Graphene composites: introduction and market status - Page 2

Advanced Material Development (AMD) has entered into a commercial and technical collaboration with Xyntra Chemicals, a prominent player in the supply, manufacture, and development of polymers. The collaboration aims to develop a range of unique customized latex polymers to support AMD’s colorimetric smart sensing technologies. These polymers will be enhanced by graphene, along with additional nanomaterials. 

The immediate priority of the new partnership is to optimize Xyntra’s polymer technology to support the early-stage production of AMD's innovative vaccine vial monitor technology and create the production-ready formula that will enable Xyntra to manufacture the solution at scale under license.

While silk protein has been used in designer electronics, its use is currently limited in part because silk fibers are a messy tangle of spaghetti-like strands. To address this, researchers from Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, University of Washington, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, North Carolina State University and Xiamen University have developed a uniform two-dimensional (2D) layer of silk protein fragments, or "fibroins," on graphene. 

Scheme of silk fibroin assembly on highly oriented pyrolytic graphite (HOPG) characterized by in situ AFM. Image from Science Advances

The scientists explained that their work provides a reproducible method for silk protein self-assembly that is essential for designing and fabricating silk-based electronics. They said that the system is nontoxic and water-based, which is vital for biocompatibility.

Premier Graphene, HGI Industrial Technologies and Defense Atomics have announced a strategic partnership aimed at advancing the production and application of graphene in ballistic protection technologies. This collaboration brings together expertise from the three parties to meet the growing demand for high-performance ballistic solutions.

The partnership focuses on the feasibility studies and testing of hardware developed by Defense Atomics, that integrates advanced graphene solutions for enhanced ballistic protection, ensuring compliance with the security protocols required for classified government contracts.

Mito Material Solutions has announced a product line expansion by core sporting customer St. Croix Fly. In October 2023, Mito shared how the fly fishing rod company incorporated its functionalized graphene into the composite rods to enable faster recovery, increase torsional rigidity and improve strength-to-weight ratios.

St. Croix’s Technica Series rods were conceived and delivered to give anglers “the upper hand in the trickiest of trout-fishing situations.” Its responsive, moderate action, paired with the use of carbon fiber and Mito’s graphene technology, adds to the line’s speed, endless loop stability and accuracy.

Chang Robotics, an engineering company, and Northwestern University’s INVO Lab have announced a joint venture aimed at reducing contamination from microplastics and poly-fluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in the US food supply.  

This collaboration has led to the development of GOEco, an initiative that shows that very small amounts of graphene oxide can be infused into paper products or compostable packaging materials to replace plastic and PFAS. GOEco’s primary goal is to replace the widespread use of plastics in food packaging, such as paper plates and disposable utensils. The patent-pending technology helps enhance the environmental friendliness of disposable tableware without compromising functionality.

Black Swan Graphene has announced a commercial agreement with Broadway Colours, a UK-based manufacturer of color and additive masterbatches, plastic compounds and rotational molding powders. The Company said the partnership aims to leverage Broadway’s technical expertise, manufacturing capabilities, distribution, and market reach to fast-track the commercialization of Black Swan’s graphene products.

Broadway will use Black Swan’s graphene nanoplatelets to manufacture their Graphene Enhanced Masterbatches (GEMs) targeting a variety of sectors including consumer goods, packaging, automotive, construction, defense, marine and logistics. Its new product range will also feature a bio-based polymer GEM, which Black Swan highlighted offers an eco-friendly alternative to the existing products.  

First Graphene has announced its partnership in a collaborative project aimed at advancing low-carbon hydrogen production and creating safer, more efficient storage solutions. The Company’s role will involve leveraging its expertise in graphene nanoplatelets to enhance the strength and impermeability of cryogenic hydrogen storage tanks, contributing to a project valued at around $3.72 million.

The project brings together UK and Australian expertise to develop and commercialize novel light-weight impermeable cryogenic all-composite tanks (Type-V) for the safe storage of liquid hydrogen.

Canada-based Evercloak's HVAC technology recently received a funding boost, with CAD$1.1 million (over USD$807,000) in funding from Natural Resources Canada's Energy Innovation Program (EIP).

The EIP funding supports a $1.8M project enabling Evercloak to accelerate the development of their membrane-based system, which can cut the energy required for air conditioning and dehumidification by up to 50%. According to the Company's founder and CEO, Evelyn Allen, those reductions will be crucial as global temperatures rise.

Black Swan Graphene has announced the release of its fourth commercial Graphene Enhanced Masterbatch ("GEM") product, as it continues to deploy broad commercialization efforts.

This new thermoplastic polyurethane ("TPU") masterbatch is an addition to the GraphCore 01 product line. TPU is a versatile polymer that combines the properties of rubber and plastic, making it an ideal material for a variety of applications ranging from industrial to consumer goods; inflatable products are particularly well suited for this new GEM. Using this new GEM, Black Swan has reportedly demonstrated a 25% improvement in light weighting capability, along with other mechanical performance improvements.

Graphene Composites USA (GC) has been selected to participate in a research and development program between DEVCOM Soldier Center, Natick MA and UMass Lowell, to develop materials for the next generation of U.S. military footwear.

The program, SWIFT [Supporting Warfighters through Innovative Footwear Technologies], is offered by the HEROES (Harnessing Emerging Research Opportunities to Empower Soldiers) initiative and will see GC extend its patented GC Composite graphene and aerogel technology to develop ultra-lightweight, durable, insulative materials for use in extreme cold weather.