Researchers from Japan's Kyushu University, Applied Nanolayers in the Netherlands and Germany's Technical University of Munich (TUM) have developed an eco-friendly light-emitting electrochemical cells using new molecules called dendrimers combined with biomass derived electrolytes and graphene-based electrodes.

Electroluminescence is the phenomenon where a material emits light in response to a passing electric current. Extensive resources go into research and development of various technologies that utilize this phenomenon. "One such example of an emerging technology is 'light-emitting electrochemical cells' or LECs," explains Associate Professor Ken Albrecht from Kyushu University's Institute for Materials Chemistry and Engineering and one of the leaders of the study. "They have been attracting attention because of their cost advantage over organic light emitting diodes, or OLEDs. Another reason for LECs popularity is their simplified structure."

Versarien has reported it is making progress on its turnaround strategy with significant cost savings already achieved.

This comes shortly after the Company reported a widened £3.4m pre-tax loss in its half-year results. Earlier this year, Versarien, which has previously secured partnerships with fashion label Superdry and kit suppliers of the England rugby team Umbro, said the tough economic conditions had delayed the commercialization of its products. 

Researchers at ETH Zürich, Empa, ICFO and Japan's National Institute for Materials Science have created an antenna for light sources on a chip using an unusual placement of a semiconductor material. In the future, efficient nanoscale LEDs and lasers could be produced in this way.

Modern data transmission is based, among other things, on the fact that information can be sent quickly through optical fibers in the form of light beams.
The light sources are technologically challenging. The researchers at in the recent study have laid the foundations for tiny, efficient light sources. For their mini light sources, the researchers use rules of quantum mechanics and a surprising antenna solution.

Scientists from Nanyang Technological University (NTU), Panasonic Factory Solutions Asia Pacific Pte. Ltd. (Panasonic) and Singapore Centre for 3D Printing (SC3DP) have developed a multi-material printer using multi-wavelength high-power lasers, for quick and easy 3D printing of smart, flexible devices.

The multi-material printer works by utilizing varying wavelengths of laser, creating thermal and chemical reactions capable of transforming common carbon-based materials (polyimide and graphene oxide) into a new type of highly porous graphene. The resulting structure printed with this new graphene is not only light and conductive, but it can also be printed or coated onto flexible substrates like plastics, glass, gold and fabrics, creating flexible devices.

Singapore-based ship management company, Eastern Pacific Shipping (EPS), has announced that it has teamed up with Canada-based coatings company Graphite Innovation & Technologies  (GIT) to implement its graphene-based, biocide-free propeller coating across its fleet.

EPS plans to boost the performance of its vessels by applying GIT’s eco-friendly, highly durable, and ultra-low friction foul release coating, aiming to improve and maintain CII rating over the drydocking cycle.