November 2017

Researchers at the Institute for Basic Science (IBS, South Korea), in collaboration with teams from the University of Birmingham and the Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST), have developed unique graphene-based lenses with tunable features. These optical devices, made of graphene and a punctured gold surface, could become optical components for advanced applications like amplitude tunable lenses, lasers (i.e. vortex phase plates), and dynamic holography.

The scientists explain that metasurfaces are new 2D materials that can effectively control the electric and magnetic components of light (and other electromagnetic waves) and bend them to chosen directions. Controlling the beam's direction can bring out interesting phenomena; the most incredible being the "invisibility cloak effect", where light waves bypass an object recreating the image beyond the object.

First Graphene has announced that its Commercial Graphene Facility (CGF) was officially opened on Thursday 23 November 2017.

In his remarks at the opening FGR Chairman, Warwick Grigor stated This Facility represents both the completion of one journey and the commencement of another.. Mr Grigor went on to explain the first part of the journey had commenced in May 2015 when testing of FGR’s was undertaken at the University of Adelaide. The tests were done, and they confirmed that not only could graphene be recovered, but of the 50 or more types of graphite that Professor Dusan Losic and his team had tested, the vein graphite gave the best results.

Samsung has announced the development of a unique "graphene ball" that could make lithium-ion batteries last longer and charge faster. In fact, Samsung Advanced Institute of Technology (SAIT) said that using the new graphene ball material to make batteries will increase their capacity by 45% and make their charging speed five times faster. It was also said that batteries that use graphene ball can maintain a temperature of 60 degrees Celsius that is required for use in electric cars.

SAIT's team used a chemical vapor deposition process to grow a graphenesilica assembly, called a graphene ball. Each graphene ball is composed of a SiO_x nanoparticle center and surrounding graphene layers, constituting a 3D popcorn-like structure. The graphene-ball coating improves cycle life and fast charging capability by suppressing detrimental side reactions and providing efficient conductive pathways.

Sweden-based 2D Fab AB will join SAAB and Blackwing Sweden in developing new graphene-based components to the aviation industry. The idea is relying on graphene's combination of strength and electrical conductivity to create lighter components that will withstand lightning better and thereby reduce the maintenance need.

"We realize that the same type of composite properties are of great interest for the automotive industry as well, although that is a longer term goal. The potential in these markets is huge when we see it taking off. says 2D fabs CEO Sven Forsberg.

Talga Resources has announced positive initial test results from epoxy resin-based coatings formulated using Talga’s Talphene branded graphene. Epoxy based coatings are used in various applications, from internal concrete flooring to urban construction products, and they particularly suit anti-corrosion applications.

Talga’s tests used a formulated dispersion of Talga’s few layered graphene (FLG) and graphene nanoplatelets (GNP), mixed into a two-part epoxy resin. Initial test results show significantly improved coating performance attributes including higher corrosion resistance, increased mechanical strength and higher abrasion resistance compared to the control coatings using commercial type zinc-rich epoxy. Among the key performance gains reported (against control epoxy coatings) are 160% increase in tensile strength, 80% increase in abrasion resistance and 2 orders of magnitude decrease in corrosion rate over zinc-rich epoxy.

The NGI at The University of Manchester and William Blythe have announced the start of a new joint research project, targeting the development of high capacity graphene-related materials for use in the electric vehicle market.

The project will combine William Blythe’s core capabilities in inorganic synthetic chemistry and their graphene-oxide with the specialist experience of The University of Manchester’s Professor Robert Dryfe and the energy storage team at the NGI.

Following recently performed experiments in weightlessness, a team of TU Delft researchers has found that graphene sheets may be used as light sails for spacecraft.

As part of the ESA's yearly Drop Your Thesis! program, in which teams of university students submit proposals for microgravity experiments, scientists from TU Delft have worked with experts from across Europe to develop their experiments. They subsequently tested them at the ZARM drop tower at the Center of Applied Space Technology and Micro gravity in Bremen, Germany.

Directa Plus has announced its collaboration with Iterchimica, am Italy-based producer and distributor of specialized additives for asphalt. The collaboration with Iterchimica is focused on developing a graphene-enhanced asphalt additive, which is patent-pending, that can significantly improve the durability and sustainability of asphalt road surfaces.

The new additive incorporating the Directa’s Graphene Plus (G+) has been launched by Iterchimica as "Eco Pave". As per reports, the success of laboratory and small-scale trials convinced Iterchimica to conduct a pilot test where Eco Pave will be used as an additive for asphalt covering several kilometers of road surface.

Update: Currently Zolo is only shipping is Liberty earphones and not the Liberty+. Both products seem to be similar, but the Liberty+ has double the battery life.

Earlier this year, Anker’s audio brand, Zolo, launched a Kickstarter campaign for its Liberty+, a pair of graphene-enhanced fully wireless earphones. The Zolo Liberty+ earphones are now available on Amazon.

The earphones cost $99, which may seem expensive but the company explains that these are already wireless and offer a whole-day battery life. It also comes with AI for smart assistance and is sweat-proof (and so suitable for use in fitness activities). The ZOLO promises super clear and immersive sound quality and the graphene-enhanced technology reportedly results in impressive treble and clarity.

UltraCharge, an Australian company based in Israel that aims to develop next-gen battery technology, has signed a cornerstone Joint Collaboration Agreement with Dotz Nano, in order to integrate graphene quantum dots (GQDs) in its anode technology for lithium-ion batteries. The agreement will see the two companies enter into a 3-month pilot cooperation program to develop longer-lasting, faster-charging and more dependable technology utilizing GQD’s.

UltraCharge and Dotz Nano intend to develop the next generation of nanoparticles producing inexpensive, non-toxic graphene quantum dots and at up to ten times the production yield compared to conventional alternatives. In addition, UltraCharge has agreed to place an initial order of a minimum of $150,000 USD worth of GQDs for use in LIB anodes, should the pilot program meet technical expectations. The initial order will be subject to UltraCharge receiving purchase orders of at least $1 million USD for their GQD-enriched anodes.