The University of NSW has signed a deal with Hangzhou Cables, a subsidiary of Chinese manufacturing giant FCJ, to develop more efficient graphene-based cables. The goal is a 5% boost in electricity transmission in China, which would equal an annual saving of 275 terawatt hours.
The $20 million (almost 15 million USD) contract will see the UNSW team spend the next year developing a 10m prototype graphene cable. The scientists will then work with their Chinese partner to develop a 1km-long version in China.
Hangzhou Cables plans to create a new entity to commercialize the technology on a global scale, exporting to other markets — notably northern Europe — as well as meeting Chinese demand. UNSW will retain 505 of the intellectual property rights and take an equity stake in the new company.
In 2015, Cerious Technologies started offering several types of graphene-based cables and interconnects.