Carbon Nanotube Fibers Could Transform Power Transmission and Electric Mobility

Spanish researchers have developed carbon nanotube fibers that combine low weight, high strength, and exceptional electrical conductivity, potentially offering an alternative to conventional conductive materials such as copper and aluminum. The advancement could have significant implications for electric vehicles, aircraft, drones, and power transmission infrastructure by reducing weight while maintaining strong electrical performance.

Carbon Nanotube Fibers: Tiny Giants in Power Transmission

Carbon nanotube fibers have long been considered a promising material for advanced electrical applications. These ultra thin cylindrical structures are significantly narrower than a human hair and possess remarkable mechanical strength. However, their adoption has been limited because their electrical conductivity has historically fallen short of conventional conductors such as copper.

Researchers in Spain have now demonstrated a scalable method for producing carbon nanotube fibers with electrical conductivity that surpasses aluminum while maintaining high strength and significantly lower weight. The development represents an important step toward practical applications of carbon nanotube based conductors.

How Did They Do It?

The breakthrough, reported in the journal Science, resulted from a collaboration between researchers at the IMDEA Materials Institute, the Polytechnic University of Madrid, and the University of Zaragoza.

Using advanced equipment at the Advanced Microscopy Laboratory (LMA) at the University of Zaragoza, the team produced carbon nanotube fibers with room temperature conductivity reaching 24.5 megasiemens per meter (MS/m). Although this value is approximately half that of copper, the fibers weigh only about one sixth as much. This combination of conductivity and low weight could be particularly valuable in applications where reducing mass is a priority.

The researchers achieved these results through a process known as gas phase intercalation. During this process, tetrachloroaluminate (AlCl4) was introduced between the carbon nanotube fibers. The treatment preserved the fibers' mechanical strength while adding minimal weight. The intercalated material acted as an effective atomic level dopant, increasing the electrical conductivity of the fibers by a factor of 17.

What Does This Mean for Electric Mobility?

Carbon nanotube fibers could play an important role in the future electrification of transportation, including electric vehicles, drones, and aircraft. Reducing the weight of electrical wiring can improve energy efficiency and increase operational range.

Replacing conventional copper cables with lightweight carbon nanotube fibers could significantly reduce the overall weight of vehicles and aircraft. This reduction could contribute to improved performance and efficiency in electric transportation systems.

Potential Beyond Mobility

The technology may also offer benefits for high voltage power transmission. According to the researchers, the new carbon nanotube fibers can be used to produce overhead electrical cables that are five times stronger and twice as light as traditional alternatives.

Such characteristics could improve the performance, durability, and economics of power transmission networks. Lighter and stronger cables may help enhance grid resilience while reducing some of the limitations associated with conventional transmission infrastructure.

While further research and development are required, the results suggest that carbon nanotube fibers could become an important material for future transportation and energy systems, providing a combination of strength, low weight, and electrical performance that is difficult to achieve with existing conductors.

Graphene Manufacturing Group Ships First Bulk Order of THERMAL XR® to North American Distributor

Graphene Manufacturing Group Ltd (TSXV: GMG) (OTCQX: GMGMF) announced that it has shipped its first bulk order of THERMAL XR® to its exclusive North American distributor, Nu Calgon Wholesaler, Inc. The product is marketed and sold under the name "Nu Calgon CoolWorx® powered by GMG® Graphene."

As previously disclosed, GMG is authorised to export, distribute, sell, use and dispose of its graphene coating across multiple industries in the United States under pre manufacture notice P 25 0018.

DeWight Wallace, President of Nu Calgon, said:

"We are very excited to receive this first shipment of THERMAL XR® and to begin introducing it to the North American HVAC R market. GMG's graphene technology offers contractors a genuine, measurable energy saving solution, and we look forward to deploying it across our distribution network. This is exactly the kind of innovative product our customers are looking for. We also look forward to welcoming Craig and members of his team to our headquarters in St Louis to spend valuable time together planning for our future partnership."

Craig Nicol, Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director of GMG, said:

"Delivering our first bulk shipment of THERMAL XR® to Nu Calgon is a genuinely significant moment for GMG. This order marks the transition from development and approval to commercial reality in the world's largest HVAC R market. Receiving EPA authorisation to export and sell our graphene based product in the United States is something very few companies have achieved, and we are proud to be bringing that technology to market alongside a distributor of Nu Calgon's calibre."

Jack Perkowski, Chairman and Non Executive Director of GMG, said:

"This first shipment is a milestone we have been working toward for some time, and it reflects the strength of what GMG has built. EPA approval for the unrestricted export and sale of a graphene based coating in the United States is a rare and hard won achievement. Paired with Nu Calgon's reach across North America, we now have the foundation to scale THERMAL XR® in a market that we believe will define GMG's next phase of commercial growth."

About THERMAL XR®

THERMAL XR® ENHANCE is a coating system designed to improve the conductivity of corroded heat exchange surfaces while helping maintain the performance of new equipment. The coating protects heat exchange surfaces and restores thermal conductivity lost through corrosion, increasing heat transfer rates by utilising the properties of GMG graphene. This can improve efficiency and potentially reduce power consumption.

THERMAL XR® ENHANCE has been granted a 20 year patent in Australia, and patent protection is expected to be pursued in additional countries.

About Nu Calgon

Nu Calgon supplies a range of specialty chemical products for the HVAC R aftermarket, including coil cleaners, leak sealants, air purifiers, refrigeration oils, water treatment solutions, ice machine maintenance products and other specialty applications. These products are marketed to air conditioning, heating, refrigeration and plumbing wholesalers, food service and restaurant suppliers, and original equipment manufacturers.

The company operates through a network of factory sales professionals across the United States and Canada. Its centralised distribution centre is supported by an advanced order entry system that enables prompt order processing and shipment completion within 24 hours.

About GMG

GMG is an Australian clean technology company that develops, manufactures and sells energy saving and energy storage solutions using graphene produced through its proprietary manufacturing process. The process decomposes natural gas, including methane, into carbon in the form of graphene, hydrogen and residual hydrocarbon gases. According to the company, the method produces scalable, low cost, high quality and low contaminant graphene suitable for clean technology and other applications.

The company's current focus is on reducing commercialisation risks, expanding production capabilities and securing market applications. Within the energy savings segment, GMG has focused on a graphene enhanced HVAC R coating that is also being evaluated for applications such as electronic heat sinks, industrial process plants and data centres. The company has additionally developed a graphene lubricant additive intended to improve fuel efficiency in diesel engines.

In the energy storage sector, GMG is collaborating with the University of Queensland, with financial support from the Australian Government, to advance research, development and commercialisation of graphene aluminium ion batteries known as G+AI Batteries. The company has also developed a graphene additive slurry designed to enhance the performance of lithium ion batteries.

GMG's Four Critical Business Objectives

1. Produce graphene and improve and scale cell production processes.
2. Build revenue from energy savings products.
3. Develop next generation battery technology.
4. Develop supply chain, partner and project execution capabilities.

Any color the customer wants, as long as it’s the blackest black

In Douglas Adams’s science fiction novel The Restaurant at the End of the Universe, a spaceship is described as being so black that “light just seems to fall into it,” creating the effect of blocking out the sun during rock concerts. Scientists have pursued similarly ultrablack materials for decades because of their potential to reduce unwanted reflections and noise in optical and sensing systems.

Researchers have now developed an ultrablack coating capable of absorbing more than 99.9% of visible light while meeting important durability requirements for automotive coatings. The coating, described in Matter Light (2026, DOI: 10.1016/j.matlit.2026.100015), could find applications in the production of luxury vehicles.

“Deep black finishes have long been the premium choice and signature color for luxury cars due to their elegant appearance, powerful visual impact, and luxurious undertone,” said Zhiwei Liu, a research chemist in color technology at the Nipsea Group and lead author of the study. According to Liu, automotive manufacturers have been actively pursuing “mass processable ultrablack coating solutions with extreme blackness.”

In 2014, Surrey NanoSystems introduced Vantablack, a coating composed of vertically aligned carbon nanotubes. These nanotubes are hollow cylinders of carbon atoms only a few nanometers in diameter that absorb nearly all incoming visible light. The material gives coated objects an almost two dimensional appearance and gained widespread attention when artist Anish Kapoor obtained exclusive artistic rights to use it.

Five years later, BMW unveiled a concept car coated with Vantablack. Its striking “black hole” appearance attracted significant public interest. However, Vantablack also presented practical challenges because coatings based on nanotube forests are fragile and difficult as well as costly to manufacture on an industrial scale.

Developing ultrablack materials requires balancing optical performance with manufacturability and durability. “It’s really hard to have it both ways, super black and super robust,” said John Lehman, physicist and senior research scientist at the National Institute of Standards and Technology.

Instead of relying exclusively on delicate vertical carbon nanotube forests, the new coating combines carbon nanotubes with conventional carbon black pigment. Strong interactions between the two carbon materials cause the carbon black particles to organize themselves along the nanotubes in what the researchers describe as a “connecting the dots” structure.

This arrangement creates a rough microscopic surface filled with peaks and valleys that function as optical traps. Light entering these structures undergoes multiple scattering events before escaping, greatly reducing reflection. Combined with the inherent light absorbing properties of carbon black, this surface architecture enables the coating to absorb more than 99.9% of visible light.

The researchers noted that the coating can be produced using standard industrial milling equipment and applied through conventional automotive spray coating methods. The material also passed humidity, water resistance, and adhesion tests, making it more practical than earlier ultrablack coatings.

