The MI5 has warned UK Universities that their research is the target of cyber attacks (apparently by Russia and China) and they should defend it. It especially says that graphene and Quantum computing technologies research are possible targets.

National Graphene Centre (simulated)

UK's Manchester University, where graphene was first isolated and researched is now building the national graphene institute (NGI) with an estimated cost of about £38 million. The University of Cambridge also announced plans to establish a new center for graphene research, which will be called The Cambridge Graphene Centre (CGC).

Researchers from the University of British Columbia have discovered that magnetic defects may be behind graphene's slow the spin-relaxation time (which is as much as 1000 times lower in graphene than predicted).

The researchers applied a voltage between two metal contracts on a graphene sheet that was 12x4 micrometers in size, while changing the strength of a magnetic field piercing the strip. The small sized sheet was chosen because interference effects cause the current to fluctuate rapidly with the magnetic field. They analyzed those fluctuations and concluded that the primary source of electron spin relaxation is magnetic defects—and not, as researchers have previously assumed, the spin-orbit effect.

Robert Murray-Smith posted a new video (with unsynchronized audio) showing how to make graphene-oxide at home. The basic idea is to start with a mix of sulfuric acid and phosphoric acid, add powdered graphite and stir it. Then you add permanganate and stir it for three days. Robert hasn't managed to actually isolate the graphene oxide, but he's working on that:

If anyone tries that himself, let us know the results...

Researchers from Ohio State University managed to create a one-atom-thick sheet of Germanium (called Germanane). This new material's structure is closely related to graphene, and it conducts electrons more than ten times faster than silicon and five times faster than conventional germanium. The researchers say that Germanane may enable some of the benefits of graphene and other new materials, but it will be much cheaper to cost as it's a material already used widely.

The researchers created multi-layered germanium crystals that have calcium atoms wedged between the layers. The calcium was then dissolved (using water), and the empty chemical bonds were "plugged" with hydrogen. Then they were able to peel off single germanane sheets. The hydrogen atoms makes germanane sheets very chemically stable (unlike "normal" sheets) - even more so than silicon as it won't oxidize in air or water.

XG Sciences launched a new graphene-based anode materials for Li-Ion batteries that has four times the capacity of conventional anodes. The new anode materials use the XG's xGnP graphene nanoplatelets to stabilize silicon particles in a nano-engineered composite structure and are made using the company's proprietary manufacturing processes. The new material is available today at commercial scale with an "attractive pricing".

XGS has demonstrated capacity of 1500 mAh/g with low irreversible capacity loss and stable cycling performance in life tests. They expect initial adoption in the consumer electronics markets - by Asian battery makers. But XGS also works with R&D partners that are focused on hybrid and electric vehicles, grid storage, military, and specialty industrial applications.

Researchers from MIT use DNA to form nanoscsale shapes on graphene. The idea is to fold DNA to a specific shape and then deposit it on graphene. Using plasma lithography the shapes are then "etched" to the graphene sheet.

The researchers created the DNA structures using short synthetic DNA strands called single-stranded tiles. The tiles are assembled into shapes in a simple reaction. They can also be constructed using an approach called DNA origami, in which many short strands of DNA fold a long strand into a desired shape.

Grafoid signed a joint-venture development agreement with CapTherm Systems to develop and commercialize next generation, multiphase thermal management systems for electric vehicle (EV) batteries and LEDs. Grafoid will supply graphene materials and the technology needed to adapt graphene to CapTherm's existing EV and LED cooling systems.

CapTherm says that graphene's lateral and vertical heat spreading capabilities will enable them to develop more competitive products.

Graphene Laboratories recently signed a two-year strategic alliance agreement with Canada's Lomiko Metals, the owner of several resource properties containing high-grade graphite. Graphite Investor News posted an interesting interview with Lomiko Metals' CEO, A. Paul Gill.

Mr. Gill says that he sees a "huge market" for graphene, as billions of dollars have already been spent on research and development. Gill says that Graphene Labs alone have sold graphene products to over 4,000 customers, including Ford, Sony, Samsung, LG, the US Army and NASA.

Researchers from Beijing's Tsinghua University managed to create a nacre-like material that's stronger than natural nacre (and most other composite). Nacre (mother of pearl) is made from calcium carbonate and biopolymers in a brickwork structure that's nearly a thousand times stronger than its component parts.

Natural nacre structure

To create the new material, the researchers started with a hyrdogel made from graphene and fibroin (a silk protein), and then solution coated it and dried it to create parallel graphene plates bound with fibroid, which self assembled to create a brickwork structure.

A couple of weeks ago we reported about China's Zhejiang University's new sponge-like solid material (which they call Graphene Aerogel) made from freeze-dried carbon and graphene oxide. Now it seems that these foams may be used as conductive scaffolds for neural stem cells (NSCs).

Korean researchers already discovered that graphene sheets is better than glass for human neural stem cells growth - exhibiting a greater ratio of neurons to glial cells. Now Chinese researchers say that graphene foams coated with laminin (or other matrix proteins) could potentially serve not only as compatible neural housing but also as a means to control the tenants electrically.