Researchers at the National Graphene Institute (NGI) have created a method to produce scalable graphene-based yarn. Such e-textiles may have great potential for sportswear, healthcare, aerospace, and fitness applications, and so are attracting research attention worldwide.

Integrating textile-based sensors into garments in the manufacturing process is still time-consuming and complex. It is also expensive non-biodegradable, unstable, metallic conductive materials are still being used. Now, the NGI researchers have developed a process that has the potential to produce tonnes of conductive graphene-based yarn. It is possible to do this using current textile machinery without any addition to production costs. The produces graphene-based yarn is also said to be flexible, cheap, biodegradable, and washable.

Shenzhen-based Grahope New Materials (GNM) has acquired 70% of CVD graphene maker Wuxi Graphene Film from The Sixth Element Materials (who now holds 30% of WGF).

GNM focuses on the R&D of graphene heating technology and the development of graphene products in general. GNM adopts WGF's CVD graphene films in its products - for example in the graphene eye mask we recently reviewed at Graphene-Info.

Scientists from Manchester University, the Ulsan National Institute of Science & Technology and the Korea Institute of Science and Technology have developed a novel technology, which combines the fabrication procedures of planar and vertical heterostructures in order to assemble graphene-based single-electron transistors.

The schematic structure of the devices

In the study, it was demonstrated that high-quality graphene quantum dots (GQDs), regardless of whether they were ordered or randomly distributed, could be successfully synthesized in a matrix of monolayer hexagonal boron nitride (hBN). Here, the growth of GQDs within the layer of hBN was shown to be catalytically supported by the platinum (Pt) nanoparticles distributed in-between the hBN and supporting oxidised silicon (SiO₂) wafer, when the whole structure was treated by the heat in the methane gas (CH₄). It was also shown, that due to the same lattice structure (hexagonal) and small lattice mismatch (~1.5%) of graphene and hBN, graphene islands grow in the hBN with passivated edge states, thereby giving rise to the formation of defect-less quantum dots embedded in the hBN monolayer.

Researchers at MIT have utilized an everyday material - wax- to protect graphene from performance-impairing wrinkles and contaminants. Removing graphene from the substrate it’s grown on and transferring it to a new substrate is known t be challenging. Traditional methods encase the graphene in a polymer that protects against breakage but also introduces defects and particles onto graphene’s surface. These interrupt electrical flow and stifle performance.

a Schematics showing the process of paraffin-assisted graphene transfer. b Schematics showing the effect of paraffin’s thermal expansion on graphene wrinkle. c A typical paraffin-supported graphene film floated on water at different temperatures

The MIT team describes a fabrication technique that applies a wax coating to a graphene sheet and heats it up. Heat causes the wax to expand, which smooths out the graphene to reduce wrinkles. Moreover, the coating can be washed away without leaving behind much residue.

Earlier this year, the launching ceremony of the US-China Energy LNG Supply Chain System was held at Beijing International Hotel.

It is reported that the US-China Energy Group has reached a cooperative intention with CIGIU (China International Graphene Industry Union) and Beijing Association for Advanced Carbon Industry Promotion in terms of the research and development of key materials for the new-generation LNG (liquified natural gas) tanks.

Reports out of China state that Chinese authorities have audited and approved research by Linglong Tire into the "large-scare application" of graphene rubber composites in tires".

The research was conducted jointly by Beijing Tiancheng Linglong Tire, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Linglong Tire, and Beijing University of Chemical Technology. An audit was conducted by Beijing Municipal Science & Technology Commission along with other Chinese technology institutes.

It was recently announced that graphene technology developed by Directa Plus will be used to "enrich" textiles made by Italian high-end clothing and fabric maker Loro Piana.

The deal, which is for an initial duration of three years for a minimum value of €0.8 Million, will see Directa's G+ graphene technology incorporated into some of Loro Piana's fabrics and garments.

A technology developed by a team led by Dr. Núria Crivillers, researcher at the Nanomol Group at ICMAB, has been selected as a high potential innovation by the European Union (EU).

The EU recently launched the Innovation Radar tool, an initiative to identify high potential innovations and innovators in EU-funded research and to increase their visibility through the Innovation Radar website, making them available to potential users and to the society.

James Briggs has announced the successful completion of its graphene products' first production batch, which is seen as a significant milestone on the path to commercial realization. James Briggs has been working with Applied Graphene Materials on the development of graphene-based anti-corrosive coatings.

Extensive testing has demonstrated repeated and outstanding improvements in anti-corrosion performance for their automotive aerosol primer. JBL plans to launch the new range of graphene enhanced anti-corrosion aerosols under their brand Hycote .