Determining whether the material represents the blackest black remains challenging. “The biggest challenge, once you get to that level of blackness, is actually measuring it,” said Lehman, whose research focuses on ultrablack coatings designed to suppress stray reflections in optical instruments and sensing systems. “That’s as difficult as making the coating itself when you’re talking about four nines,” he added, referring to a reflection ratio of 99.99%.

Manchester based Concretene is using UK sourced graphene to reduce the carbon footprint of cement in concrete while maintaining strength and durability.

The UK currently has no industrial source of graphite, the conventional raw material used to produce graphene. Imported graphite is associated with a significant environmental impact, and Concretene has reported that commercial graphene materials derived from mined graphite can exhibit considerable variation between production batches.

To address these challenges, the company uses wastewater derived biogas processed through Levidian’s LOOP technology. The process applies microwave energy to split methane into hydrogen and solid carbon.

This approach produces highly consistent graphene nanoplatelets through a bottom up manufacturing method.

According to the project partners, the graphene production technology uses biogas as a feedstock and renewable electricity as a power source, resulting in a significantly lower net CO2 footprint compared with conventional graphene and performance carbon production methods.

Laboratory testing and scaled trials of Concretene’s graphene enhanced admixture have demonstrated cement savings of between 15% and 20%.

The company also reports that the admixture can achieve cost neutrality at scale, with the cost of the additive offset by the reduction in cement usage. This could help address one of the major barriers to the commercial adoption of graphene in concrete applications.

Another challenge for large scale adoption is ensuring consistent performance and reliable raw material supply. Funding of £1 million from the Water Breakthrough Challenge is expected to support efforts to overcome these limitations.

The Water Breakthrough Challenge is delivered by Challenge Works, part of Nesta, in partnership with Arup and Isle Utilities. The initiative is designed to encourage innovation that helps the water sector address future challenges while improving outcomes for customers and the environment.

The project, titled Splitting Biogas, Multiplying Value, is led by United Utilities and involves collaboration with Tarmac, graphene producer Levidian, and specialist application companies Concretene, ULEMco and Carbon Ion.

Four additional water companies, Anglian, South West, Wessex and Yorkshire, are participating in the project. The total funding awarded across the initiative amounts to £8.9 million.

Breakthrough Sensor in Berkeley Detects Allergens and Spoilage

Researchers at the University of California, Berkeley have developed a novel artificial nose that uses an array of 16 gas sensors to identify common food allergens, including walnuts and peanuts, while also assessing food freshness. Constructed using carbon nanotubes and designed to operate at room temperature, the device has been trained to recognize seven different foods and evaluate the condition of three types of perishable products.

The study was led by doctoral candidate Carla Bassil from the Javey research group. The artificial nose was trained to detect the following foods:

• Strawberry
• Blueberry
• Banana
• Walnut
• Hazelnut
• Cashew
• Peanut

The system can also distinguish the odors of raw chicken, milk, and eggs when fresh, as well as after 24 and 48 hours at room temperature. Its sensitivity allows it to detect the aroma emitted by as little as 0.05 grams of isolated walnut, approximately one hundredth of the weight of an average shelled walnut.

The sensor's performance has not yet been evaluated in environments containing additional gases from foods such as lettuce or cake. While electronic nose technology has existed since the 1980s, this latest version incorporates carbon nanotubes as the conductive material. The nanotubes form layers only a few nanometers thick, and the sensor chip is produced through injection molding.

Bassil explained, “You can think of it as a set of digital taste receptors, where each sensor on this chip reacts uniquely to the different gas molecules it is exposed to.” She further stated, “Each of these 16 sensors has a different sensing film, and it works by converting chemical reactions between the sensor surface and the gas molecule into electrical signals.”

Where This Technology Could Lead

The technology is based on the principle that “we can use the relative selectivity of gas sensors combined with machine learning pattern recognition to determine which gas fingerprint corresponds to each food.” As a result, the sensor chip is, in Bassil’s words, “far more sensitive and far more objective than any human nose.”

The artificial nose developed at Berkeley could significantly improve food safety and help reduce risks associated with food allergies. Integration into smart refrigerators may provide consumers with additional information about product freshness, potentially reducing food waste. Further research and development could expand its applications across food safety and health related fields.

Gas Malaysia Berhad (“Gas Malaysia”), a member of MMC Corporation Berhad, has marked a major milestone in its transformation journey with the deployment of the Asia Pacific region’s first methane to graphene system, positioning Malaysia at the forefront of advanced materials innovation in the region.

The development supports Gas Malaysia’s transformation under its GM32 growth strategy, expanding its role beyond gas distribution to become a provider of high value solutions and a builder of advanced materials ecosystems.

Developed in collaboration with UK based Levidian, the LOOP technology converts methane into high quality graphene and hydrogen rich gas. The system creates additional value from existing gas infrastructure while supporting cleaner and more efficient industrial applications.

Following this first regional deployment, Gas Malaysia is advancing the development of a graphene ecosystem focused on practical industry adoption. Through its “Revolutionising Industries with Graphene” platform, businesses can test, validate and co develop graphene based applications across sectors such as manufacturing, infrastructure and energy, helping to accelerate commercialisation and industry adoption.

“Gas Malaysia is not just introducing new technology, we are enabling industry adoption and building a platform for innovation, collaboration and commercialisation,” said Azli Mohamed, President & Group Chief Executive Officer of Gas Malaysia Berhad.

The initiative is expected to position Malaysia as a launchpad for graphene innovation within ASEAN, with the potential to expand deployment across the region and support the growth of a broader advanced materials ecosystem.

Aligned with Malaysia’s national development agenda, the initiative contributes to strengthening industrial competitiveness, accelerating technological innovation and supporting the transition towards a more sustainable and higher value economy.

Researchers Develop Nanotube Membranes for Ultrafast Lithium Ion Transport

Researchers have developed a new class of nanotube membranes capable of enabling ultrafast ion transport, creating potential opportunities for high efficiency clean energy generation, lithium recovery, and molecular separation technologies.

The study, published in Nature Nanotechnology and coauthored by researchers at the University of Illinois Chicago, demonstrates that boron nitride nanotubes, microscopic tube shaped channels, can transport certain ions at rates far exceeding previous expectations. The nanotubes showed a strong preference for transporting lithium ions over other ions, functioning similarly to an express lane for lithium movement. The findings highlight a promising platform for applications such as blue energy generation, which captures energy from the mixing of saltwater and freshwater, as well as lithium extraction for battery production.

"This is a unique mechanism that transports lithium ions very quickly through nanotubes," said Sangil Kim, associate professor of chemical engineering at UIC and an author of the paper. "The ion transport is much higher than the theoretical estimation, and also existing experimental systems."

Ion transport plays a critical role in numerous industrial processes. When salts dissolve in water, they separate into positively and negatively charged ions that move through nanochannels at varying rates. Controlling ion movement across membranes is essential for technologies including batteries, desalination systems, critical mineral recovery, and renewable energy applications. However, achieving both high transport speed and ion selectivity has remained a significant scientific and engineering challenge.

In the study, researchers fabricated membranes containing millions of boron nitride nanotubes. These nanotubes exhibit unusual behavior and possess charged surfaces. When the membranes were positioned between ionic solutions with different salinity levels, ions traveled through the nanotube channels much faster than theoretical models predicted. Lithium ions, in particular, moved 31 times faster than expected. Researchers also observed that lithium ions traveled through the channels substantially faster than other ions.

To evaluate practical performance, the research team demonstrated that the membranes could generate enough electricity from salt solutions to power common electronic devices.

"They can operate a watch and a calculator," Kim said.

The concept of generating electricity through ion movement has been studied for many years.

"This is how an electric eel generates electricity," Kim said.

Electric eels produce electrical discharges by regulating ion flow across specialized cells known as electrocytes. These cells use ion channels to convert chemical gradients into electrical energy. Scientists have long investigated methods to replicate similar biological mechanisms in engineered systems, including membrane technologies such as those used in this study.

The researchers plan to further investigate potential applications of the membranes, particularly their ability to selectively separate lithium ions.

"We could apply these findings to lithium recovery from waste batteries," Kim said.

The team also intends to explore the underlying mechanisms responsible for the unusually rapid ion transport observed in the nanotubes.

Kim began studying boron nitride nanotubes shortly after joining UIC approximately a decade ago. He attributed the project's progress to interdisciplinary collaboration, support from the College of Engineering, and the contributions of student researchers involved in the work.

"My talented students, including former Ph.D. students Aaditya Pendse and Kun Wang, should be acknowledged for their contributions to this study," Kim said. "The quality of students here at UIC is very, very high."

In addition to Kim, Pendse, and Wang, the UIC coauthors of the study include Pavel Rehak, Volodymyr Koverga, Selva Selvaraj, Naveen K. Dandu, Roya Jafari, Anh T. Ngo, and Petr Kral.

Researchers Develop 90 Second Process to Convert Wet Coffee Waste into High Quality Biochar

Researchers have developed a new process that converts wet spent coffee grounds into high quality biochar in just 90 seconds. The technology could help transform millions of tonnes of coffee waste into renewable fuel and valuable carbon materials for decentralized waste to energy systems.

Global coffee consumption generates at least 18 million tonnes of spent coffee grounds annually. Most of this waste is disposed of through landfilling or incineration, contributing to greenhouse gas emissions and environmental pollution. Although spent coffee grounds have significant potential as an energy source, their high moisture content has traditionally limited their use. Converting the material into fuel or carbon products has generally required energy intensive drying processes, making large scale utilization economically challenging.

