GNPs - Page 9

Talga Resources has provided an update on initial benchmark testing of its graphene in Lithium-ion batteries, manufactured at the Warwick Manufacturing Group’s Energy Innovation Center, University of Warwick UK.

Following successful tests of the Company’s micrographite product, Talga announced its intention to move towards testing its graphene nanoplatelets (GNPs) as the active material of Li-ion battery anodes. Preliminary test results are highly encouraging with Talga's material exhibiting outstanding electrochemical performance that reportedly surpasses capacity measures for commercially available graphite anodes, delivering up to ~27% more energy density. The tests also showed low capacity losses (reversible capacity >99.5%) and high stability (coulombic efficiency 99.9%). Talga also reports that the results were achieved using its bulk graphene nanoplatelets, rather than few layered graphene materials (FLG), which raises potential to compete at today’s anode market cost structure.

Researchers at the Germany-based Leibniz Institute of Polymer Research have developed a structurally colored coating based on graphene flakes, that changes color depending on deformation of the colored surface. Inspired by natural iridescence in fish skin, this coating could provide a simple way to warn of hidden damage in buildings, bridges and other structures.

The team made the coating in an initial red, but when deformed, it appears yellow, and when cracked at the micrometer scale, green. This color-changing ability comes from a careful alignment of the graphene flakes in semi-transparent, parallel layers, coating a glass fibre. Under stress, the layers compress and flatten, changing the interference and color of reflected light. In fact, by overlapping graphene nanoplatelets (GNPs) with ordered and disordered features using a special deposition approach, unique fish scale like structures are achieved. Variable structural coloration is observed through the mechanical tuning of fine parallel multilayers.

XG Sciences, a supplier of graphene nanoplatelets and value-added products containing graphene nanoplatelets, recently announced that it has closed an agreement with The Dow Chemical Company for up to a $10 million senior credit facility, which may be drawn down in tranches by XGS at its discretion through December 2019.

The company received $2 million under this facility at close and may draw another $3 million at its discretion at any time prior to the first anniversary of the agreement. After the first anniversary of the closing, the company may access the remaining $5 million, provided it has raised at least $10 million of additional equity capital. XG Sciences and Dow agreed to hold commercial discussions including the potential out-license of certain of Dow’s manufacturing IP related to graphene nanoplatelets to XGS.

Versarien announced an agreement with Fern Plastic Products to manufacture injection moulded products using graphene-enhanced polyaryletherketone (PAEK) materials. The agreement with Fern Plastics follows the agreement with Scafell Organics announced earlier this month.

The plan is for Versarien to utilize Fern Plastics' manufacturing facilities and expertise to produce injection moulded products using graphene-enhanced PAEK materials produced through Versarien's collaboration with Scafell.

Versarien, the advanced materials group, has signed an agreement with polymer chemical producer Scafell Organics to develop graphene-enhanced polyaryletherketone materials (PAEKs). These materials are a family of semi-crystalline thermoplastics with high-temperature stability and high mechanical strength, used in the automotive and aerospace industries.

Versarien reportedly plans to utilize Scafell’s facilities and production expertise to produce graphene enhanced PAEK materials using Versarien supplied graphene nano platelets. It is hoped that these graphene enhanced materials will be available for sale by Versarien through its sales team as well as Scafell’s customers.

Versarien, the advanced materials group, announced the receipt of a significant graphene order for a carbon fibre composite related OEM application.

Versarien has received an order with a value of over £100,000 (around $124,900 USD) for graphene in the form of Few Layer Graphene Nano Platelets (GNPs) from a European commercial customer, in conjunction with the NGI. This graphene will be certified by the NGI and Versarien will be handling the dispersion of the GNPs into the resin to be used by the customer. The resin will be provided by the customer free of charge and will be returned to the customer in Europe once mixed with Versarien's GNPs.

Italy-based Directa Plus announced its financial results for the first half of 2016. Revenues reached €440,000 (up from €270,000 in 1H2016) and a net loss of €2.3 million (up from €1.3 million in 1H 2015). The company had €13.1 million in cash and equivalents as of the end of July 2016.

Directa Plus also reported some interesting new business activities and milestones. The company now has over 10 active customers (up from only three in July 2015), and it delivered 1.8 tonnes of graphene materials. Directa Plus also signed a two-year joint development agreement with a global luxury accessories producer in order to develop an entire generation of graphene-enhanced spectacles.

Graphene 3D Lab recently announced that it has developed an innovative graphene composite material that was given the trade name "G6-ImpactTM", intended for users in the automotive, robotics, drone, aerospace industries and military sectors. G3L has filed a provisional patent application covering methods of production and formulation as well as the potential applications of the G6-ImpactTM material.

The new material reportedly features excellent rigidity and extraordinary absorption for both impact and vibration. Its high performance is ensured by G3L's proprietary formulation and production method. G6-ImpactTM will be an optimal material for applications where vibration damping is required on rigid surfaces, which could include sporting gear, power tools handles, automotive parts, and aerospace components.

Researchers from India's VIT University demonstrated the successful modification of thermoplastics with graphene nano-platelets (GNPs). The researchers present a study on the voltage and current phase uniformity as a function of temperature.

The researchers say that the investigation shows that the resulting reinforced thermoplastic material is promising for the development of thermal sensor for aerospace, automobile and health applications.

Applied Graphene Materials has announced that it has supplied its graphene material for use in the production of a range of fishing rods, made by UK's Century Composites. Century has unveiled a new range of fishing rods containing the AGM's GNPs, sold under the brand Graphex.

Century has been manufacturing composite fishing rods in the UK for nearly 40 years, utilizing a range of reinforcing materials including glass, aramid, polyethylene and carbon fibers. Following a period of collaboration, AGM’s work with Century has resulted in the incorporation of graphene nanoplatelets into a high specification range of fishing rods.