University of Manchester - Page 4

Graphene scientists from The University of Manchester have created a novel ‘nano petri dish’ using two-dimensional (2D) materials to create a new method of observing how atoms move in liquid. The team, led by researchers based at the National Graphene Institute (NGI), used stacks of 2D materials including graphene to trap liquid in order to further understand how the presence of liquid changes the behavior of the solid.

The researchers were able to capture images of single atoms ‘swimming’ in liquid for the first time. The findings could have widespread impact on the future development of green technologies such as hydrogen production.

Paragraf has announced its plan to develop a new generation of graphene-based, in-vitro diagnostic products that will give results within a few minutes.

The Company is starting a two-year program to develop a proof-of-concept combined PCT (procalcitonin) and CRP (C-reactive protein) test, on a single panel. This collaboration utilizes a GBP £550,000 (around USD$658,000) Biomedical Catalyst grant award from Innovate UK, the UK’s innovation agency.

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.

Watercycle Technologies, a spin-out company from The University of Manchester, has secured initial funding for its technology that uses graphene-based membranes and systems to extract lithium and other minerals from brines and water solutions.

Led by Sebastian Leaper, a former PhD student from the Department of Materials at Manchester, Watercycle Technologies has taken Tier 2 membership of the Graphene Engineering Innovation Centre (GEIC), with lab space and access to advanced 2D materials facilities and expertise in prototyping.

Researchers from The University of Manchester and Hubei University have integrated the electrical conductivity of graphene and the insulation of nitrocellulose to prepare a fire alarm sensor.

The graphene/nitrocellulose membrane remains electrically insulated in normal condition, but instantly turns conductive at high temperatures: Upon encountering flames, nitrocellulose decomposes rapidly as a reaction to the high temperature and induces a distinct transition in its electrical resistance, causing the transformation process of the alarm sensor from being electrically insulated to an electron conductive state.

Versarien has announced a collaboration with US-based Flux Footwear to supply graphene-enhanced elastomers for an improved model of Flux’s ‘Adapt’ shoe. The elastomers are to be used in an improved model of flux's 'Adapt' model.

The elastomer technology has been developed by Versarien’s in-house technology teams at the University of Manchester and University of Cambridge as part of the GSCALE project and has the potential for multiple elastomer applications.

First Graphene-led consortium of partners has been awarded a UK Government grant to develop high performance graphene-enhanced cement.

The grant of A$360,206 (around USD$258,500) was awarded by the UK Government’s innovation agency, Innovate UK to the consortium, which includes construction materials group Breedon Cement Ltd, construction and regeneration group Morgan Sindall Construction & Infrastructure Ltd, and the University of Manchester’s Department of Mechanical, Civil and Aerospace Engineering.

Researchers at The University of Manchester, MIT and other international collaborators have succeeded in observing the so-called Schwinger effect, an elusive process that normally occurs only in cosmic events. By applying high currents through specially designed graphene-based devices, the team - based at the National Graphene Institute - succeeded in producing particle-antiparticle pairs from a vacuum.

A vacuum is assumed to be completely empty space, without any matter or elementary particles. However, it was predicted by Nobel laureate Julian Schwinger 70 years ago that intense electric or magnetic fields can break down the vacuum and spontaneously create elementary particles.

It was recently reported that India’s first innovation center for graphene will be set up in Kerala by the Digital University Kerala (DUK), along with Centre for Materials for Electronics Technology (C-MET) in Thrissur, for an investment of Rs 86.41 crore (over USD$11.5 million). Tata Steel Limited is set to be the industrial partner of the center.

The chief investigators of the project, who will also lead it are Dr. AP James of DUK and Dr. A Seema of C-MET. The main collaborators include scientists from the National Graphene Institute, University of Manchester, and other industrial partners from around the world.

Graphene Innovations Inc has signed a new Tier-1 partnership with Manchester University's GEIC center. The company will establish a local company (GIIM) in the UK, with plans to hire 10 employees in the next few months.

The GEIC partnership enables GIIM to equip a private lab in the facility, with access to highly specialised applications labs and equipment, plus the unique academic and engineering expertise of the world-leading graphene and 2D materials community at the University.