SensFit Technologies developed a smart shoe with inbuilt sensors, aiming to improve the quality of life of older people through the early detection of dementia, diabetic ulcers and other physical activity issues. Now, SensFit has announced that it is partnering with Footwork Podiatric Laboratory, a leading Australian custom-made orthotic manufacturer to develop Smart Orthotics to help diabetic ulcer treatment.

This product combines two innovative technologies: Sensfit’s unique graphene sensors integrated with AI and data analysis technology, combined with Footwork’s 3D printing technology to custom manufacture large volume orthotics.

Zentek has announced that McMaster University has received two Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council (NSERC) Grants related to the aptamer-based rapid detection technology exclusively licensed by Zentek, pursuant to its license agreement with McMaster: The Alliance Missions Grant for the amount of CAD$1,000,000 (around USD$782,000) and an Idea to Innovation (I2I) Grant for the amount of CAD$350,000 (around USD$274,000) of which Zentek will make a CAD$140,000 (around USD$109,000) contribution. Both of these awards are the maximum awarded under each respective grant program, with disbursements delivered over the next two years.

The research team at McMaster University has achieved significant milestones for the rapid diagnostic platform including the creation of a new ‘universal’ aptamer with a high binding affinity to all known Covid variants, said Greg Fenton, CEO of Zentek. Zentek is proud to continue working with the global-leading research team at McMaster University, with significant financial support from NSERC, which is a great endorsement of our technology and goal of commercialization.

Graphene Manufacturing Group (GMG) has announced that it and Rio Tinto Group have signed a non-binding agreement to collaborate on energy saving and storage solutions. Rio Tinto is a mining and metals company that operates in 35 countries.

Together, GMG and Rio Tinto will explore the use of energy saving products in Rio Tinto's operations, explore working together to support GMG's development of Graphene Aluminium-Ion ("G+Al") batteries, and collaborate on mining and other industrial applications.

Researchers at the University of Colorado Boulder and Qingdao University of Science and Technology have managed to synthesize an illusive form of carbon called graphyne. Graphyne has long been of interest to scientists because of its similarities to graphene. However, despite decades of work and theorizing, only a few fragments have ever been created before now.

"The whole audience, the whole field, is really excited that this long-standing problem, or this imaginary material, is finally getting realized," said Yiming Hu, lead author on the paper.

Here are some recent and popular graphene news that you may find of interest:

• PolyJoule unveils graphene-enhanced polymer batteries
• Many graphene companies see their share price plummet, is it a buying opportunity?
• Haydale to lead project for high barrier monolayer films for food packaging
• NeoGraf Solutions inaugurates its 750-ton graphene production facility
• Two-Universe model inspired by bi-layer graphene
• Nova Graphene to develop graphene-enhanced coatings for helicopter rotors
• WearGraphene's graphene-enhanced jacket - a hands-on review
• Are graphene batteries finally getting closer to commercialization?
• Graphene assists in taking a step toward ultrafast computers
• Companies respond to graphene masks "health hazard" scare
• Graphene oxide gives a boost to new intranasal flu vaccine
• What's next for graphene in the construction industry?

Egypt's Ministry of Foreign Affairs has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Energy 3 to build a waste recycling station that produces biofuel and graphene.

The Global Environment Facility had reportedly granted Egypt $8 million to localize electronic and medical waste recycling technology. It had equally granted Egypt $8.1 million to carry out the Sustainable Management of Persistent Organic Pollutants (PoPs) Project.

A new work by scientists at India's National Institute of Technology Rourkela describes the fabrication of extremely flexible, accurate, and robust strain sensors employing electrochemically produced reduced graphene oxide (rGO).

Conventional silicon-based strain sensors have relatively low flexibility of less than 5% and inadequate responsiveness, making them unsuitable for detecting both small and large strains. Aside from the flexibility constraint, typical silicon-based strain sensors need sophisticated manufacturing procedures such as microelectromechanical and deposition of thin films. Flexibility, responsiveness, and endurance are critical characteristics of wearable devices because they aid in the integration of the sensors over non-uniform interfaces such as the human body. Aside from elasticity, these products also need a sensor capable of detecting minute deformations caused by physiological factors and physical activity.

Versarien announced its latest financial results. The company reports increased interest from global companies, with an increase in revenues and a drop in net loss.

In the year that ended on March 2022, Versarien's revenues grew to £7.6 million, up from £5.7 million a year ago. The group's graphene revenues grew by 170% to £1.9 million. The company's operating loss decreased to £1.04 million (down from £1.88 a year ago). Versarien reported it had £3.1 million in cash and equivalents at the end of the quarter.

Skeleton Technologies and ZPUE, the largest manufacturer of electrical devices for electrical power distribution utilities in Poland, have entered into a commercial agreement to provide energy storage solutions to the Polish market.

The two companies signed a Letter of Intent under which Skeleton should supply supercapacitors for rail wayside storage at 200 MW per year from 2023 to 2025.

HydroGraph Clean Power has announced that it is targeting Q3 2022 for commercial scale production at its Manhattan, KS manufacturing plant. To do this, the Company will be leveraging manufacturing technology developed at Kansas State University and kicking off a five-year plant expansion and job creation plan for the Manhattan region.

HydroGraph technology manufactures graphene and other materials, using its technology — the Hyperion detonation system — that is reportedly "ideal for commercial scale: compact and modular, with the small footprint allowing for deployment virtually anywhere". The Company’s initial go-to-market product of graphene, with hydrogen production process in development, marks the beginning for a platform of products in the advanced materials and energy spaces.