Researchers at the Korea Institute of Geoscience and Mineral Resources have developed a method that converts wet spent coffee grounds into high quality biochar in only 90 seconds without requiring prior drying or oil extraction. The approach offers a rapid and energy efficient route for transforming moisture rich organic waste into useful fuel and carbon based materials. The study was published in the Chemical Engineering Journal.

The process uses Flame Plasma Pyrolysis (FPP), which directly treats biomass containing approximately 55 percent moisture under atmospheric pressure plasma conditions. Plasma flames generated by burning LPG and compressed air reach temperatures of approximately 800 to 900°C, eliminating the need for predrying. The intense heat rapidly evaporates moisture within biomass particles, creating internal pressure that triggers microscopic explosions similar to a popcorn effect. These explosions enhance carbonization and generate highly porous structures. As a result, moisture acts as a steam activation agent that accelerates reactions and improves the quality of the final product. Under optimized conditions, complete conversion is achieved within 90 seconds, resulting in a mass reduction of 83.3 percent.

The biochar produced through this process can be used as both a renewable solid fuel and a high value carbon material for environmental and industrial applications. The FPP technology also has potential for processing a wide range of high moisture organic wastes, including food waste, sewage sludge, and agricultural residues. Its compact design and extremely fast processing capabilities make it particularly suitable for decentralized onsite waste to energy facilities, where transportation and drying costs often limit resource recovery efforts.

What if one of the world’s most influential yet least visible scientific processes could help address some of humanity’s most pressing challenges? A lecture at the University of Cape Town by Professor Nico Fischer examined how advances in catalysis could support cleaner industries, alternative energy systems, and a transition away from fossil resources while promoting economic inclusion and sustainable development.

Professor Fischer’s lecture, titled “Catalysis as Key Enabler of a Just and Sustainable Transition”, highlighted research efforts aimed at converting waste plastics into hydrogen, transforming carbon dioxide into useful chemicals, and producing sustainable fuels. A recurring theme throughout the presentation was the importance of collaboration in achieving meaningful scientific progress.

Catalysis and the Climate Challenge

The lecture focused on catalysis, the science of accelerating chemical reactions using specialised materials known as catalysts. Catalytic processes are fundamental to modern industry, supporting fuel production, chemical manufacturing, pharmaceuticals, and consumer goods. According to Fischer, approximately 80% of industrial chemical processes depend on catalysis.

Despite its importance, catalysis has also contributed to environmental challenges. “Catalysts were pretty much at the forefront of creating all these greenhouse gas emissions that we are facing now,” said Fischer. “But because of their diversity, catalysts also have an opportunity to help us solve these challenges.”

A central element of Fischer’s research is the concept of a “de fossilised society”, a future that significantly reduces dependence on fossil resources while continuing to supply the carbon based products required by modern economies. He challenged the widely used concept of “decarbonisation”, arguing that carbon itself is not the issue.

“We cannot get rid of all carbon. We are made out of carbon. The whole society, the whole world, all nature is made out of carbon,” he explained.

Instead, Fischer argued that societies must eliminate reliance on fossil carbon and develop alternative methods for producing fuels and chemicals from renewable resources.

Achieving this goal requires advanced scientific tools capable of observing processes occurring at the nanoscale, where catalysts function. Fischer highlighted several innovations developed by the UCT Catalysis Institute, including a patented reactor system that allows researchers to study catalysts under actual reaction conditions.

He also highlighted the commissioning of the first African laboratory based X ray absorption spectroscopy facility, the First African Beamline (FAB 1), marking a significant milestone for scientific research on the continent.

“For many years, the only way to do these measurements was to travel overseas to large infrastructures that we don’t have on the African continent,” he said.

The facility is expected to provide researchers across Africa with access to advanced analytical capabilities while supporting local expertise development. “We will open this resource to African researchers across the continent to come to us, run their samples with us, learn with us and gain the experience they need,” he said.

Turning Plastic Waste into Hydrogen

Among the projects presented during the lecture was research aimed at addressing both plastic pollution and clean energy production.

Globally, around 400 million tonnes of plastic are produced annually, yet only a small percentage is effectively recycled. In South Africa, approximately 40 kg of plastic waste is generated per person each year, with a substantial amount entering the environment.

Fischer’s research group is investigating the conversion of waste plastics into hydrogen through a microwave assisted catalytic process.

Using specially designed microwave reactors, researchers generate highly localised energy that breaks down plastic waste. Catalysts then direct the reaction toward hydrogen production while capturing carbon in the form of solid carbon nanotubes rather than releasing it as carbon dioxide.

“We could already show that we produce this hydrogen, and the carbon is not emitted as CO₂,” Fischer said.

The carbon nanotubes generated through the process may also have commercial value. Researchers, working with the Department of Civil Engineering, are exploring their incorporation into concrete to improve strength while reducing clinker requirements, potentially lowering emissions associated with cement production.

“We believe this is a technology that can be deployed on the ground, in small units, at recycling centres,” he said.

Giving Carbon Dioxide a Second Life

Another major area of Fischer’s research focuses on carbon dioxide utilisation. In collaboration with partners in South Africa, Germany, and other countries, his team is developing catalysts capable of converting captured carbon dioxide into carbon monoxide, an important industrial feedstock used in the production of fuels and chemicals.

“The problem with CO₂ is that it likes to be CO₂,” Fischer joked, referring to the molecule’s stability.

Recent advances have enabled the team to achieve carbon dioxide conversion rates of up to 80% under industrially relevant conditions while generating very few unwanted byproducts.

“This is really a breakthrough in my eyes,” he said.

The resulting carbon monoxide can be combined with hydrogen to create synthesis gas, which serves as the basis for numerous downstream chemical processes.

One of these applications is GreenQuest, a multidisciplinary initiative led by Emeritus Professor Jack Fletcher that aims to develop sustainable alternatives to liquefied petroleum gas (LPG).

The project brings together expertise from engineering, economics, social sciences, and business to evaluate both the technical feasibility of the technology and its implementation within communities.

LPG is increasingly recognised as a cleaner cooking fuel in many developing countries where biomass remains a major energy source. Continued reliance on wood and other biomass fuels contributes to indoor air pollution, deforestation, and significant health risks.

“LPG is already internationally discussed as a solution for that,” Fischer said.

The initiative seeks to produce a sustainable version of the fuel using captured carbon dioxide and renewable hydrogen.

“We want to understand not only the nanoscale,” he said. “We also want to understand how this process could be implemented out there in the world.”

From Laboratory to Marketplace

Throughout the lecture, Fischer emphasised the importance of translating scientific research into practical applications. This approach has contributed to the establishment of UCT spin off companies, including Moya Scientific and C STAR Holdings.

Moya Scientific is developing affordable scientific instruments for laboratories that cannot access expensive commercial analytical equipment.

C STAR Holdings is focused on producing sustainable fuels from carbon dioxide and hydrogen using compact containerised systems designed to operate close to fuel demand centres.

The company is currently developing a pilot scale system capable of producing sustainable diesel directly from carbon dioxide and hydrogen.

“We believe that we have found the right combinations to overcome the classic economies of scale,” Fischer said.

BIOCHAR Achieves 2025 Impact Factor of 15.1 and Retains Leadership in Soil Science

The international academic journal BIOCHAR has reached a significant milestone with the announcement of its 2025 Impact Factor of 15.1, according to the 2026 Journal Citation Reports released by Clarivate. The achievement highlights the journal's influence in soil science, environmental sustainability, and carbon management. Over the past five years, BIOCHAR has maintained its position as the highest ranked journal in soil science, reflecting its substantial contributions to research on soil health, sustainable agriculture, and environmental conservation.

The achievement represents more than a ranking milestone. BIOCHAR's standing within the scientific community reflects the growing scope and interdisciplinary nature of biochar research. The journal brings together studies from agronomy, environmental science, and sustainable technologies, supporting research efforts aimed at addressing challenges such as climate change, soil degradation, and carbon emissions. Its sustained leadership in soil science demonstrates a consistent commitment to publishing high quality research that informs both scientific understanding and practical applications.

BIOCHAR has also established a strong presence within environmental sciences, ranking 11th among 395 journals in the field. This places the journal within the first quartile, highlighting its broad relevance across multiple research disciplines. Articles published in the journal are widely cited in areas including environmental remediation, carbon sequestration, and sustainable materials research. This interdisciplinary reach has positioned BIOCHAR as a key platform for studies that contribute to scientific advancement, policy development, and technological innovation.

The journal was established with the goal of advancing knowledge related to biochar and carbon based materials while supporting a global research community focused on carbon cycling, pollution control, and soil improvement. Its published research covers a broad spectrum of topics, including biomass conversion, soil amendment technologies, pollutant adsorption, and climate mitigation strategies. These studies provide valuable insights into the environmental impacts and practical applications of biochar technologies, supporting the development of scalable and sustainable solutions.

BIOCHAR is recognized for its rigorous academic standards and serves as a platform for original research articles, review papers, and expert commentary. Through research examining the physicochemical properties of biochar and its role in carbon sequestration, the journal contributes to advances in renewable energy, greenhouse gas reduction, and ecosystem enhancement. Each issue presents recent findings and technological developments that offer evidence based guidance for researchers, environmental professionals, and policymakers.

