Construction materials - Page 7

CleanGraph, a chemical manufacturing company, has announced that it revealed a new process to transform graphite into graphene.

"Expanded graphite is a layered nanocarbon material, which is produced at industrial scale by oxidative intercalation and high-temperature expansion of natural graphite. CleanGraph is a novel proprietary process to chemically modify graphite into various forms of graphene in a faster, more productive and ecologically friendly way," said the Company's scientific team.

We're happy to announce that we're working on a new market report, that will focus on graphene-enhanced construction materials - mainly cement, concrete, mortar and asphalt.

We are at the final stages of the report, and expect to publish it in a few weeks. We'd like to call out to graphene developers and construction related companies - if you want to be featured in our report, now is the time! we'll be happy to receive information, datasheets, brochures, etc.

First Graphene (FGR) says that its fourth quarter (FY22) revenues reached a record 359,000 AUD. Its full-year (FY2022) revenues increased 111% to $723,000 AUD.

First Graphene says that its strong performance in the last quarter was driven by several significant orders for its graphene materials, and also new application/research development services. The composites and plastics segments contributed 46% of its revenues in the quarter, followed by cement/concrete (31%). Coatings, adhesives, sealants and elastomers contributed 12%.

Graphenea, Lantania (an international group that builds large transport, water and energy infrastructures) and the Polytechnic University of Madrid (UPM) recently developed a graphene-enhanced additive that enhances the expected useful life of concrete by 50%, as well as its resistance to adverse environmental conditions and its mechanical behavior. After verifying its effectiveness in the laboratory, the new additive was tested on a non-structural element of the Almudévar Reservoir construction project.

The test was conducted by adding an improved graphene admixture to concrete with a 30 MPa compressive strength. Its overall efficacy was evaluated during mixing in the concrete plant, when still fresh and through noting the effects on the concrete during transport and placement. Mechanical behavior and durability tests in aggressive environments were then carried out.

A UK-based start-up called Vector Homes, working on new techniques and materials for sustainable housing using graphene, has announced securing nearly £200,000 (almost USD$245,800) in Smart Grant funding by Innovate UK.

The money will help fund a research program to develop graphene-enhanced recycled plastic formulations for residential construction. The project will enhance polymers with nano-materials to increase strength, durability, thermal and acoustic performance and further recyclability.

Gerdau Graphene has announced that it has created a new water-based graphene-enhanced architectural paint that is significantly more durable and resistant to abrasion than traditional paints. The new paint could be used on concrete, cement, metal, and asphalt, such as on sidewalks, bicycle lanes, garages, staircases, sports courts, and a wide array of commercial and industrial areas.

Its parent company, Gerdau, reportedly began applying the new paint to its factory floors in March, making it the world’s first large-scale use of a water-based graphene-enhanced architectural paint. The company is already selling its proprietary graphene additives as development prototypes to major paint producers in the Americas.

A Washington State University (WSU) research team recently showed that used single-use masks, of the kind made ubiquitous in the pandemic, can be incorporated into a cement mixture (with the help of graphene oxide) to create stronger, more durable concrete. The team found that the mixture using mask materials was 47% stronger than commonly used cement after a month of curing.

These waste masks actually could be a valuable commodity if you process them properly, said Xianming Shi, professor and interim chair of the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering and the corresponding author on the paper. I’m always looking out for waste streams, and my first reaction is ‘how do I turn that into something usable in concrete or asphalt?’

Versarien, an advanced engineering materials group and provider of graphene-enhanced cement admixture, recently announced the launch of its "Lunar" lifestyle pods. Lunar is Versarien's first 3D printed concrete product made with Cementene, Versarien's graphene-enhanced cement.

The launch involved Neill Ricketts, CEO of Versarien, unveiling a building printed with Cementene, at the Company's production facilities in Longhope, Gloucestershire. Known as Versarien Lunar, this is a milestone project for a 3D-concrete printed product with a graphene additive. The versatile pods can be used as an office, studio, gym, or leisure room. The pod's wall design shows the level of detail, flexibility and precision that can be achieved with 3D-concrete printing.

Two stretches of an Oxford, UK road will be resurfaced with GiPave, a graphene-enhanced asphalt material, to test the benefits of the product which can significantly increase the life of a road.

Marsh Lane in Oxford, which carries around 10,000 vehicles a day along a key city route, will be used for the trial. Half of a 700-metre stretch of the road will be laid with GiPave, while the rest will be resurfaced using conventional asphalt, so that the two surfaces can be compared accurately.

A new initiative has been established, to explore the development of various applications for graphene, from graphene-infused asphalt and concrete to water filtration systems.

To this end, researchers at the U.S. Army Engineer Research and Development Center (ERDC) will be working with top research institutions and experts from the University of Mississippi (UM), Jackson State University (JSU) and Rice University. The collaboration will explore graphene’s unique abilities in uses ranging from advanced materials-by-design to self-sensing infrastructure.