Graphene applications: what is graphene used for?

A team of Spain-based researchers has developed a highly sensitive detector for identifying molecules via their infrared vibrational “fingerprint”. The new detector converts incident infrared light into ultra-confined "nanolight" in the form of phonon polaritons within the detector´s active area. This mechanism serves two crucial purposes: it improves the detector's overall sensitivity and enhances the vibrational fingerprint of nanometer-thin molecular layer placed on top of the detector, allowing this molecular fingerprint to be more easily detected and analyzed. 

The compact design and room-temperature operation of the device hold promise for developing ultra-compact platforms for molecular and gas sensing applications.

Researchers from Radboud University Medical Center and Biointerface Laboratory RWTH Aachen University Hospital have used graphene to develop a new technique that allows them to image biological processes as they occur, with enough detail to see protein complexes move. They have demonstrated the method by showing, for the first time, how calcium deposits into a form that may lead to calcification of the arteries and aortic valve.

Schematic overview of the cryo-to-liquid-CLEM workflow. Image from: Advanced Functional Materials

The team explained that liquid phase electron microscopy (LP-EM) has emerged as a powerful technique for in situ observation of material formation in liquid. The use of graphene as window material provides, according to the scientists, new opportunities to image biological processes because of graphene's molecular thickness and electron scavenger capabilities. However, in most cases the process of interest is initiated when the graphene liquid cells (GLCs) are sealed, meaning that the process cannot be imaged at early timepoints. So, they developed a novel cryogenic/liquid phase correlative light/electron microscopy workflow that addresses the delay time between graphene encapsulation and the start of the imaging, while combining the advantages of fluorescence and electron microscopy.

Researchers from CNR-IOM, University of Milano-Bicocca, University of Trieste and University of Vienna have developed a method to create new materials that combine the extraordinary properties of single metal atoms with the robustness, flexibility, and versatility of graphene.

Co and Ni adatoms diffusing across the substrate surface before being incorporated in the growing edge of the Gr layer. Image from: Science Advances 

The method involves the controlled deposition of metal atoms, such as cobalt, during the formation of the graphene layer on a nickel surface. Some of these atoms are incorporated into the carbon network of graphene, creating a material with exceptional properties of robustness, reactivity, and stability even under critical conditions.

Researchers at Florida State University (FSU), Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) and Wuhan University have examined how physical manipulations of graphene, such as layering and twisting, impact its optical properties and conductivity. 

The team, led by Assistant Professor Guangxin Ni, along with Assistant Professor Cyprian Lewandowski and graduate research assistant Ty Wilson, found that the conductivity of twisted bilayer graphene is not heavily impacted by physical or chemical manipulations and instead depends more on how the material’s minute geometry structure changes by interlayer twisting — a revelation that opens the door for additional studies on how lower temperatures and frequencies impact graphene’s properties.

HydroGraph Clean Power has announced a technological advancement in its sustainable plastic packaging research. 

As the global polyethylene terephthalate (PET) packaging industry faces unprecedented regulatory pressure to reduce virgin plastic consumption, HydroGraph has found that its Fractal Graphene powder (FGA-1) can dramatically improve the performance and sustainability of PET bottles.

Inovartic Investment Lanka, a joint venture between Sri Lanka’s Apex Asia Holdings and UAE’s Inovartic Investment, has announced the launch of the Abu Dhabi University Graphene Center – an advanced facility dedicated to pioneering research in graphene technology.

This center was inaugurated at Abu Dhabi University to drive scientific progress and international collaborations in nanotechnology, aligning with the UAE’s “Make It in the UAE” initiative. This ambitious project brings together Inovartic Investment, Abu Dhabi University, and the Sri Lanka Institute of Nano Technology (SLINTEC) to explore graphene applications across sectors, including electronics, medical devices, EV batteries, water treatment, agriculture, materials science, and energy.

Researchers from the Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST), Korea Institute of Machinery & Materials and Seoul National University of Science and Technology (SEOULTECH) have shown that laser-induced graphene (LIG), patterned with femtosecond laser pulses, can serve as a versatile material for temperature/strain sensing, stray light absorption, and heat management for smart spacesuits and telescopes. 

Direct laser writing of laser-induced graphene (LIG). Image from: Advanced Functional Materials 

The team has developed a manufacturing technique that addresses the challenges posed by the harsh conditions that space equipment must function in. The scientists' new process uses precisely controlled laser pulses to transform a Kevlar's surface into a porous graphene structure, effectively converting ordinary Kevlar fabric into a multifunctional material. 

A new graphene-based ink, which can be used for printed electronics, has been developed by Danish Graphene, in collaboration with the Danish Technological Institute, in a MADE demonstration project. 

Danish Graphene wanted to develop graphene in ink form to use it for printed electronics, where surfaces are coated with electrical circuits. Therefore, they sought help in a MADE material demonstration project, where they received assistance from the Danish Technological Institute. Graphene inks could be used in smart wearables, such as intelligent t-shirts that can detect small electrical impulses and thus track your pulse, or in training shoes that can analyze your running pattern.

Researchers from Northwestern University and University of California have developed a strategy that prevents frost formation - the team reported a hybrid surface design that passively controls the diffusion of water vapor over a surface to sustain flat frost-free regions for long periods of time. The hybrid anti-frosting technique can prevent frosting for potentially weeks at a time and is scalable, durable and fabricated through 3D printing.

The team found that tweaking the texture of any surface and adding a thin layer of graphene oxide prevents 100% of frost from forming on surfaces for one week or potentially even longer. This is 1,000 times longer than current, state-of-the-art anti-frosting surfaces. As a bonus, the new scalable surface design is also resistant to cracks, scratches and contamination.

Researchers at the Technical University of Liberec (Czech Republic) and Lodz University of Technology (Poland) have developed a silver/graphene flexible composite electrode using inkjet printing technology for high-performance supercapacitors. 

The scientists chose rGO as the primary material for the electrode active layer. The rGO active layer was in-situ printed and reduced on the polypropylene non-woven fabric, and silver nanoparticles were simultaneously inserted and reduced to increase the interlayer spacing of the rGO active layer, which effectively reduced the self-stacking effect of rGO and improved the overall electrochemical performance.