New step towards 'wonder material' graphene applications
24 Apr 2014 01:08 PM
Researchers of the AMBER centre @ambercentre in
Dublin have developed a new process to mass produce graphene-based
material. The method – which promises to be simple and affordable
– could be used by industries for applications such as highly efficient
batteries.
Vice-President of the European Commission @NeelieKroesEU, responsible for the Digital
Agenda, welcomed this progress: "From lighter aircraft to better
batteries – graphene truly is the new "wonder
material". By getting top European researchers and businesses to work
together, we can ensure Europe takes the lead. This is the EU investing in an
innovative future".
Graphene is a single-atom thick sheet of carbon. It is
exceptionally light and stronger than steel, yet extremely flexible and has
outstanding electrical, optical and thermal properties.
Graphene will enable new applications and products in a
whole range of industries:
-
high speed, transparent and even flexible and printable
consumer electronics
-
highly efficient energy storage solutions, such as
lightweight and rapidly rechargeable batteries for portable devices and
electric cars
-
alternative to precious materials such as platinum in
chemical processes
-
ultra-strong coatings and lightweight composite
materials, e.g. for making reinforced and more energy-efficient airplane
components
Some of these applications are getting closer to market
with research undertaken by AMBER research team in the CRANN Institute @cranntcd at Trinity College Dublin @tcddublin.
The
team, led by Professor Coleman, also a grantee of the European Research
Council @ERC_Research, has developed a new method to mass produce
graphene-based material. This discovery was highlighted byNature Materials @NatureMaterials.
European Commissioner for Research, Innovation and
Science Máire Geoghegan-Quinn said: "EU research funding
supported the discovery and development of graphene, and will continue to do so
with Horizon 2020, our new €80 billion innovation programme. I
congratulate Professor Coleman and his team. It's no coincidence that he
has also received funding from our European Research Council, the premier
blue-sky funding agency in Europe."
Thomas Swan
Ltd. has worked with the AMBER research team for two years and has
signed a license agreement to scale up production and make material available
to industry globally.
Background
The
Graphene flagship is part of the Future and Emerging Technologies (FET) Flagships @FETFlagshipsannounced by the European Commission in
January 2013 (press release). The goal of the FET Flagships is to encourage
visionary research with the potential to deliver breakthroughs and major
benefits for European society and industry. FET Flagships are highly ambitious
initiatives involving close collaboration with national and regional funding
agencies, industry and partners from outside the European
Union.
Research in the next generation of technologies is key
for Europe’s competitiveness. This is why €2.7 billion will be
invested in Future and Emerging Technologies (FET) under
the new research programme Horizon 2020#H2020 (2014-2020). This represents a nearly threefold increase
in budget compared to the previous research programme, FP7. FET actions are
part of the Excellent science pillar of Horizon
2020.