Graphene-Info: the graphene experts

The Advanced Carbons Company (TACC), a wholly owned subsidiary of HEG, has entered into a Non-Binding Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Ceylon Graphene Technologies (CGT) with regard to advancing graphene technology and unlocking its vast potential for diverse applications.

CGT, a LOLC company based in Sri Lanka, is a global expert in graphene production. Leveraging Sri Lanka's premium vein graphite, renowned for its purity and backed by its expertise in material science, CGT aims to be at the forefront of delivering innovative and high-quality graphene products. TACC, part of the LNJ Bhilwara Group, is known for its expertise in synthetic graphite and commitment to sustainable, green technologies. 

Researchers from Korea's DGIST, Kyungpook National University, France's University of Bordeaux (CNRS), Collège de France and Japan's Komaba Institute for Science (KIS) recently designed a solar-powered faradaic supercapacitor, with a graphene layer as its anode, that can reportedly achieve a power density of 2,555.6 W kg and an energy efficiency of 63%. The system uses nickel-based compounds to enhance the electrochemical performance of its electrodes.

Schematic of the system. Image from: PV Magazine, credit: Daegu Gyeongbuk Institute of Science and Technology (DGIST)

To build these electrodes, the scientists used a nickel-based carbonate and hydroxide composite material, which are said to optimize their conductivity and stability. They initially tested transition metal ions such as manganese (Mn), carbon monoxide (Co), copper (Cu), iron (Fe), and zinc (Zn) and found that the optimal nanostructure of the electrodes depended on the transition metals used.

Researchers from Seoul National University of Science and Technology, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology and Korea Institute of Machinery and Materials recently reported a graphene-based laser lift-off technique that prevents damage while separating ultrathin OLED displays. This advancement could open the door towards ultra-thin, stretchable devices that fit comfortably against human skin, revolutionizing wearable device technology.

a) Graphene-enabled laser lift-off (GLLO) process. b) Conventional laser lift-off (LLO) process. Image from: Nature Communications

Polyimide (PI) films are widely used in these applications due to their excellent thermal stability and mechanical flexibility. They are crucial for emerging technologies like rollable displays, wearable sensors, and implantable photonic devices. However, when the thickness of these films is reduced below 5 μm, traditional laser lift-off (LLO) techniques often fail. Mechanical deformation, wrinkling, and leftover residues frequently compromise the quality and functionality of ultrathin devices, making the process inefficient and costly.

The University of Birmingham and Paragraf, a UK-based company focused on graphene electronics, are eorking together to scale graphene production and explore its application in quantum computing. Supported by two awards totaling £3.4 million (approximately $4.2 million)–£1.4 million from Innovate UK and £2m UKRI Future Leaders Fellowship–the partnership intends to address key challenges in graphene manufacturing as well as explore its potential as a material for quantum technologies.

Graphene magnetic sensors, a focal point of this collaboration, operate with high precision at ultra-low temperatures. Such sensors could support quantum computing through precise magnetic shielding and control required for qubit stability and operation. But, the cryogenic behavior of practical graphene devices requires further systematic exploration before such an innovation could exist.

Researchers from the National University of Singapore (NUS), working with teams from University of California, Kyoto University and others, have reported a breakthrough in the development of next-generation graphene-based quantum materials, opening new horizons for advancements in quantum electronics.

An atomic model of the Janus graphene nanoribbons (left) and its atomic force microscopic image (right). Image credit: NUS
 

The innovation involves a novel type of graphene nanoribbon (GNR) named Janus GNR (JGNR). The material has a unique zigzag edge, with a special ferromagnetic edge state located on one of the edges. This unique design enables the realization of one-dimensional ferromagnetic spin chain, which could have important applications in quantum electronics and quantum computing.

A collaborative effort involving POSTECH and the University of Technology Sydney has yielded an advancement in light source technology. The team used graphene to develop a quantum light emitting diode (Quantum LED) that can precisely emit light using a single atom. This innovative technology generates light by injecting charges into a luminescent material composed of a single atom. 

The research team implemented this advanced light source technology using hexagonal boron nitride (hBN), a material known for its ability to stably confine electrons in various atomic defects. Unlike traditional quantum dots, which are composed of hundreds to thousands of atoms, the quantum LED developed by the team exhibits excellent quantum light source characteristics even at room temperature. This breakthrough addresses a significant challenge in the field, as hBN's wide bandgap has historically made it difficult to inject charges electrically, thus hindering the development of LED devices. To overcome this obstacle, the researchers designed a "graphene-hBN-graphene" van der Waals tunneling structure. 

Researchers from China's Zhejiang University have developed a new thermal management system to prevent thermal runaway of Li-ion battery (LIB) cells, using hyperbolic graphene phase change composites. This addresses the safety concerns of LIB cells, mainly caused by thermal runaway. While phase change material systems already exist, the unresolved trade-off between high power and energy density greatly limits its practical applications. 

The newly developed thermal management system relies on a composite material that consists of hyperbolic graphene framework and paraffin, and reportedly exhibits an impressive thermal conductivity of ∼30.75 W/mK at 12.5 wt% graphene loading and ultrahigh retention (90%) of latent heat, beyond that of most of the reported phase change composites.