Hub program begins final year
As we commence the final year of the ARC Graphene Research Hub, we celebrate some of the achievements and success over the past 4 years.
The aims of the Hub are to transform the advanced manufacturing industry by overcoming the fundamental challenges of graphene production and application, to create graphene-enhanced products for market and train a highly-skilled workforce.
Research outcomes
Many fundamental challenges to graphene manufacture and application have been overcome paving the way for industrial transformation.
Large-scale graphene production – First graphene have developed a very successful graphene production plant in WA capable of generating 100 tonnes/year of quality, consistent graphene.
Tailored graphene – Methods to tailor graphene characteristics for specific applications have been developed and implemented by the Hub team.
Standard methods – The Hub team developed methods to consistently and accurately characterise graphene as part of the VAMAS project: ISO/PWI 23359 ‘Chemical Characterisation of graphene and graphene oxide in powders and suspensions’.
Graphene dispersion – Methods have been developed to efficiently disperse graphene in water, rubber, concrete and epoxy.
Graphene-enhanced products
Many products have been developed utilising the multiple beneficial properties of graphene to create more effective and efficient, lighter and more durable products, many of which are approaching commercial readiness with some already on the market.
Commercial products – Collaborations between First Graphene and their partners have produced graphene-enhanced products that are already available on the market including Steel Blue Safety Boots and Aquatechnics Swimming Pools. The new products are many times lighter and more durable than existing products.
Biosensor for medical diagnostics – Archer Materials and the Hub team developed a rapid and sensitive diagnostic device for disease detection and management.
Environmental remediation technology – Sparc Technologies and the Hub team have developed selective graphene technology for PFAS remediation and removal of oil from water.
Water filtration membranes – NematiQ and the Hub team have developed commercial-scale membranes to produce clean drinking water with minimal waste.
Batteries from sugarcane waste – CleanFuture Energy and the Hub team have developed a method to produce graphene from sugarcane waste that can be used to create more efficient batteries. The project is entering pilot scale production.
Fire-retardant coating – FireStop coating developed by First Graphene and the Hub team effectively prevents wooden structure from catching fire without the need for current toxic fire-retardant agents.
Concrete – Incorporating First Graphene’s PureGraph™ into concrete can create a more durable, lighter product that also reduces CO2 emissions during production than standard concrete.
Team achievements
One of the key goals of the Hub program is to train a highly skilled workforce in graphene production and functionalisation to achieve scientific excellence and a sustainable graphene industry. In just a few years, 15 students have completed their PhD studies and the team have published over 130 peer-reviewed papers and presented at more than 80 conferences.
Our industry partners have grown their operations with 2 more companies now listed on the ASX and almost 30 new jobs created directly in our partner’s organisations.
Delivering the graphene revolution
In the final year of the Hub program, the team are focused on optimising the developed products ready for market and enabling industry transformation through the commercial production of graphene-enhanced products, devices and technologies. The graphene revolution is coming!
