GRAPHENE, THE WONDER MATERIAL, WHICH COULD CHANGE THE WORLD

Graphene is a one atom thick layer of carbon atoms. It’s almost unbelievable that something so miniscule is about 200 times stronger than steel. It’s also an excellent conductor of heat and electricity and scientists think it could change the world.

This wonder material has been incorporated into skeleton sleds used by British Winter Olympic Champions, where the grapheneenhanced composite strengthened the structural properties. It has even been tested in kit worn by professional cycling teams.

Graphene can be applied in pretty much any industrial sector, from transport and medicine to electronics, energy and defence, even desalination.

This material first came to wider public attention in 2010 when scientists based at Manchester University, Andre Geim and Konstantin Novoselov, won the Nobel Prize for Physics for isolating graphene –first done in 2004.

The business world immediately saw opportunities for commercialising this wonder material and in 2010, one company set up in Cheltenham to do that.

Versarien, led by CEO Neill Ricketts, is now listed on the London Stock Exchange and revenues are ticking up over £9 million.

This year Versarien has announced 13 new graphene application collaborations.

It has also bought Spanish company Gnanomat which is developing energy storage technology, and launched a new graphene-enhanced polymer to improve thermal and electricity conductivity.

Neill Ricketts said: “The year to the end of March, has been one of great progress for Versarien, particularly in our emerging technologies businesses.

Versarien is now seeking expansion into China.

The company is currently in discussions with the BIGT (Beijing Institute of Graphene Technology) to manufacture and sell graphene in China using Versarien’s patented technology.

A wholly owned subsidiary, the Beijing Versarien Technology Company, has been incorporated. This will enable Versarien to progress funding discussions with BIGT.

“Opportunities in South Korea, Japan and India are emerging as a result of the support given to us by the UK government-seconded staff and we have also established operations in North America,” added Neill.

New graphene production equipment has been installed in Versarien’s Cheltenham facility. Testing is under way which, if successful, will expand its production capacity to up to 30 tonnes per annum.

Neill said: “Our mature businesses have focused on efficiency gains and overall have returned acceptable results while also looking at opportunities for inclusion of graphene in future products. This includes using graphene in headphones through to producing Hexotene-enhanced ceramics for use in satellite engines.”

The power of graphene

The possiblility of fully charging a smartphone in seconds, or an electric car in minutes.

Clean drinking water for millions in developing countries. The development of graphene-based membranes at The University of Manchester brings that possibility closer.

Source: The University of Manchester