A team of researchers from Italy has created hybrid perovskite-graphene solar cells that show good stability upon exposure to sunlight, while still maintaining an impressive efficiency of over 18% - the highest reported efficiency of graphene perovskite hybrid solar cells to date.

Despite tremendous progress in Perovskite PV performance, the stability of these devices is still questionable. In particular, air and humidity degrade cell performance, as do continued exposure to sunlight and heat, setting back the advantages over other types of solar cells. Graphene and graphene-related materials (GRMs) have properties that make them shine in applications like protective layers, and so arise as natural candidates to protect PSCs from atmospheric degradation.

Henrik Fisker, owner of failed automotive venture "Fisker Automotive", said recently that he plans to launch a new electric car company next year to compete with Tesla. According to Fisker, the new electric cars will be powered by a long-range battery that uses graphene to extend its range and life and reduce charging time. The company is targeting a 400-mile driving range between charges.

It was not revealed who is funding this new California-based venture, called Fisker Inc, and a new battery subsidiary, Fisker Nanotech. In an interview, Fisker said his new company plans a battery-powered model aimed at the Tesla Model S, which is priced at about $65,000. He did not specify when production would begin. A second smaller Fisker electric car will follow, Fisker said, and will target the upcoming Tesla Model 3, which is expected to start at about $35,000.

Australia-based Imagine Intelligent Materials has signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with TenCate Geosynthetics, for the purpose of expanding the commercialization opportunities for graphene-based geotextile coatings into the USA market.

The company stated that the next step is to modify the imgne X3 masterbatch to suit TenCate’s materials and confirm performance in field trials. The plan is that with progression of Imagine IM’s capability, it will strive to take it from polyester (PET) nonwoven geotextiles into polypropylene geotextiles.