A defining feature of the journal is its emphasis on multidisciplinary collaboration. BIOCHAR encourages contributions from experts in chemistry, environmental engineering, agronomy, and materials science. Research published in the journal explores biochar production methods, characterization techniques, and applications across diverse environmental conditions. This integrated approach supports comprehensive evaluation of biochar technologies and their environmental impacts while facilitating the translation of scientific discoveries into practical environmental management and climate resilience strategies.

The journal's continued leadership provides valuable insight into evolving research priorities and emerging trends. Its sustained top ranking reflects increasing recognition of biochar as both a soil amendment and a potential solution for carbon management challenges. The growing focus on carbon negative technologies underscores the importance of research that supports efforts to address climate change. By facilitating the exchange of scientific knowledge, BIOCHAR contributes to the advancement of technologies designed to improve agricultural productivity while reducing environmental impacts.

The achievement also highlights the importance of scientific publishing in promoting collaboration and knowledge sharing across environmental disciplines. As environmental challenges become increasingly complex, journals such as BIOCHAR play a crucial role in connecting scientific research with practical implementation. The journal supports ongoing discussion of biochar applications in soil remediation, pollutant adsorption, and water quality improvement, helping to inform future environmental policies and management practices.

BIOCHAR's contributions extend to climate related research priorities and align with several United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, particularly those associated with climate action, life on land, and clean water. Studies published in the journal on carbon sequestration performance and multifunctional biochar applications contribute to the scientific foundation needed for climate mitigation technologies and ecosystem resilience. Its interdisciplinary approach supports integrated solutions that acknowledge the interconnected nature of environmental systems.

The journal remains an important resource for researchers investigating biochar across multiple scales, from molecular interactions and soil microbiology to broader environmental impacts. Its growing influence supports global efforts to develop biochar as a sustainable technology capable of addressing human driven environmental pressures. As interest in green technologies and environmental sustainability continues to expand, BIOCHAR remains a leading platform for research in this rapidly developing field.

The 2025 Impact Factor achievement reflects both the journal's accomplishments to date and its future potential. BIOCHAR is expected to continue supporting innovative research, fostering international collaboration, and advancing scientific understanding of biochar technologies. Through its interdisciplinary reach and commitment to academic excellence, the journal continues to serve researchers, engineers, and policymakers seeking solutions to environmental challenges.

Ultimately, BIOCHAR's continued rise highlights the importance of specialized scientific platforms that promote integrated and impactful research. The journal supports ongoing advancements in sustainable agriculture, environmental remediation, and carbon cycle management while encouraging engagement with emerging biochar technologies. By serving as a center for interdisciplinary knowledge exchange, BIOCHAR contributes to scientific innovation aimed at addressing global environmental challenges and supporting a more sustainable future.

The University of Texas at Arlington (UTA) has awarded funding to multiple research teams through its Research Enhancement Program (REP), an initiative administered by the Office of the Vice President for Research and Innovation. The program provides seed funding to support investigators in testing innovative concepts and pursuing new research directions that may lead to future technological advances and strengthen proposals for external funding from federal agencies and nonprofit organizations.

As part of a research spotlight series, six funded projects are being highlighted.

Researchers: Sally Jia, Assistant Professor of Materials Science and Engineering, College of Engineering
Research Focus: Improving Thermal Management for Future Computer Chips

What's the Idea?

As computer chips continue to become smaller and more powerful, effective heat management has emerged as a major challenge in electronics design. Dr. Jia's research project investigates new approaches to improving heat transfer within electronic devices by redesigning the interfaces between materials at the nanoscale.

The study focuses on advanced low dimensional materials, including two dimensional graphene and one dimensional carbon nanotubes, which can transfer heat more efficiently than conventional materials. Researchers will examine how these materials interact with metal electrodes and develop new interface structures that enhance heat transport, helping to prevent overheating in next generation electronic systems.

Why It Matters

Excessive heat can reduce electronic performance, slow processing speeds, and shorten the operational lifespan of devices such as artificial intelligence processors, data center infrastructure, and advanced communication systems.

Although many advanced materials possess excellent thermal conductivity, heat frequently accumulates at the interfaces where different materials meet, creating thermal bottlenecks within devices. This project seeks to improve understanding of heat transfer across these microscopic connections and identify engineering strategies that enable electronics to operate more efficiently, remain cooler, and support growing computational demands.

Real World Use

The research could contribute to the development of faster and more energy efficient computer chips and electronic devices. Potential applications include artificial intelligence systems, high performance computing platforms, flexible electronics, sensors, and advanced communication technologies.

The findings may also support the design of smaller and more powerful electronic devices capable of meeting increasing computing requirements while minimizing overheating issues.

Next Steps

The research team will fabricate and evaluate nanoscale devices incorporating advanced low dimensional materials such as two dimensional graphene, one dimensional carbon nanotubes, and three dimensional metal electrodes.

Researchers will assess the efficiency of heat transfer across the newly engineered interfaces and compare the results with existing technologies. The project will also support graduate student research and generate preliminary data to strengthen future funding proposals submitted to organizations such as the National Science Foundation and the Department of Energy.

In Their Words

"As electronic devices continue to shrink, heat management is becoming one of the biggest barriers to future computing performance. The goal of Thermal Management & Processing lab (TEMP lab) is to better understand and regulate how heat moves across material interfaces and develop new strategies that allow advanced materials to reach their full potential in next generation electronics." — Sally Jia

About The University of Texas at Arlington (UTA)

The University of Texas at Arlington is a public research university located in the Dallas Fort Worth region. With more than 42,700 students, it is the second largest institution within the University of Texas System and offers over 180 undergraduate and graduate degree programs.

Recognized as a Carnegie R1 university, UTA ranks among the top five percent of research institutions in the United States based on research activity. The university and its network of 280,000 alumni generate an estimated annual economic impact of $28.8 billion for the state of Texas.

UTA has received the Innovation and Economic Prosperity designation from the Association of Public and Land Grant Universities and has been recognized for its commitment to student access and success, which are considered important contributors to economic development and social progress throughout North Texas and beyond.

A significant advancement in water treatment technology has been achieved through the development of a biochar regulated cobalt manganese spinel catalyst capable of degrading the widely used neonicotinoid insecticide imidacloprid with exceptional efficiency. The catalyst, designated CoMn0.75/BC, utilizes the unique properties of biochar to promote a non radical oxidation process, addressing longstanding challenges associated with the selective and sustainable removal of toxic pesticides from contaminated water sources.

Neonicotinoids, particularly imidacloprid, are extensively used in modern agriculture because of their effectiveness in pest control. However, their persistence in the environment and toxicity to aquatic organisms present significant ecological concerns, especially for sensitive invertebrate populations. Conventional treatment approaches often face difficulties in achieving rapid, complete, and selective removal of these compounds, particularly in complex water systems where radical based oxidation processes can be affected by pH variations, dissolved ions, and natural organic matter.

The catalyst is derived from layered double hydroxides and features a cobalt manganese spinel structure regulated by biochar, a porous carbon material produced from biomass. This composite material demonstrates a strong ability to activate peroxymonosulfate, a powerful oxidant commonly used in advanced oxidation processes, enabling rapid degradation of imidacloprid. Within 40 minutes, the system achieved a 96.9% reduction of imidacloprid at an initial concentration of 5 mg/L, representing a notable level of efficiency in pesticide removal.

Biochar plays a critical role in the catalyst's performance beyond serving as a support material. Its porous structure promotes uniform dispersion of cobalt manganese spinel nanoparticles, preventing particle aggregation and preserving a large active surface area. The biochar surface contains abundant oxygen containing functional groups, including carbonyl groups, which help chelate metal ions and stabilize the formation of high valence metal oxo species. These species act as the primary oxidizing agents in the catalytic process, enabling a non radical oxidation pathway that offers greater selectivity and stability than conventional radical based mechanisms.

The non radical reactive oxygen species pathway is primarily driven by high valence metal oxo intermediates and singlet oxygen (^1O2). These oxidizing species exhibit strong resistance to common inhibitory factors found in natural and wastewater environments. Unlike hydroxyl radicals or sulfate radicals, which can be deactivated by chloride ions, sulfate ions, or natural organic matter, these selective oxidants maintain high reactivity across a wide pH range from 3 to 11. Experimental results demonstrated that the catalyst's performance remained largely unaffected by common anions, highlighting its suitability for diverse wastewater treatment conditions.

The stability and reusability of CoMn0.75/BC further support its potential for practical application. Following five consecutive degradation cycles, the catalyst retained more than 91% of its initial activity. Testing also showed minimal leaching of cobalt and manganese ions and no noticeable changes in the spinel crystal structure. In addition, a continuous flow experiment designed to simulate industrial water treatment conditions maintained more than 80% imidacloprid removal over a seven hour operating period, indicating strong potential for large scale implementation.

Additional investigations revealed that persistent free radicals naturally present within the biochar contribute to enhanced singlet oxygen generation during peroxymonosulfate activation. This synergistic effect expands the available oxidation mechanisms and improves overall degradation kinetics, distinguishing the CoMn0.75/BC catalyst as a multifunctional system for environmental remediation applications.

The catalyst also demonstrated effectiveness against several other commonly used neonicotinoids, including thiamethoxam, clothianidin, dinotefuran, and nitenpyram. This broad applicability is particularly important given the widespread environmental presence of multiple neonicotinoid compounds that contribute to water contamination and ecological risks.

