First Graphene (FGR) has reported on the initiation of a research program to test the introduction of its PureGRAPH graphene powder into natural rubber products.

The company has previously reported great success in introducing PureGRAPH into a range of polymers and other materials. These include polyurethane, thermoplastics, and glass composites. Now, First Graphene has set its sights on improving the performance of a range of natural rubber product lines.

Researchers at Tsinghua University have used lasers to make graphene on Kevlar textiles, creating protective clothing that can record the wearer’s electrocardiogram (ECG) or sense a toxic gas.

Prototype of an intelligent protective vest based on the Kevlar-laser induced graphene textile (left) with a gas sensor and battery embedded in a design on the vest (top right) also shown in false color (bottom right). Credit: ACS Nano

Yingying Zhang and colleagues at Tsinghua University used a carbon dioxide laser to write on Kevlar, a synthetic polyamide fiber generally used to make body armor and personal protective clothing. The laser burned and depolymerized the Kevlar fibers and the carbon atoms recombined to form graphene, as shown by Raman spectroscopy. Using a motorized setup for the laser, they were able to scribe any design on the textile in minutes.

Today we published new versions of all our graphene market reports. Graphene-Info provides comprehensive niche graphene market reports, and our reports cover everything you need to know about these niche markets. The reports are now updated to April 2020.

The Graphene Batteries Market Report:

• The advantages using graphene batteries
• The different ways graphene can be used in batteries
• Various types of graphene materials
• What's on the market today
• Detailed specifications of some graphene-enhanced anode material
• Personal contact details into most graphene developers

The report package provides a good introduction to the graphene battery - present and future. It includes a list of all graphene companies involved with batteries and gives detailed specifications of some graphene-enhanced anode materials and contact details into most graphene developers. Read more here!

Chinese researchers from AECC Beijing Institute of Aeronautical Materials (AECC BIAM) have developed a new type of face mask with graphene material on the key filter layer. The researchers have reportedly put a graphene-polypropylene material on the melt-blown fabric, which is the key filter layer of masks.

The graphene material is said to help the masks features stronger antibacterial properties, better air permeability and enhanced durability. The graphene face mask makes use of the nanoknife effect of the graphene material to destroy the cell wall of bacteria.

Mercedes-Benz has reportedly created a compostable battery using organic cell chemistry, graphene and a water-based electrolyte. The battery is free of rare-earth and toxic metals, which means it can biodegrade without polluting the environment.

Mercedes-Benz' head of battery tech, Andreas Hintennach, said that while the tech is very promising, "we don't see that it's close to being used in production technology for now... It's around 15-20 years away."

​The European Commission recently invited a group of Graphene Flagship partners and associated members to set up an experimental pilot line to integrate graphene and related layered materials (GRMs) in semiconductor platforms.

The project aims to establish a European ecosystem covering the entire value chain, from tool manufacturers and chemical and material providers to pilot lines. This collaborative project will pioneer the manufacture of new prototype electronics, photonics and sensors integrating GRMs. The 2D Experimental Pilot Line (2D-EPL) will offer prototyping services to companies, research centers and academics to develop their innovative technologies based on 2D materials in an established processing platform.

​The Graphene Flagship has announced a transition into Core 3, the fourth funding cycle of the €1 Billion research initiative funded by the European Commission. In this three-year phase of the project, the Graphene Flagship expects to advance much further toward the commercialization of graphene and layered materials. While keeping an eye on fundamental research, the Graphene Flagship Core 3 will have a special focus on innovative research to boost graphene-enabled technologies to higher technology readiness levels.

It was stated that roughly 30% of Core 3 budget will fund eleven industry-led 'Spearhead Projects', each established with clear market-motivated objectives. These Spearheads focus on a wide range of application areas, but all have the common goal of developing new or improved products integrating graphene and layered materials.

Nano Graphene, AKA GrapheneCA, an engineering and technology company offering graphene based products and solutions, has announced the launch of its online store to sell its new Dr. Nano anti-bacterial coating. GraphenCA did not openly specify that this is a graphene-based product, but we assume so as GrapheneCA is a developer of graphene-based products.

Dr. Nano is a formula developed to create anti-viral environment that would protect different surfaces for a time frame of 7 to 10 years.

UK-based planarTECH has announced an agreement with Thailand-based IDEATI to market and distribute its 2AM line of graphene-enhanced bullet-proof vest and ballistic plate products for body armor.

IDEATI’s 2AM products are now in mass production for delivery to the Royal Thai Army, which has certified the products per National Institute of Justice (NIJ) standards. International testing is now underway. Minimum order quantity is 1,000 units with a lead time of 90 to 120 days.