University of Manchester - Page 11

Researchers from The University of Manchester recently demonstrated flexible graphene-based supercapacitors printed directly on to textiles using a simple screen-printing technique.

The solid-state flexible supercapacitor device has been demonstrated by using conductive graphene-oxide ink to print onto cotton fabric. The printed electrodes reportedly exhibited excellent mechanical stability due to the strong interaction between the ink and textile substrate.

University of Manchester researchers, from the i-composite lab, have devised a method to characterize the dispersion of nanoparticles in polymer nanocomposites using non-contact infrared thermography mapping that measures the thermal diffusivity (α) of the graphene nanocomposite and relates α to a dispersion index.

The main advantage of the proposed method is its ability to evaluate dispersion over a large area at reduced effort and cost, in addition to measuring the thermal properties of the system. The actual resolution of this thermal mapping reaches 200μm per pixel, giving an accurate picture of graphene nanoplatelets (GNP) dispersion.

Researchers from the University of Manchester recently demonstrated fully scalable prototypes of graphene membranes capable of producing heavy water. This new development could possibly lead to the reduction of CO₂ emissions associated with heavy water production by up to a million tonnes each year.

the Manchester team presented fully scalable prototype membranes and demonstrated isotope separation in pilot scale studies. They found that the high efficiency of the separation would allow for a significant reduction of the input amount of raw isotope mixtures that needs to be processed. This reduces both the capital costs and the energy requirements.

JTX (officially Shandong Prosperous Star Optoelectronics Co) demonstrated its graphene-enhanced LED lighting bulbs at the Hong Kong lighting fair. These LED lighting devices use graphene coating that aid in heat dissipation and thus contribute to longer lifetime and better efficiency.

JTX is a relatively new company (established in May 2014 in China) that is involved with the entire LED lighting value chain (from LED chips and filaments to complete light bulbs). In July 2016 JTX was merged with Graphene Lighting PLC that developed the graphene lighting technology in collaboration with Manchester University and the NGI.

Scientists at The University of Manchester have made a breakthrough in the field of graphene oxide membranes for water desalination. Previous research at The University of Manchester found that when immersed in water, graphene oxide membranes become slightly swollen and smaller salts flow through the membrane along with water, but larger ions or molecules are blocked. Now, the team has devised a strategy to avoid the swelling of the membrane when exposed to water. The pore size in the membrane can be precisely controlled which can sieve common salts out of salty water and make it safe to drink.

When the common salts are dissolved in water, they form a 'shell' of water molecules around the salt molecules. This allows the tiny capillaries of the graphene oxide membranes to block the salt from flowing along with the water. Water molecules are able to pass through the membrane barrier and flow anomalously fast which is ideal for application of these membranes for desalination.

The University of Manchester and The UAE-based Masdar Institute of Science and Technology have announced a $500,000 (AED1.8 million) funding from the UK, for a recently declared collaborative research program. It seems that this funding is directly aimed at a project that uses graphene to improve water desalination techniques.

Global resource management leader Veolia, UK-based membrane processes technologies leader Modern Water and leading mineral project developer Neometals, will participate in this collaborative research project as industrial partners and potential end-users.

Researchers from The University of Manchester have conducted a study that presents a review of the three steps of manufacturing graphene/epoxy nano-composites. The possible pre-treatments of nanoparticles before dispersion are introduced, and their influence on the final nanocomposite properties discussed.

SEM images of fracture surface of aligned GNP based epoxy composite

The study stresses interesting results, among which are improvements in various characteristics via the use of GNPs. For instance, an improvement of the thermal diffusivity of 220% was seen when compared to a non-oriented GNP epoxy sample. The work demonstrates how the addition of functionalized graphene platelets to an epoxy resin will allow it to act as electrical and thermal conductor rather than as insulator. The mechanical properties of functionalized GNP/epoxy composites show improvement of the interfacial bond.

Recent updates see the Sir Henry Royce Institute for Advanced Materials, a £235 million plan to create a world-leading center for advanced materials research and commercialization, as set to be given the green light. The University of Manchester's intention is to regenerate a 1.4-acre plot off Oxford Road, next to the new £61 million National Graphene Institute, and it was reported that it is set to go before Manchester City Council's planning committee on Thursday, 9 February 2017.

The Sir Henry Royce Institute for Advanced Materials is envisaged as an international flagship project encompassing nine key areas of materials research, including graphene, and focusing on the themes of energy, engineering, functional and soft materials. The building would feature 172,233 sq ft of educational floorspace and will be supported by satellite centers comprising the universities of Sheffield, Leeds, Liverpool, Cambridge, Oxford and Imperial College London. It is meant to accommodate around 550 scientists and play a prominent role within the university campus.

Versarien has acquired a majority stake in Cambridge Graphene, a spin-out company from the University of Cambridge established in May 2014 to commercialize graphene inks. Versarien acquired a 85% stake for £180,000 - which values the entire Cambridge Graphene company at £200,000.

Cambridge Graphene develops inks based on graphene and related materials using processes developed at the Cambridge Graphene Center. The spin-out company has commercialized graphene inks for novel technology applications.

Researchers at The University of Manchester, UK, have tested graphene and hexagonal boron nitride (hBN) in the membrane area of fuel cell. The reported results show a rather exciting reduction in crossover (diffusion of methanol from anode to cathode through the membrane that causes short-circuits) with no changes in proton conductivity and a performance improvement of up to 50%.

Fuel cells, devices that convert the chemical energy of fuel directly into electrical energy through oxidation-reduction reactions, are considered to have potential for use in future energy applications as they are efficient and clean. Methanol fuel cells are widely favored due to their usage of methnaol as a liquid fuel, simplicity in operation, higher energy density of methnaol fuel and more. A major hindrance to commercialization,though, is methanol crossover taking place in the membrane area of fuel cells, leading to short circuits and greatly affecting overall performance.