The findings provide a framework for the development of next generation biochar hybrid catalysts designed for advanced oxidation processes that emphasize selectivity, durability, and efficiency. By utilizing biochar as both a structural regulator and a reaction directing component, the research advances beyond traditional approaches based solely on pollutant adsorption or non selective radical oxidation. The resulting catalytic detoxification strategy offers a promising solution for industrial and agricultural wastewater treatment challenges.

Although the results are promising, the researchers noted the need for further pilot scale studies and techno economic evaluations to assess the catalyst's practicality and cost effectiveness in full scale applications. Such investigations will be essential for translating the technology from laboratory research to operational environmental engineering systems, supporting improved water quality and reduced pesticide pollution.

In summary, the development of a biochar regulated layered double hydroxide derived cobalt manganese spinel catalyst for non radical peroxymonosulfate activation represents a major advancement in catalytic water treatment. By combining material science, environmental chemistry, and sustainable resource utilization, the study demonstrates a promising approach for addressing neonicotinoid contamination and highlights the growing potential of biochar in advanced pollution control technologies.

Life on Earth has evolved under a continuous rhythm of day and night. While light supplies the energy that drives numerous molecular processes, periods of darkness often provide opportunities for biological systems to reorganize, recover, and convert that energy into functional outcomes. Drawing inspiration from this natural balance, an international research team led by Javier Montenegro at the Center for Research in Biological Chemistry and Molecular Materials (CiQUS) at the Universidade de Santiago de Compostela has demonstrated that a similar principle can regulate the behavior of simple synthetic molecular systems.

The study found that alternating periods of light and darkness do more than simply activate and deactivate molecular activity. Instead, darkness serves as a critical phase during which molecular assemblies reorganize and develop into more stable and complex structures.

The experimental work was led by Dr. Alejandro Méndez Ardoy from the Institute of Chemical Research (IIQ, CSIC and University of Seville), with contributions from Patricia Fulías Guzmán and Adrián Sánchez Fernández at CiQUS, along with collaborators from the Stratingh Institute for Chemistry at the University of Groningen. The findings were published in Angewandte Chemie International Edition.

The researchers examined small photoresponsive peptides capable of changing their chemical state when exposed to light. These molecules contain a photoswitch that alternates between two forms with different properties. One form is more soluble in water in darkness, while the other becomes more hydrophobic under illumination. This reversible transformation modifies intermolecular interactions and initiates supramolecular self assembly.

Under visible light exposure, the molecules spontaneously organized into nanoscale helical ribbons. When the light source was removed, these structures began to relax, partially collapse, and gradually disassemble. The researchers observed that when illumination was applied in repeated cycles, returning before the assemblies fully disintegrated, the partially relaxed structures acted as intermediates leading to a more advanced architecture consisting of highly uniform and stable supramolecular nanotubes.

“Our work shows that dark periods open alternative pathways for structural evolution that are faster and more effective than keeping the light on continuously,” Montenegro explained. “Even in very simple photoresponsive molecular systems, while light provides the energy needed to build complex self assembled structures, it is the resting phases that allow the system to reorganize and access the most stable architectures.”

According to the research team, this behavior resembles fundamental biological processes and may provide insights into how early light driven systems on Earth developed greater structural complexity.

“Light–dark cycles generate a form of structural learning,” Montenegro said. “The system continuously explores different organizational routes and progressively selects the most robust configurations during periods when energy input is absent.”

The study also demonstrated that periodic light and dark cycles are more effective than constant illumination in driving the structural transition. During dark phases, thermal relaxation and molecular reorganization reduced defects and encouraged more ordered molecular packing. Consequently, the system evolved into nanotubes with improved stability and a higher degree of molecular organization.

Beyond its fundamental scientific importance, the findings open new possibilities for designing adaptive materials capable of responding dynamically to external stimuli. A deeper understanding of how fluctuating energy inputs influence the evolution of supramolecular systems could support the development of smart materials, nanoscale devices, and biomimetic systems whose properties can be programmed through controlled energy cycles.

“This study offers a new perspective on how interruptions in energy supply can shape the complexity of molecular systems,” Montenegro concluded. “What matters is not only when energy is present, but also when it disappears.”

A new study has demonstrated that deep learning can accurately predict the rate at which biochar materials degrade antibiotic contaminants, providing a faster approach for improving water treatment and environmental remediation strategies.

Antibiotic pollution is an increasing environmental and public health challenge. These compounds can enter rivers, groundwater, wastewater systems, and agricultural environments, where they may persist, affect aquatic ecosystems, and contribute to the spread of antibiotic resistance. Biochar, a carbon rich material produced from biomass, has emerged as a promising sustainable catalyst for degrading antibiotics. However, designing the most effective biochar for specific treatment systems remains challenging because multiple factors simultaneously influence performance.

Researchers have developed an interpretable artificial intelligence framework capable of predicting antibiotic degradation reaction rates in biochar catalyzed systems. Published in Biochar, the study integrates environmental chemistry, materials science, and deep learning to determine which biochar characteristics and reaction conditions have the greatest impact on performance.

"Biochar based catalysts are highly promising, but their performance is controlled by complex interactions among pore structure, surface chemistry, persistent free radicals, oxidant dosage, and pollutant concentration," said the corresponding authors. "Our goal was to build a practical AI tool that not only predicts degradation kinetics, but also explains why certain systems work better than others."

The research team assembled a comprehensive dataset from 75 peer reviewed studies covering multiple classes of antibiotics, including tetracyclines, fluoroquinolones, and sulfonamides. Sixteen input features were evaluated across three primary categories: biochar catalyst properties, elemental composition, and reaction conditions. The researchers tested six machine learning models, including Random Forest, XGBoost, LightGBM, Support Vector Regression, Multilayer Perceptron, and TabPFN, a transformer based deep learning model designed for tabular data.

Among the evaluated models, TabPFN achieved the highest predictive performance, recording a test R² value of 0.91 and a root mean square error of 0.021. Its performance surpassed tree based, kernel based, and conventional neural network models, highlighting the capability of transformer based learning to manage small yet complex environmental datasets.

In addition to its predictive accuracy, the model provided important mechanistic insights. Catalyst properties accounted for 59.3% of predictive influence, while reaction conditions contributed 25.9% and elemental composition 14.8%. The most influential variables included persistent free radicals, total pore volume, oxidant concentration, pollutant concentration, graphitic structure, average pore size, biochar dosage, and the Raman ID/IG ratio.

The findings indicated that biochars rich in persistent free radicals and produced at temperatures between approximately 450 and 550 °C can enhance the generation of reactive oxygen species, thereby accelerating antibiotic degradation. A total pore volume greater than 0.23 cm³ g⁻¹ was also associated with improved catalytic performance, likely because increased porosity enhances pollutant adsorption, oxidant transport, and access to active sites.

The study further identified practical operating conditions for effective treatment. Moderate oxidant concentrations ranging from approximately 0.5 to 5.5 mg L⁻¹ improved degradation efficiency, whereas excessive oxidant levels could reduce effectiveness through radical scavenging. Lower pollutant concentrations, particularly below 22 mg L⁻¹, were associated with faster degradation because more active sites remained available.

To facilitate practical application, the researchers incorporated the model into a user friendly web based graphical interface. The platform allows users to enter catalyst properties, elemental composition, and reaction conditions to estimate antibiotic degradation rates. During external validation, the tool predicted the performance of new biochar catalysts with errors below 20%.

"This framework can help researchers screen biochar catalysts before conducting extensive experiments," the authors said. "It provides a faster, more explainable, and more cost effective route for optimizing treatment systems for antibiotic contaminated water."

The study demonstrates how interpretable artificial intelligence can advance environmental remediation beyond trial and error experimentation toward data guided catalyst design. By combining predictive capability with mechanistic understanding, the framework provides a broader strategy for improving biochar based technologies and other complex catalytic systems used in pollution control.

A biosensor for diagnosing gout and kidney disease has been developed using the domestically produced clay mineral bentonite. By utilizing a Korean natural mineral that has seen limited application in the biosensor field while maintaining high accuracy and long term stability, the development improves the prospects for commercializing point of care diagnostic medical devices.

The Korea Institute of Geoscience and Mineral Resources (KIGAM) announced on the 16th that Principal Researcher Jae Hwan Kim of the Pohang Geo Resource Demonstration Research Center, in collaboration with Professor Kikyung Kim's research team at the University of Calgary, developed a bentonite based electrochemical biosensor. The findings were published on March 1 in the international journal Biosensors and Bioelectronics.

Uric acid is a key biomarker used in the diagnosis of gout and kidney diseases. Elevated uric acid levels in the blood are associated with an increased risk of gout and impaired kidney function. Biosensors capable of measuring uric acid concentrations are important for rapid diagnosis. However, successful commercialization requires long term stability and the ability to overcome biofouling, a process in which biomolecules accumulate on the sensor surface and reduce performance.

To address these challenges, the research team created a nanocomposite by combining bentonite, which has inherently low electrical conductivity and is therefore difficult to use in biosensors, with highly conductive multi walled carbon nanotubes. An airbrush spray process was then used to uniformly coat the electrode surface, and uricase enzymes were immobilized on the surface to construct the sensor.

The developed sensor accurately measured uric acid concentrations within the range of 10 to 2000 micromolar (μM), covering the levels required for diagnosing gout and kidney diseases. The device maintained high accuracy under artificial serum conditions designed to simulate human blood and demonstrated stable performance for more than 60 days. In addition, the reduction in signal caused by biofouling was significantly improved, decreasing from 27.6% with conventional approaches to 10.0%.

