CO₂ emissions by using less material whilst still achieving the same structural performance.

The grant was awarded as part of a consortium which Cemex will lead, working in partnership with Galliford Try, Sika, Northumbria Water and the Graphene Engineering Innovation Centre (GEIC) at the University of Manchester, and totals around £400k.

Gerdau Graphene has launched “NanoCONS,” a new line of graphene admixture solutions designed for the construction industry, meant to enable concrete producers to leverage the physical properties of graphene to improve the mechanical performance of their concrete products. 

The integration of NanoCONS into cementitious materials may also reduce carbon emissions associated with concrete production: according to recent research on graphene-enhanced concrete, reducing cement content can lower concrete manufacturing-related emissions by up to 20%. NanoCONS can help reduce cement consumption without any loss of concrete performance, thereby contributing to more sustainable concrete production.

Zentek has reported its earnings for the first quarter ended June 30, 2024. For the first quarter, the Company reported sales was CAD 0.005489 million (USD$0.004). Net loss was CAD 2.55 million (around USD$1,857,000) compared to CAD 3.16 million (around USD$2,300,000) a year ago.

Basic loss per share from continuing operations was CAD 0.03 compared to CAD 0.03 a year ago. Diluted loss per share from continuing operations was CAD 0.03 compared to CAD 0.03 a year ago.