Graphene batteries: Introduction and Market News - Page 33

Researchers at the University of Melbourne succeeded in imaging how electrons move in 2D graphene, an achievement which may boost the development of next-generation electronics. The new technique overcomes usual limitations of existing methods for understanding electric currents in devices based on ultra-thin materials, and so it is capable of imaging the behavior of moving electrons in structures only one atom in thickness.

The team used a special quantum probe based on an atomic-sized 'color center' found only in diamonds to image the flow of electric currents in graphene. The technique could be used to understand electron behavior in a variety of new technologies.

Researchers from the Clemson Nanomaterials Institute and the Ural Federal University in Russia have discovered a way to make an extremely thin oxygen selective membrane using graphene. Such membranes allow only oxygen into Li-O₂ batteries while stopping or slowing water vapor intake. This could impede corrosion caused by ambient water vapor from air and push forward the usability of much-awaited Li-O₂ batteries in electric vehicles and more.

The team has developed an in situ technique to induce pores in graphene by doping it with nitrogen during the growth process. Doping the graphene sheet with nitrogen inevitably breaks some carbon bonds in graphene, opening nanoscopic pores. The researchers observed that such pores in doped graphene selectively allow oxygen, leading to oxidation of the underlying copper foil, unlike pristine graphene.

Researchers from Nec Corporation have developed a graphene-based porous material, dubbed "Magic G", that can reportedly be used in both the anode and the cathode of a lithium-ion battery, as an additive, to increase its performance.

Both the precursor and the final Magic G product were characterized through commercially available machines and methods, including field-emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), atomic force microscopy (AFM), Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR), Raman spectroscopy (NRS-7000), gas adsorption and temperature programmed desorptionmass spectrometry (TPD-MS) (Shimadzu GC/MS- QP2010 Plus). Both the anode and cathode of the cell showed a much greater performance and charge rate after the incorporation of Magic G.

Saint Jean Carbon has reported the results of the first phase of its graphene battery project, announced in January, 2017. According to SJC, while primary at this point, the graphene battery has outperformed the graphite battery, as shown by a greater discharge capacity of about 30%. Both batteries were manufactured with the same material, battery A graphite anode and B graphene anode.

The company supplied performance results, among which are the graphite anode’s theoretical capacity of 372 mAh/g and the theoretical capacity of the graphene anode of 700 mAh/g. Beyond 100 cycles the discharge capacity for the graphite was 200 to 220 mAh/g and for the graphene 310 to 330 mAh/g. The testing processes included charging to 3V at 500 mA/g and discharging to 0.05V at 100 mA/g. SJC said that neither the graphene nor graphite was enhanced so the variations in the results have to be additionally tested.

China's Hybrid Kinetic Group, a producer of lithium-ion batteries and hybrid vehicles, announced its aim to build car assemblies in three to five locations across China, with an initial production capacity of 300,000 units within three years, eventually expanding the capacity to 1 million units. While not many details were given, it was said that some of the models are to be powered by a 30 kilowatt battery using graphene with a 60 kw micro turbine power generator that theoretically can extend the battery’s range to 1,000 kilometers on each charge.

The H600 prototype by HKG

HKG is using US technology, and has commissioned designs by the Mahindra Group’s design studio Pininfarina. The company stated that expansion of the production will depend on the market reactions. and that negotiations with car part makers are going on smoothly.

Global Graphene Group (G3), a holding company for subsidiaries like Angstron Materials, has signed Heads of Agreement with Lanka Graphite, a graphite exploration company. The joint venture entity (LGR 50%, G3 50%) will develop a range of commercial graphene projects.

G3 is reportedly scaling a broad range of commercial platforms of graphene applications in several , areas like energy storage, coatings, and thermal management. Lanka Graphite will supply vein graphite product into the joint venture in addition to assisting with sourcing investment, marketing and administration. G3 proposes to supply its experience in developing IP and research grants, commercialization planning and manufacturing infrastructure.

Talga Resources, an Australia-based company focused on graphite mining and graphene supply and applications development, has announced that it has signed a joint development agreement with Zinergy UK to co-develop and supply graphene conductive inks for electrodes in thin, flexible printed batteries.

Under the terms of the agreement, Talga and Zinergy will collaborate to develop and trial graphene-based conductive ink formulations in components of the patented Zinergy ultra-thin printed battery. The development program will run for an initial 12 month period.

Researchers at Yale University have developed an ultra-thin coating material, based on graphene oxide, that has the potential to extend the life and improve the efficiency of lithium-sulfur batteries. The newly developed material is a dendrimer-graphene oxide composite film, that can be applied to any sulfur cathode.

The researchers state that sulfur cathodes coated with the material can be stably discharged and recharged for more than 1,000 cycles, enhancing the battery’s efficiency and number of cycles. In addition, they said the developed film is so thin and light it will not affect the overall size or weight of the battery, and thus it will function without compromising the energy and power density of the device.

Grafoid, the Canadian graphene R&D, investment and technology company, announced the development of its GPURE Graphene Polymer nano-porous membrane intended for next generation Li-Ion battery applications.

The GPURE graphene polymer membrane (GPM) was developed as a chemically inert, freestanding membrane using graphene composites to test ion selectivity using both monovalent and divalent ions. Ion selectivity is a key requirement for a semi permeable membrane in a Li-ion battery structure. By protecting the sensitive electrode materials from unwanted chemical species GPURE GPM diffuses only energy harvesting monovalent ions such as Li+, Na+ etc.

Update: Our sources in china say that it is highly unlikely that this battery actually has any graphene materials in it...

Chinese battery manufacturer Chaowei Power launched a new version of its Black Gold battery — a lead-acid battery that reportedly uses graphene as an additive. The company states that the battery resistance is reduced by 52% and that performance of the battery in low temperature operations has been greatly improved.

Chaowei makes lithium and lead acid automotive batteries under the Chilwee brand. Its Black Gold high-energy VRLA series was launched in February 29, 2016, when it reportedly first applied graphene technology to a commercial, mass-produced rechargeable lead battery.