According to the research team, this study represents the first demonstration that bentonite can function as a key material in electrochemical sensors. The researchers noted that the combination of biofouling resistance and long term stability increases the potential for practical clinical applications and future commercialization.

Principal Researcher Jae Hwan Kim said, "This is a convergence research achievement that extends the scientific value of domestically produced natural minerals into the field of advanced medical technology," adding, "By creating high value added materials based on geological resources, we will lead the bio healthcare and next generation diagnostic device sectors."

Dissolved Black Carbon Plays Complex Role in Pollutant Transport and Carbon Cycling

Dissolved black carbon, a water soluble fraction of black carbon generated through incomplete combustion and biochar production, has traditionally been regarded as a mobile form of carbon that moves from soils into rivers, lakes, estuaries, and oceans. However, a recent review published in Biochar suggests that its environmental behavior is far more complex than simple transport through water.

The review, titled “Colloidal stability of dissolved black carbon: interfacial mechanisms and environmental implications,” investigates the behavior of dissolved black carbon (DBC) as a colloidal material. Its colloidal stability determines whether it remains suspended in water, aggregates into larger particles, or settles into sediments. These processes influence not only the environmental fate of DBC but also the transport of contaminants that associate with it.

“Dissolved black carbon is not just a passive carbon residue in aquatic environments,” said the study authors. “Its colloidal behavior can decide whether carbon and associated contaminants travel long distances or become trapped in sediments. Understanding this behavior is essential for predicting environmental risks and carbon cycling.”

DBC is commonly found in natural waters and is released from black carbon residues through leaching and surface runoff. Due to its aromatic structures and oxygen containing functional groups, DBC can bind with heavy metals, organic pollutants, antibiotics, and nanoplastics. When DBC remains stable in water, it can facilitate the transport of these substances throughout aquatic environments. In contrast, when DBC aggregates and settles, it can transfer pollutants from the water column into sediments, potentially creating localized contamination hotspots and altering exposure risks for benthic organisms.

The review identifies molecular structure and surface chemistry as key factors governing DBC stability. These characteristics are influenced by feedstock type, pyrolysis conditions, extraction methods, and environmental aging. Using classical DLVO theory and extended XDLVO theory, the authors describe how electrostatic interactions, van der Waals attraction, and Lewis acid base interactions regulate DBC aggregation. The analysis highlights that short range acid base interactions, particularly hydration and hydrophobic forces, can play a significant role in determining whether DBC remains dispersed or aggregates.

Environmental conditions can substantially influence this balance. Monovalent ions such as sodium generally have limited effects on DBC stability, whereas divalent cations including calcium, barium, and certain heavy metals can destabilize DBC by binding to oxygen containing functional groups and promoting particle bridging. pH is also an important factor. Acidic conditions tend to reduce surface charge and encourage aggregation, while alkaline conditions often enhance colloidal stability. Organic matter, minerals, and photoaging processes may either stabilize or destabilize DBC depending on the nature of their interactions with DBC surfaces.

These findings have important implications for water quality management, soil remediation, and climate research. Although biochar is widely investigated as a soil amendment for carbon sequestration and pollutant immobilization, DBC released from biochar may transport adsorbed contaminants away from treated soils under certain environmental conditions. Additionally, the aggregation and deposition of DBC in estuaries may remove part of the carbon originating from land before it reaches the ocean, suggesting that current estimates of land to ocean black carbon fluxes may require revision.

“The colloidal stability of dissolved black carbon is a missing link between molecular carbon chemistry and large scale environmental outcomes,” the authors said. “Future models of pollutant transport and carbon flux should account for how DBC aggregates, deposits, and interacts with coexisting substances in real environmental waters.”

The authors recommend the development of integrated characterization techniques, more detailed mechanistic studies of heteroaggregation in complex aquatic systems, and predictive models that combine molecular level information with environmental parameters. Such advances could strengthen environmental risk assessments, improve water treatment strategies, and provide more accurate estimates of the contribution of black carbon to long term carbon storage.

Highlights

• A new heat dissipation device design achieved a 47% weight reduction in an NTN planar antenna.

• A newly developed heat dissipation device made from a composite material combining carbon fiber prepreg and graphite sheet was integrated into the NTN planar antenna, and the antenna's required electrical performance was confirmed.

• Operation was also verified for a satellite communication user terminal consisting of the lightweight planar antenna and a modem, enabling installation on mobility platforms such as drones and vehicles.

• This achievement enables installation of the terminal on a wide range of mobility platforms, including drones and vehicles, and represents a significant step toward the realization of NTN.

Abstract

The National Institute of Information and Communications Technology (NICT, President: OHNO Hideo, Ph.D.), Sharp Corporation (Sharp, CEO: KAWAMURA Tetsuji), Mitsubishi Chemical Corporation (Mitsubishi Chemical, President: CHIKUMOTO Manabu), and TECHLAB Co., Ltd. (TECHLAB, President and Representative Director: HATAKEYAMA Hiroshi) jointly achieved a 47% reduction in the total weight of a planar antenna for NTN (Non Terrestrial Network) applications, reducing its weight from 5.5 kg to 2.9 kg through a newly designed heat dissipation device.

The weight reduction was achieved by integrating a CFRP heat dissipation device made from a composite material combining carbon fiber prepreg and graphite sheet into the NTN planar antenna. The required electrical performance of the antenna was also verified. In addition, the system's operation, including modem functionality, was confirmed as a satellite communication user terminal.

This development significantly broadens the range of mobility platforms that can support the terminal, including drones and vehicles. The technology is expected to assist in establishing communication links in mountainous regions and disaster affected areas, enable real time transmission of location information from various mobility platforms, and support future applications such as autonomous driving. These advancements represent an important step toward the realization of NTN.

Background

NTN utilizes satellite communications to provide high speed connectivity in environments where terrestrial mobile communication networks are difficult to deploy, including mountainous regions, offshore locations, remote islands, and disaster affected areas.

However, NTN planar antennas used in satellite communication user terminals require tracking capabilities for satellites and High Altitude Platform Stations (HAPS). This tracking functionality generates substantial heat, making high thermal conductivity and efficient heat dissipation critical requirements. At the same time, further miniaturization and weight reduction are necessary to enable installation of satellite communication user terminals on a broad range of mobility platforms.

To address these challenges, the four organizations have been conducting joint research and development focused on lightweight materials with high thermal conductivity, as well as the design, molding, integration, and evaluation of heat dissipation devices.

Achievements

NICT, Sharp, Mitsubishi Chemical, and TECHLAB jointly achieved a 47% reduction in the weight of an NTN planar antenna through a newly developed heat dissipation device design.

As part of this work, NICT established design guidelines for lightweight heat dissipation devices by addressing the weight and thermal conductivity limitations of conventional aluminum heat dissipation devices used in planar antennas. The organization also conducted research and development on the composition of the novel composite material and the device structure adopted in this project.

Mitsubishi Chemical developed the carbon fiber prepreg and graphite sheet materials used in the composite structure. TECHLAB established the design and molding technologies required to manufacture heat dissipation devices using the new material. These efforts enabled the fabrication of a CFRP heat dissipation device that leveraged the material's low weight and high thermal conductivity, resulting in a device weighing less than 1 kg.

Sharp subsequently integrated the CFRP heat dissipation device into the NTN planar antenna, reducing the antenna's weight from 5.5 kg to 2.9 kg. Evaluations of antenna characteristics confirmed that variations in the radiation pattern remained within the terminal's measurement error range and that receive gain characteristics showed no differences.

The newly developed NTN planar antenna was also integrated with a modem and additional components, and its operation was successfully verified as a satellite communication user terminal. The results demonstrated that a significantly lighter satellite communication terminal can be achieved within the payload capacity of commonly used industrial drones. The terminal can be directly mounted and operated on a wide variety of mobility platforms, including drones and vehicles, thereby expanding deployment possibilities.

Future Prospects

The partners plan to conduct more detailed evaluations of heat dissipation performance and installation capability while investigating optimal heat dissipation device designs for different terminal configurations and application scenarios.

With the goal of practical deployment of ultra compact and lightweight satellite communication user terminals for mobility applications, the organizations will continue prototyping and demonstration activities and aim to contribute to the future realization of NTN.

Roles of Each Organization

NICT: Overall antenna design and simulation for ultra compact and lightweight structures, including heat dissipation design.

Sharp: Development of LEO satellite communication user terminals utilizing miniaturization and communication technologies developed through smartphone design.

Mitsubishi Chemical: Development of new lightweight and highly thermally conductive composite materials for heat dissipation plates.

TECHLAB: Development of molding and processing technologies for the new composite materials.

A recent study has demonstrated that agricultural waste from lavender straw can be converted into a highly sensitive biochar based sensor for detecting ethylene glycol, a widely used but potentially hazardous chemical commonly found in antifreeze and industrial solvents.

Published in Biochar, the study presents a sustainable and controllable approach for engineering the pore structure and surface defects of biochar produced from lavender straw nanocellulose. By adjusting the hydrolysis time during material preparation, researchers developed a sensor capable of detecting ethylene glycol at room temperature with high sensitivity, a low detection limit, and long term stability.

"Our work shows that agricultural residues can be more than waste. With precise structural design, they can become advanced functional materials for public safety and environmental monitoring," said corresponding author Professor Zhaofeng Wu of Xinjiang University. "The key was learning how hydrolysis time controls the internal structure of the biochar."

