Researchers from Penn State University and NASA Goddard Space Flight Center recently developed an 'electronic tongue' based on a graphene-based ion-sensitive field-effect transistor, capable of identifying differences in similar liquids, such as milk with varying water content; diverse products, including soda types and coffee blends; signs of spoilage in fruit juices; and instances of food safety concerns. The team also found that results were even more accurate when artificial intelligence (AI) used its own assessment parameters to interpret the data generated by the electronic tongue.

Graphene ISFET chip mounted on a printed circuit board (PCB). Image from: Nature

The sensor and AI can broadly detect and classify various substances while collectively assessing their respective quality, authenticity and freshness. This assessment has also provided the researchers with a view into how AI makes decisions, which could lead to better AI development and applications, they said.

Imperial College London has spun out a company called 2D Nano, led by Dr. Andrius Patapas, Professor Omar Matar, Professor Camille Petit (Department of Chemical Engineering), and Dr. Jason Stafford (Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Birmingham), to pioneer the production of advanced materials like graphene, boron nitride, molybdenum disulfide, and more. 

Recently, 2D Nano reportedly secured £2 million in funding from private investors, allowing the Company to scale up production of 2D materials to several tonnes per year. Their internal research and development suggests this can lead to the manufacturing of graphene-enhanced products in excess of 100,000 t/y. The Company is particularly focused on deploying its materials in high-demand sectors such as concrete, coatings, and energy storage, where significant sustainability benefits can be realized. 

An international group of scientists, including ones from the UK's University of Bath, Friedrich Schiller University Jena in Germany and the University of Pisa in Italy, recently set out to investigate the ultrafast opto-electronic and thermal tuning of nonlinear optics in graphene.

Opto-electronic modulation of third harmonic generation in a graphene field-effect transistor. The illustration includes a sketch and a microscopic optical image of the device. Image credit: University of Bath

Nonlinear optics explores how powerful light (e.g. lasers) interacts with materials, resulting in the output light changing color (i.e. frequency) or behaving differently based on the intensity of the incoming light. This field is important for developing advanced technologies such as high-speed communication systems and laser-based applications. Nonlinear optical phenomena enable the manipulation of light in novel ways, leading to breakthroughs in fields like telecommunications, medical imaging, and quantum computing. Graphene's exceptional electronic properties, related to relativistic-like Dirac electrons and strong light-matter interactions, make it promising for nonlinear optical applications, including ultrafast photonics, optical modulators, saturable absorbers in ultrafast lasers, and quantum optics.

Researchers from the Taiyuan Institute of Technology have introduced a novel graphene RF NEMS capacitive switch and conducted an extensive analysis of its RF performance within the UWB frequency range of DC ~ 140 GHz. 

Schematic representation of the proposed graphene RF NEMS capacitive switch: (a) a 3D isometric view; (b) a top view. Image credit: Scientific Reports

The monolayer graphene RF NEMS switch is characterized by its low pull-in voltage, rapid switching time, and superior RF performance, contrasting with the comparatively inferior performance of multilayer graphene RF NEMS switches. 

DUER, an innovative denim company, has launched its new Performance Flannel that is enhanced with graphene. The fabric is said to regulate body temperature without feeling heavy, fight static and stay fresh longer. 

“Graphene caught our attention as a Nobel prize-winning nano-fiber with exceptional performance properties that don’t impact a fabric’s weight, breathability, or soft feel,” said Gary Lennett, CEO of DUER. “We’ve integrated graphene into our Performance Flannel to provide enhanced thermal regulation— keeping you warm when it’s cold, and cool when it’s hot. Added to that, it fights static and keeps clothing fresh longer, marking a significant step in the future of textiles.”

Versarien has shared updates on its progress across several key sectors and markets, reporting a growing pipeline of opportunities, rising from £1.6 million (over USD$2 million) in October 2023 to £4.7 million currently (over USD$6,100,000), with £1.6 million (over USD$2 million) in commercial opportunities and £3.1 million (over USD$4 million) in grants. The Company said it continued to focus on developing advanced materials, especially graphene, through manufacturing-light operations and technology licensing.

In the construction sector, the company said it had placed orders for equipment to enhance its in-house construction testing capabilities following a July fundraising. The equipment would support the development of graphene-based products, such as Cementene. Versarien said it had also signed its first significant 3D construction printing (3DCP) contract with Building For Humanity CIC for a project in Accrington, UK. The Company anticipated on-site activities to begin in 2025.

Carbon Waters has announced a major milestone with the installation of its first production unit at its facility in Pessac.

Since its inception, Carbon Waters been active in the field of graphene-based performance additives. In 2022, it launched the recurring production of high-performance and ready-to-use additive range, Graph‘Up. These additives are dedicated to anticorrosion paints, mechanical reinforcement, and thermal property optimization of polymers and composites. Summer 2024 marked the arrival of Carbon Waters' first production unit. This investment helps Carbon Waters to multiply its production capacity by fifteen, a major step forward in meeting growing industrial demand.

Versarien has announced that it has signed an agreement with Balfour Beatty Group to develop a range of low carbon, graphene-infused, 3D-printable mortars suitable for civil construction.

This will include formulating three types of mortar: one based on local materials, and two enhanced with Versarien's graphene admixture, Cementene. Additionally, efforts will focus on establishing a UK-based supply chain, involving identifying local suppliers, integrating the graphene admixture, implementing quality control protocols, and creating distribution channels and sales frameworks for both domestic and international markets.

The UK semiconductor industry has received a significant boost as Innovate UK, a part of UK Research and Innovation, has announced an investment of £11.5 million spread across 16 innovative projects. This funding is aimed at scaling up semiconductor manufacturing, improving supply chain resilience, and fostering new collaborations between industry and academia.

Among the award winners is Paragraf, a company with a vision to establish the first 2D materials device foundry in the world, focusing on graphene technology. Paragraf, in collaboration with the universities of Glasgow and Birmingham, aims to scale up its graphene growth technology from 2” wafers to 6” wafers, making strides in manufacturing and device reliability testing that have never been attempted before.

Innovate UK has announced a £3.2 million (around USD$4.2 million) investment in seven projects to further advance the decarbonization of the domestic concrete industry. This funding forms part of the agency's broader effort to foster sustainable practices and reduce carbon emissions within the construction sector.

Among the recipients is Cemex UK Operations, that intends to use the investment to further the development of CoMLaG, a combination of micronized limestone and graphene, which aims to reduce the carbon footprint of concrete.