September 2014

Researchers from from Zhejiang Normal University in China developed a biocompatible bio-sensor that can simultaneous detection multiple biomarkers, such as DNA and proteins. Those sensors are made from carbon materials - mainly graphene-oxide (GO) and graphene quantum dots (GQDs).

The researchers explain hat GQDs rae promising environmentally friendly and biocompatible nanomaterials that can be used to design new fluorescence detection platforms in vitro and in vivo. The researchers use the specifically designed fluorescence on-off-on process that takes advantage of the intense and dual-color fluorescence of the GQDs, in addition to the efficient quenching effect of GO. The high emission efficiency of GQDs guarantees the high sensitivity of the constructed biosensors, while the good biocompatibility is promising for use of biosensors in vivo.

Researchers from the University of Texas at Austin, in collaboration with Aixtron developed a new method to grow high-quality wafer-scale (300 mm) graphene sheets. This process may enable the integration of graphene with Silicon CMOS and pave the way towards graphene-based electronics.

The method is based on CVD growth on polycrystalline copper film coated silicon substrates. They report that their graphene has better charge carrier transport characteristics compared to previously synthesized poly- or single-crystalline wafers. The graphene has few defects and covers over 96% of the 300-mm wafer substrate.

Researchers from India developed a new superparamagnetic hybrid material made from graphene and the amaranthus dubius plant. This plant is used for food (it's high on protein and contains several vitamins and minerals). Superparamagnetic materials can be used to make very sensitive and accurate sensors.

This new material is biologically inert (as both graphene and the plant are inert) and so this may be useful for applications in biology (such as bio-sensors).

Researchers from the UK's University of Southampton developed a new process to synthesize large-area molybdenum di-sulphide (MoS₂), a 2D material similar to graphene in many of its properties. Up until now most MoS₂ production results in tiny flakes.

The researchers used atmospheric pressure chemical vapor deposition (APCVD) to fabricate large area (>1000 mm²) ultra- thin films only a few atoms thick. The researchers are collaborating in this research together with several UK companies and universities, MIT and Singapore's Nanyang Technological University.

Researchers from Korea's Hanyang University developed new hybrid graphene-CNT fiber that is at least 12 times stronger compared to a general Kevlar fibers used in current bulletproof jackets. The new fiber is also more flexible.

To produce the new fibers, the researchers started out by dispersing graphene in water, which were then dispersed in a polymer solution using wet spinning to obtain a fiber form. The polymer was later removed, which created pure graphene fibers, which were later mixed with carbon-nanotubes fibers.

In December 2011 the EU launched a graphene project called NanoMaster with an aim to develop up-scale processing methods for production of graphene and expanded graphite reinforced thermoplastic masterbatches and compounds. Today the project partners announced that the project is entering its final phase, and is reporting exciting results.

Recently, the project team focused on optimizing and up-scaling the processes for graphene and expanded graphite production, and their subsequent compounding with a range of thermoplastics. They have now achieved a graphene production capacity increase from 50 grams to 2.5 Kg.

Researchers from Seoul National University managed to grow gallium nitride (GaN) micro-rods on a graphene sheet. This enabled them to create transferable LEDs and may enable the fabrication of bendable and stretchable devices.

The researchers say that graphene is the "perfect substrate" because it provides the desired flexibility with excellent mechanical strength, and it's also chemically and physically stable at temperatures in excess of 1,000 degrees Celsius. GaN combined with graphene substrates also shows excellent tolerance for mechanical deformation.

Researchers from the University of Illinois at Chicago (UIC) developed a graphene-based highly sensitive chemical sensor (an electronic "nose" if you will). The graphene enabled the researchers to increase the sensitivity to absorbed gas molecules by 300 times compared to current technology.

Interestingly, the graphene's grain boundaries are key to this achievement. The researchers discovered that the gas molecules are attracted to these grain boundaries, and so this is the ideal spot for the detection of these molecules. They explain that the irregular nature of the grain boundary produces hundreds of electron-transport gaps with different sensitivities - as if there are multiple switches all working in parallel.

Graphene 3D Lab signed a joint-venture agreement with Stony Brook University (SBUY) for quality control testing of graphene-enhanced 3D printing materials. As part of this (extendable) one-year project, Graphene 3D will pay $137K to SBUY's Research Foundation, which will analytical services at a fully-equipped laboratory.

SBUY will consider both the mechanical and functional properties of those materials. They expect to report on the optimal printing conditions for graphene-enhanced 3D printing materials.

Researchers from the University of Swansea developed an ultra-sensitive biosensor based on graphene. According to the researchers, this sensor is more than five times more sensitive than bioassay tests currently in use.

The sensor is based on large-area graphene devices grown on silicon carbide. The graphene was later patterned and then attached to bioreceptor molecules. These molecules act as receptors and they bind to the target molecule.