First Graphene - Page 8

Advanced materials company First Graphene has announced that it has entered into a binding Memorandum of Understanding with SupremeSAT for the development of graphene-enhanced components for SupremeSAT's Miniature Satellite Assembly Project. The collaboration with FGR will aim to develop graphene-enhanced components, for both strength and weight reduction, and also heat and radiation shielding.

SupremeSAT is working on the Project with EnduroSAT of Bulgaria. Two leading universities in the USA will be joining this project shortly. The Project will test satellite interconnectivity and data exchange between satellites and a data relay within a constellation. Initially a duo of 1.5U Cube Satellites will be assembled at SupremeSAT's Satellite Assembling facility - Pallekele - Kandy, with hardware for the satellites, training and other variants of engineering support coming from EnduroSAT.

First Graphene raised 3.4 million AUD (around $2.6 USD) in a placement which was strongly supported by European-based and institutional investors.

The funds will help expand the company’s high-quality graphene products, which it produces from Sri Lankan vein graphite, into European industrial markets.

First Graphene has announced the completion of a strategic capital raising.The Company raised AUD3.2 million (just over $2.5 million USD), in a placement reportedly undertaken following an approach to FGR from a European-based industrialist wanting to introduce graphene to its products.

In November 2017, First Graphene announced the opening of its Commercial Graphene Facility (CGF).

In November 2017, First Graphene announced the official opening of its Commercial Graphene Facility (CGF). Now, the Company shared what it views as a significant milestone, "not just for the Company but also for the global graphene industry" - the commencement of production from its CGF at Henderson, Western Australia.

The facility has been reportedly constructed for less than the $1m budget previously advised. The Company has also installed a laboratory to perform constant quality assurance and control procedures. Having purchased its own Raman spectrograph, FGR is able to complete various testing procedures on its own premises.

First Graphene has provided an update on its work with the Swinburne University of Technology (SUT) on the development of the BEST Battery. FGR holds a 70% interest in Graphene Solutions, the company which has contracted with the Swinburne University of Technology to advance the supercapacitor technology.

FGR supplied the following highlights: a pilot production line for manufacturing the BEST Battery has been set up, able to manufacture a commercial prototype of BEST Battery that reportedly meets the industrial requirements and standards. It was said that the single layer BEST Battery is able to hold LED light for 15-20 minutes on only several seconds of charging time, and that an eight layer prototype was achieved. Scale-up work is continuing with steady improvements in performance, as does the optimization of design aspects and processes. FGR reports the use of raw materials to improve efficiencies in both cost and performance. Also reported were prototype designs for graphene-based flexible smart watchbands that will reportedly offer great advantages over existing watches in weight, charging times and battery life.

First Graphene has provided an update on its work with the University of Adelaide (UoA) on graphene for enhancement of industrial building products. The UoA is testing FGR graphene, with the aim of making smart cement with conductive graphene flakes with aims to address the concerns of cracking and corrosion and provide conductivity for better monitoring of the health of concrete structures.

According to FGR, the first test results indicate the addition of 0.03% standard graphene is the optimal quantity of graphene from the test conducted to date, showing a 22 - 23 % increase in compressive and tensile strength, respectively. The addition of more standard graphene does not reportedly increase or decrease the strength of the concrete material when compared to the control in this test work.

Swinburne researchers have received 3.45 million AUD (around $2.64 USD) in funding to continue work on a project investigating energy storage alternatives using graphene oxide. Swinburne will receive the grant as part of the Cooperative Research Centres Projects (CRC-P) funds commissioned by the Australian Government. The Swinburne Centre for Micro-Photonics is collaborating with Flinders University as well as First Graphene and Kremford.

The ‘High performance energy storage alternative to lithium ion batteries’ project is working towards creating commercially viable and chemical-free batteries using graphene. This involves the production of a graphene oxide-based supercapacitor. Swinburne Researchers are developing the Bolt Electricity Storage Technology (BEST) battery a graphene oxide-based supercapacitor offering high performance and low-cost energy storage.

First Graphene has provided an update on its development of the FireStop graphene-enhanced fire retardant coating in the form of a video. Development of the FireStop material is being conducted in conjunction with the University of Adelaide as part of the Company’s participation as a Tier 1 participant in the ARC Research Hub for Graphene Enabled Industry Transformation.

The video shows the dramatic effectiveness of FireStop when applied to simple wooden structures. Whereas the untreated structure on the left is totally consumed by fire, the structure treated with the FireStop retardant doesn’t seem to catch fire even after five minutes of trying. Given that fires generally start at specific ignition points, the ability of a graphene-based retardant to stop the ignition is a key feature of the product.

A new graphene-focused research and development hub is being launched at the University of Adelaide. The ARC Research Hub for Graphene Enabled Industry Transformation will develop high-value products and innovative solutions for industries as diverse as agriculture, mining, construction, medical technologies, and defense.

The Research Hub will be supporting commercialization of graphene research in a partnership between universities and industry partners. It is funded by the Australian Government through the Australian Research Council’s Industrial Transformation Research Hubs scheme with a $2.6 million grant, with industry partners contributing over $3 million.

First Graphene has received a 1.5 Million Australian Dollars (around $1.12 USD) grant from the CRC-P , with funding commencing in 2018.

Just last month, in November 2017, First Graphene announced the opening of it commercial graphene facility.