Ethylene glycol is widely used in antifreeze, polyester manufacturing, and various industrial applications. However, exposure to the chemical can pose health risks, including effects on the central nervous system and damage to multiple organs. As a result, rapid and reliable detection is important for workplace safety, automotive maintenance, industrial inspections, and environmental monitoring.

The research team selected lavender straw, an underutilized agricultural residue from Xinjiang, as the raw material. Its loose fibrous structure and natural calcium content make it well suited for producing biochar with sensing capabilities. Nanocellulose was first extracted from the straw through hydrolysis using oxalic acid and acetic acid, followed by carbonization to produce biochar.

A key finding of the study was that hydrolysis time served as a structural control parameter. Short hydrolysis periods resulted in incomplete separation of nanocellulose, limiting pore development. Excessively long treatment times damaged and compacted the structure. A hydrolysis period of three hours produced the optimal material, designated CLN 3.

CLN 3 exhibited an open mesoporous network with a specific surface area of 46.36 m² g⁻¹ and a high concentration of oxygen related surface sites. These characteristics enabled ethylene glycol molecules to enter the material, interact with the surface, and generate a strong electrical response.

Performance testing showed that the CLN 3 sensor achieved a response of 17,576.67% toward ethylene glycol at room temperature and a detection limit of 0.36 ppm. The sensor maintained stable performance over a period of 40 days and demonstrated repeatable results across multiple sensing cycles. Unlike many conventional ethylene glycol sensors that require elevated operating temperatures, the room temperature operation of CLN 3 could reduce energy consumption and support portable or on site detection systems.

To investigate the origin of the sensor's performance, researchers combined experimental measurements with density functional theory calculations. The results indicated that naturally occurring calcium in the lavender derived biochar enhanced ethylene glycol adsorption. When calcium doping and pre adsorbed oxygen acted together, adsorption energy increased from minus 0.13674 eV to minus 0.39508 eV. This stronger interaction improved charge transfer at the sensor surface and enhanced the sensing signal.

"The synergy between pores, oxygen vacancies, and natural calcium doping gives the biochar its strong sensing ability," said corresponding author Hua Zhuo. "This provides a practical design principle for developing low cost sensors from biomass resources."

The researchers also evaluated the sensor's potential for antifreeze detection through laboratory testing. Although additional calibration and field validation are required for complex real world conditions, the findings suggest a promising pathway for developing sustainable, low cost, and highly sensitive detection technologies.

By transforming lavender straw into a functional sensing material, the study highlights the broader potential of agricultural byproducts as valuable resources for next generation environmental and safety monitoring technologies.

Carbon Nanotube Based Fluorescent Nanosensor Enables Rapid Detection of Gut Health Biomarker

An international team of researchers has developed a fluorescent nanosensor powered by carbon nanotubes that can rapidly detect an emerging biomarker associated with gut health and disease.

The development could support the advancement of faster and more accessible methods for gut health testing.

Indole 3 propionic acid (IPA) is a metabolite produced by gut bacteria during the breakdown of dietary tryptophan, an amino acid required for protein synthesis. IPA plays a role in regulating inflammation and oxidative stress and has been linked to conditions including inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), Type 2 diabetes, and liver disease. Current detection methods rely on mass spectrometry based analytical techniques, which are costly and time consuming, limiting their suitability for routine screening and point of care applications.

The newly developed platform addresses a long standing challenge in gut metabolite sensing. Using a fluorescence based approach, the sensor delivers an optical readout within minutes, providing a faster and more accessible alternative to conventional analytical methods. The platform demonstrates high selectivity by distinguishing IPA from closely related metabolites commonly found in the gut, enabling accurate detection even in complex biological environments such as blood serum.

“This is the first time we are able to directly and rapidly measure IPA levels in biological samples using an optical nanosensor,” said Mervin Ang, co first author, assistant professor at the National Institute of Education within Nanyang Technological University Singapore, and former associate scientific director at the Disruptive and Sustainable Technologies for Agricultural Precision interdisciplinary research group within the Singapore MIT Alliance for Research and Technology when the research began. “This novel approach, which moves away from traditional mass spectrometry, can pave the way towards faster and more accessible ways of monitoring gut health in real world settings.”

The findings are detailed in the open access paper, “Fluorescent Nanosensor for Indole 3 Propionic Acid Detection in Gut Health Monitoring,” published in Advanced Healthcare Materials. The study was led by researchers from the National Institute of Education, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, and Singapore MIT Alliance for Research and Technology, in collaboration with clinicians from the National University Hospital and Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine at the National University of Singapore.

From Monitoring Plants to Sensing Human Health

The nanosensor builds upon research conducted by SMART DiSTAP in nano and optical sensor technologies. Initially developed for monitoring plant health, including growth signals and stress responses, the technology was adapted for human health applications through the redesign of the nano and optical sensing platform to detect IPA.

“This work builds on technology at SMART DiSTAP on molecular recognition. We have used techniques like this to measure hormones and metabolites in living plants for agriculture, and have now applied it to the human gastrointestinal system. We were able to apply it to this long standing challenge in gut health,” said Michael Strano, SMART DiSTAP lead principal investigator, Carbon P. Dubbs Professor of Chemical Engineering at MIT, and corresponding author of the study.

“By focusing our molecular recognition on this important gut health biomarker, we’ve demonstrated a powerful new tool that could one day enable proactive, personalized health care. The tool promises near instant insights into gut wellness, or the status of chronic diseases like IBD.”

A Dual Mode Platform for Rapid Testing and Future Monitoring

A key innovation of the technology is its dual mode sensing capability.

The nanosensor operates in a visible fluorescence mode, allowing rapid, low cost, and high throughput screening of biological samples. It also functions in a near infrared mode with wavelengths capable of penetrating deeper into tissues. This near infrared capability, enabled by carbon nanotubes, creates opportunities for future in vivo applications and integration into wearable devices for home based testing or continuous monitoring.

Such applications could help patients with chronic conditions such as IBD detect flare ups earlier and manage their health more independently.

The platform's flexibility allows it to be used across multiple settings, including laboratories, hospitals, and wearable systems designed for real time health monitoring.

Validated in Patient Samples

To assess clinical relevance, researchers collaborated with clinicians at the National University Hospital to evaluate the nanosensor using 125 human plasma samples collected from multiple patient groups, including healthy individuals and patients with gastrointestinal diseases.

The study identified significant differences in IPA levels between healthy participants and patients with inflammatory bowel diseases, including Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis. Individuals experiencing active gut inflammation exhibited lower IPA levels, consistent with previous clinical observations.

“From a clinical perspective, having a rapid and minimally complex way to assess metabolite levels like IPA could be very valuable,” said Jonathan Lee, senior consultant in the Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology within the Department of Medicine at the National University Hospital, adjunct associate professor at the National University of Singapore Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, and co first author of the study. “It has the potential to complement existing diagnostic tools and provide additional insights into patients with inflammatory bowel diseases.”

Faster, More Accessible Gut Health Testing

The technology has the potential to support faster and more accessible approaches to gut health testing. Rather than depending on complex and time intensive laboratory procedures, the nanosensor could facilitate rapid screening in clinical settings as well as portable or home based testing, supporting earlier disease detection and easier monitoring of treatment progress.

Unlike conventional microbiome tests that primarily identify bacterial species present in the gut, the nanosensor measures the metabolites actively produced by those microbes. This approach provides a more direct and functional assessment of gut health. Measuring metabolite output rather than bacterial composition alone may offer more meaningful health insights and support increasingly personalized healthcare strategies.

The platform could also be used to evaluate the immediate effects of dietary interventions. Users may be able to determine whether specific foods or probiotics are encouraging gut bacteria to produce anti inflammatory compounds such as IPA. The sensor demonstrated reliable performance in complex biological fluids including serum and plasma, representing an important step toward clinical implementation and broader translational applications.

In pharmaceutical and therapeutic research, the nanosensor could support rapid functional testing of new therapeutics and probiotics. By providing immediate measurements of IPA levels, the platform may help researchers assess biological activity and effectiveness in real time, potentially accelerating drug screening and dosage optimization.

Toward Point of Care Diagnostics, and Beyond

“The transition from laboratory discovery to a point of care clinical tool is already underway,” said Ang. “With further development, the platform has the potential to be translated into clinical applications, and in the long term, adapted into portable platforms for routine health monitoring.”

The research team has received an Innovation to Startup Innovation Grant to support the incubation of a Singapore based proto startup focused on advancing validation and development efforts. Planned work includes translating the sensor into a point of care clinical diagnostic tool and expanding the platform to detect multiple gut metabolites simultaneously. Researchers also aim to incorporate AI driven signal deconvolution to enable more accurate, comprehensive, and personalized gut health monitoring.

Future research may explore integration with wearable devices, microneedle systems, and microfluidic platforms to support continuous real time sensing.

The research was supported by the Intra CREATE Seed Collaboration Grant. Research conducted at SMART was supported by the National Research Foundation Singapore through its Campus for Research Excellence and Technological Enterprise program.

Graphene Researchers Push for Greater Reproducibility to Accelerate Technology Transfer

Ever since the discovery of graphene in 2004, the atom thin carbon material has been regarded as a potentially transformative technology due to its exceptional strength, electrical conductivity, and other unique properties. Its emergence also led to the development of a broader class of two dimensional materials, including hexagonal boron nitride and molybdenum disulfide, many of which are considered promising for electronic applications.

