Mimos, the Malaysian R&D center under the Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation (MOSTI), recently signed a collaborative research and development agreement with Universiti Pendidikan Sultan Idris (UPSI) to develop graphene electronic technology to enhance both their competitive advantage in the technology and applications, especially in advanced materials for electronic devices.

A recent statement by MIMOS said "Under the collaboration, both MIMOS and UPSI will jointly develop the technology, exchange research expertise, and increase the number of patents including joint-publication in graphene electronics and related technologies... The collaboration would allow UPSI to benefit from the access to high-end industry-standard facilities at MIMOS, and help align their research activities with industry requirements".

The China-based Shanghai Kyorene New Material Technology recently unveiled a graphene-based flame-retardant fabric during the Textile & Yarn Expo in Shanghai.

The fabric seems to be extremely resistant to flames, and no damage appears even when it is directly touched with a burning lighter. It is also said to posses anti ultra-violet and anti-static properties. It can be used for firefighting purposes as well as furniture and other domestic uses.

The National Physical Laboratory (NPL) recently published the world's first ISO (International Organization for Standardization) graphene standard. The standard will aim to provide consistency across the emerging world-wide graphene industry and accelerate graphene's commercial exploitation.

The new international standard defines the terminology used to describe the many different forms of graphene and related 2D materials, supporting companies in the testing and validation process. This will provide clarity among manufacturers, suppliers, NGOs and academia, helping to unlock new applications, drive down manufacturing costs and open up industrial-scale use of graphene in various applications.

An international research team at Swansea University in the UK recently received an international award for developing a graphene biosensor-based diagnostic test for ovarian cancer that is said to offer quicker and more accurate results in a less expensive, as well as portable way.

The team received the i3S-Hovione Capital Health Innovation Prize, an international award aimed at distinguishing innovative ideas in the health sector, for developing a device — called ‘MagCyte’ — that can diagnose ovarian cancer in a couple of minutes using only a single drop of blood. The portable technology is different from the tests currently used in hospitals and allows for increased flexibility when monitoring patients, even if they have already been diagnosed with ovarian cancer. According to the development team, the innovative technology allows for the diagnosis of ovarian cancer up to four years before it can be diagnosed through the technology currently available.

Dotz Nano, a nano-technology company focusing on the development, manufacture, and commercialization of graphene quantum dots (GQDs), recently announced the signing of a non-binding and non-exclusive MoU with Colorplastic, a polymer compounder located in Switzerland for the implementation of GQDs into the polymer and surface modificant market. The GQDs would be used in automotive plastics and anti-counterfeiting/brand protection applications.

The MoU calls for a 6-month pilot project in which GQDs will be supplied by Dotz to Colorplastic for integration into their products for use in the polymers and surface treatment being commercialized by Colorplastic for use by OEMs. The scope of the pilot is to be defined by the parties, but is to cover the technological development and adaptation of GQDs to Colorplastic's products, including production runs for validating commercial scale. The pilot can be extended an additional 3-months by mutual agreement if needed.

China Carbon Graphite Group, a producer engaging in the research and development, production and sales of graphene and graphene oxide, recently announced a pilot scale production of high quality graphene and GO in a collaboration with Hunan University.

CCGG has collaborated with Hunan University on graphene research since 2012, and was able to previously produce graphene oxide in a multiple-step process. Now the Company can reportedly integrate multiple steps into a single process in a less than medium pilot scale.

The following is a sponsored post by Advanced Graphene Products

Another success in the field of industrial applications of graphene was announced by Advanced Graphene Products (AGP). Thanks to the latest research results, new investments and demand generated by AGP’s R&D projects, the company launches a second production line. This is a significant step to the start of industrial production of very high quality graphene material with properties most similar to theoretical graphene.

The new production line introduces an upgraded and improved graphene thermal reactor, which will increase the overall quality of HSMG® samples, but also double the production capacity. As early as February 2018, it will be possible to produce graphene sheets of unprecedently large sizes and higher quality. Pre-orders have already started! You can submit one by contacting the company through the address located at the bottom of the article.

Talga Resources recently provided an update on its UK battery development programs in Warwick Manufacturing Group’s Energy Innovation Centre and at Talga’s Cambridge product development labs. Talga has reportedly received highly encouraging results from 1,200 hours of testwork on a new Li-ion battery anode formulation that combines both its micrographite and GNP materials.

The anode exhibited outstanding electrochemical performance across a range of key industry measures, including reversible capacity of ~420mAh/g over a 100 cycle average with a retention of 99.5% and coulombic efficiency of 99.9%. The capacity measure reflects a ~20% increase in capacity performance compared to commercially available graphite anodes (usually around 330mAh/g). This is significant as increased battery energy density translates into increased range for electric cars and more usage time for a mobile device.

China-based manufacturer CKCOM has launched an Indiegogo crowdfunding campaign for Alien Earbuds, offering an affordable but high quality alternative to more expensive true wireless earbuds on the market. Alien earbuds feature graphene-enhanced drivers, 4.5-hour playtime, built-in mic for hands-free calling, and multi-touch button for important gestures, and more. The campaign has already reached $15,498 USD at the time of writing, which stand for 77% of the $20,000 (flexible) goal, with a month left to go.

According to the company, the graphene drivers are "lightweight yet sturdy enough to conduct clear highs, crisp mids, and resonant bass". Graphene prevents unwanted sound distortions that come with standard audio drivers. CKCOM defines the Alien earbuds as "the first pair of true wireless earbuds that offer premium features at the lowest price on the market. Alien Earbuds have all of the bases covered: they're perfect for exercising, traveling, and working out".

A team of Researchers from Japan and Taiwan have created a new CVD approach to grow graphene at temperatures as low as 50 °C using a dilute methane vapor source and a molten gallium catalyst. Reducing the temperature in graphene CVD synthesis methods can be extremely beneficial integration of graphene in various applications, like the direct integration of CVD-grown graphene into electronic devices.

The team explains that in silicon-based electronics, the upper temperature threshold that the components can withstand upon graphene integration is around 400 °C. The threshold is even lower for plastic semiconducting devices, which can only withstand up to 100 °C during the graphene growing process. Under traditional conditions, graphene growth occurs at around 1000 °C and has not been suitable for the direct integration into such electronic devices.