Graphene composites: introduction and market status - Page 3

Solidion Technology, an advanced battery technology solutions provider, has announced its plan to begin expanding the production capacity of silicon-rich graphene composite materials in early 2025.

The amount of energy that a lithium-ion battery can supply to an electric vehicle (EV) is limited by the amount of charges stored in its anode and cathode materials. Although graphite has been the preferred anode material during the past 30 years, silicon oxide (SiOx) and silicon (Si) are two evolving anode materials capable of improving the energy density of EV batteries and extending the EV range by 20-40%. However, the higher-capacity gain of both silicon and silicon oxide is limited by the technical issue of large volume change-induced rapid capacity decay and processing difficulty. Solidion has targeted this technical obstacle and has established a Dayton, Ohio-based facility for manufacturing silicon oxide (SiOx) and silicon (Si). The Solidion team is ready to expand the production capacity for these two types of high-capacity anode materials.

Black Swan Graphene has announced it has entered into a commercial partnership with Graphene Composites (GC). The Companies will aim to incorporate Black Swan's graphene in the fabrication of GC Shield, a patented ballistic protection technology ("GC Shields"). 

The Company highlighted that GC Shields, with its patented graphene-aerogel composite, have unique force dispersion capabilities which protect users from multiple shots, stacked rounds, and edge impacts while maintaining minimum back face deformation. They are among the strongest, lightest, and most resilient ballistic shields on the market for the law enforcement and defense sectors, according to Black Swan.

Graphmatech, a materials technology company, and MTC Powder Solutions (MTC PS), a leading company in hot isostatic pressing (HIP), have announced the signing of a cooperation agreement to develop advanced metal-graphene composites for various industrial applications. This partnership aims to offer cutting-edge HIPed metal-graphene solutions to global industries.

Graphmatech's graphene-engineered metal powder combines the exceptional properties of graphene with various metals. This technology brings metals to new levels of performance, making them ideal for applications in electrification, energy-related and high-precision sectors. MTC PS plans to develop and offer HIPed metal-graphene for a wide range of electrification, energy, and Big Science, applications further propelling the transition towards a sustainable future.

The Australian Olympic Committee (AOC) has welcomed Sydney sailing apparel company Zhik as an official supplier for Australian Olympic Team sailors at the Paris Olympics. 

The eco-friendly water sports apparel by Zhik will be made from sustainable, plant-based Yulex rubber, with superior thermal insulation, comfort and durability, all while generating 80% fewer CO₂ emissions than conventional neoprene wetsuits. The fabric is infused with graphene, that can help return up to 20% more body heat, keeping bodies warmer for longer, regulating temperatures during low-intensity activities and aiding the drying process.

Black Swan Graphene has announced the commercialization of a new product, the GraphCore family of graphene nanoplatelets products. These products, now in full production volume, are tailored to meet a diverse range of needs within the polymer industry, offering various forms including powders and polymer-ready masterbatches.

According the the Company, in addition to double-digit tensile property improvements with less than 1.0% loading, performance enhancements seen at global customer industrial trials include:

* 25% weight reduction with 1.5% loading in TPU;
* More than 20% impact resistance improvement in PP at 0.2% loading; and
* More than 40% improvement in barrier properties in PLA at 1.0% loading.

GrapheneUP®, an industry vanguard in manufacturing verified few-layer graphene and a diverse array of graphene-centric intermediary products, announces the debut of MASTERGUP® — an innovative line of thermoplastic masterbatches. This breakthrough harnesses the transformative potential of graphene, setting a new benchmark for sustainability and recyclability within multiple sectors.

Graphene, distinguished by its exceptional strength and conductivity, imparts enhanced thermoplastic properties, including mechanical robustness, thermal stability, and gas barrier properties. These advancements extend the lifespan of products and significantly reduce waste, thereby contributing to more excellent environmental stewardship. Moreover, incorporating the graphene GUP® into thermoplastic matrices elevates processability, streamlining the molding, reshaping, and recycling processes. GUP®-fortified thermoplastics demonstrate remarkable endurance through repeated recycling, mitigating material degradation — a commendable achievement in material sustainability.

2D Fab has become a partner of the new consortium BioGlue-Centre, a collaborative initiative to make Sweden a front runner in the development of bio-based adhesives. 

BioGlue-Centre is a collaborative effort between three universities and 12 companies, including 2D Fab. With a shared focus on advancing adhesive technologies, the Centre addresses the critical need for sustainability by accelerating the development of bio-based alternatives within the adhesive industry.

Levidian has unveiled its first prototype truck tire, combining graphene with carbon black in a new tread formulation. Launched this week at the Tire Technology Expo in Hannover, the graphene-enhanced natural rubber and butadiene rubber tire tread compound, typically used in commercial vehicle tires, has been shown to deliver significant improvements in the mechanical and dynamic properties of the tire.

Independent testing by the Tun Abdul Razak Research Centre (TARRC) has reportedly shown that the addition of Levidian’s 'net zero graphene' can deliver a reduction in rolling resistance of around 23%. Initial results have also indicated potential for reduced compound density that could allow for lighter tires overall. It was said that overall, this could deliver substantial improvements in fuel efficiency of 3-4%.  

Researchers from China's Zhengzhou University, Ningbo University and Jilin University have used nanodiamonds as precursors to make centimeter-sized diamond/graphene composites under moderate pressure and temperature conditions (12 GPa and 1,300 to 1,500 °C). The composite is reportedly able to conduct electricity while maintaining its ultra-hardness.

This work could pave the way for realizing large-sized diamond-based materials with ultrahigh electrical conductivity and superior mechanical properties under moderate synthesis conditions, which will facilitate their large-scale applications in a variety of fields.

MITO Material Solutions has teamed up with Vartega, developer of recycled carbon-fiber composites, on a new composite material project. The two companies incorporated MITO’s graphene-based materials into carbon fiber reinforced thermoplastics. Vartega incorporated MITO’s liquefied graphene into their Fenix fiber EasyFeed bundle products – now offered as Fenix Fiber+, which supplies excellent performance with recycled materials.

Because carbon fiber manufacturing is an energy intensive process, waste diversion is a big factor in improving its sustainability. Carbon fiber is typically made from polyacrylonitrile (PAN) precursor fiber that has been stretched and heated at high temperatures to first oxidize and then carbonize the material. These high temperatures coupled with PAN fibers traditionally coming from fossil fuels, means that carbon fiber has a considerable carbon footprint. By diverting waste carbon fibers from landfill, Vartega resets the material’s embodied energy to zero. Vartega’s recycled carbon fiber is 95% less energy intensive than virgin carbon fiber.