Despite their potential, these materials remain challenging to work with. Even small differences in laboratory conditions can influence their properties, making it difficult for researchers to reproduce results obtained by other groups. Some experts believe this reproducibility gap is hindering the transition of two dimensional materials from laboratory research to commercial applications, a process known as technology transfer. According to Peter Bøggild, a researcher specializing in two dimensional materials at the Technical University of Denmark, “We can’t say we are working in a serious way on tech transfer if at the same time we’re not doing proper work on reporting and transparency.”

To address this challenge, Bøggild convened representatives from academia, industry, and funding organizations in 2024 to develop practical recommendations aimed at improving reproducibility. The resulting framework, published in Nature Reviews Physics (DOI: 10.1038/s42254-025-00875-9), introduces a detailed reporting template designed to capture experimental procedures more comprehensively than conventional academic publications.

Ediz Herkert, a postdoctoral researcher at the Institute of Photonic Sciences (ICFO) in Barcelona who was not involved in the initiative, believes the guidelines could significantly improve efficiency across the field. “It should feel like you have an experienced postdoc next to you who’s really explaining everything to you step by step,” he said.

Improved reproducibility may also support technology transfer by helping companies adopt and scale academic research methods more effectively. Amaia Zurutuza, scientific director at Graphenea in San Sebastián, Spain, and a coauthor of the recommendations, emphasized the complexity of these materials. “These materials are complicated,” she said. “If you don’t have the reproducibility part, then it becomes even more complicated.”

Out in the open

All materials are susceptible to contamination, but two dimensional materials are particularly vulnerable because every atom is directly exposed to the surrounding environment. According to Bøggild, “The materials are literally from another dimension. It’s inherently tricky to work with stuff that is open and cannot easily be protected from anything that lands on it.”

Small differences in preparation and handling procedures can significantly influence material performance. Experimental success may depend on minor changes in temperature, humidity, or vibration levels that are often not documented in published methods.

When integrating these materials into devices such as transistors, researchers sometimes highlight only the highest performing device while excluding information about numerous unsuccessful attempts. Zurutuza noted that this practice creates difficulties for industrial teams attempting to reproduce published results. “So many times we find that it’s not as good as it seems,” she said. “But we don’t know if we did exactly the same procedure, because not all the information is there.”

The challenge is compounded by inconsistent use of the term graphene. Many companies use the label to describe a broad range of related materials. Some forms consist of single atomic layers of carbon produced through chemical vapor deposition, while others, such as graphene nanoplatelets, contain multiple layers. Although these multilayer materials are less expensive to manufacture, they generally provide lower performance.

A 2018 study published in Advanced Materials (DOI: 10.1002/adma.201803784) evaluated graphene products from 60 commercial suppliers and found substantial variation in flake size, layer count, and purity. Bøggild stated, “When you buy graphene from commercial vendors, it’s a huge spread of materials, and it’s not high quality.”

Even accurately measuring graphene properties can be difficult. Four years ago, Graphenea participated in a study in which small graphene samples from the same chemical vapor deposition wafer were distributed to 17 laboratories for Raman spectroscopy analysis. Despite the widespread use of this technique, the results varied considerably depending on instrumentation, measurement procedures, and laboratory conditions (2D Materials, 2022, DOI: 10.1088/2053-1583/ac6cf3). Bøggild noted, “This field is huge, so systemic problems represent an enormous waste of resources not just money, but also the time of postdocs and PhD students.”

A STEP at a time

To improve reporting standards, Bøggild and collaborators proposed a standardized template for experimental procedures, known as STEP. The framework functions as an expanded methods section that guides researchers through documenting procedures in a series of detailed steps, including information about materials, equipment, and environmental conditions such as temperature and pressure.

A protocol developed using STEP should include troubleshooting guidance, descriptions of common problems encountered during experiments, and explanations of how those issues were addressed. Photographs and videos may also be incorporated to illustrate specific procedures. The objective is to capture practical knowledge that is often shared informally within research groups but rarely documented in publications. As Bøggild explained, “You need to get all the dirt and the difficulties as part of the recipe.”

Herkert welcomed the emphasis on transparency. “Everyone knows that your sample often doesn’t look as perfect as the one picture that you put into your paper,” he said. “So I really like this greater honesty about reporting things.”

Herkert and fellow ICFO postdoctoral researcher Jaime Díez Mérida are working to establish STEP as a standard practice at their institution and have already begun contributing procedures to an internal database. They estimate that preparing a single protocol requires approximately one full day of work. “It’s a lot of work, and maybe it’s hard initially to convince people to do it,” Herkert said. “But the time you invest saves a lot more time for other people. And if everyone else does it, it will save you time whenever you learn a new process.”

The researchers also argue that creating STEP protocols can provide immediate benefits by helping scientists identify the most critical aspects of a method and uncover opportunities for improvement.

Alongside STEP, the authors proposed a complementary initiative called the Reproducibility Charter, or ReChart. This framework is intended to increase the visibility of reproducibility objectives in funding applications and scientific publications. Funding agencies could allocate resources specifically for the creation of STEP protocols, while publishers could adopt reproducibility reporting requirements based on the charter.

Anders Smith, a funding manager at the Villum Foundation and coauthor of the recommendations, supports the ReChart concept. “We worry about whether it’s too difficult to get funding for reproducibility,” Smith said. “So we tell our grantees they are welcome to use part of their grant on such activities, and we actually have people creating very interesting new stuff by going back and looking at accepted results that maybe no one bothered to examine before.”

The right direction

Several major graphene initiatives already incorporate reproducibility objectives into their programs. One example is the European Union’s Graphene Flagship, which has supported both the Belgium based 2D Experimental Pilot Line and its successor, the 2D Pilot Line. These projects aim to develop wafer scale manufacturing processes capable of consistently integrating high quality graphene into electronic devices. Such efforts could help facilitate adoption of two dimensional materials within the semiconductor industry. “So it’s moving in the right direction,” Zurutuza said.

According to Bøggild, researchers, companies, funding organizations, and publishers have broadly supported the principles outlined in the recommendations. The primary challenge now is encouraging stakeholders to implement them in practice. “Maybe it just needs a little push from me and 1,000 other people,” he said. “Even a small shift could matter a lot.”

Herkert believes the broader impact of these efforts could extend well beyond the field of two dimensional materials. “The strength of this protocol is that it’s really not just limited to the field of 2D materials,” he said. “It’s a template that can be useful in many different fields, basically everything that is related to nanofabrication and clean room work.”

A team of researchers from South Korea has developed a next generation biosensor for diagnosing gout and kidney diseases using bentonite, a natural clay mineral. The development highlights the potential of bentonite, traditionally regarded as a mineral resource, for use in advanced medical device applications.

The Korea Institute of Geoscience and Mineral Resources (KIGAM) and the University of Calgary collaborated on the research. The project was led by Dr. Jaehwan Kim's team at the Pohang Georesource Demonstration Research Center and Professor Ki Kyung Kim's group at the University of Calgary in Canada. Together, they developed an electrochemical biosensor based on bentonite sourced from the southeastern region of Korea.

Uric acid is an important biomarker for the diagnosis of gout and kidney diseases. Elevated levels of uric acid in the blood can indicate gout or reduced kidney function. As a result, technologies capable of measuring uric acid rapidly and accurately are considered essential for the development of point of care medical devices.

To create the sensor, the researchers produced a nanocomposite by combining multi walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) with bentonite. Although bentonite is generally unsuitable for biosensor applications because of its low electrical conductivity, the team addressed this limitation through the nanocomposite approach. The material was uniformly deposited onto an electrode surface using an airbrush spraying process, after which uricase, an enzyme that breaks down uric acid, was immobilized on the surface to complete the sensor construction.

Testing showed that the sensor could detect uric acid concentrations ranging from 10 to 2,000 micromoles (μM), a range relevant to the diagnosis of gout and kidney diseases. The device also demonstrated high accuracy in artificial serum environments, indicating its potential suitability for practical medical applications.

The sensor also exhibited improved resistance to biofouling, a major challenge in the commercialization of biosensors. The signal reduction rate decreased from 27.6 percent to 10.0 percent, while stable performance was maintained for more than 60 days.

According to the researchers, the technology could be applied not only to the diagnosis of gout and kidney diseases but also to the development of point of care diagnostic devices for a broader range of medical conditions.

Dr. Jaehwan Kim stated, “This is a convergence research achievement that expands the scientific value of domestic natural minerals into the field of advanced medical technology,” adding, “We aim to lead the bio healthcare and next generation diagnostic device sectors by creating high value added materials based on georesources.”

The findings were published in the international biosensor journal Biosensors and Bioelectronics.

Neural interfaces are devices designed to detect or modulate neuronal activity when placed in contact with the brain. These technologies are already used to treat a range of neurological conditions. However, existing neural interfaces still face limitations that can affect their performance. One significant limitation is their largely unidirectional operation. While many current devices can stimulate the brain, they are generally unable to accurately detect or decode brain activity at the same time. Even when simultaneous operation is possible, the detection of certain signals, particularly those at very low frequencies, remains challenging.

A recent study led by researchers from IMB CNM CSIC and ICN2, describes a device designed to overcome these limitations. The technology has already been successfully tested in mouse models.

The study presents a graphene based neural interface. Graphene is a flexible nanomaterial with excellent electrical conductivity. The device was developed by integrating two complementary graphene technologies into a single platform. This allows the system to simultaneously record and decode neural signals, interpret the collected information, and modulate brain activity accordingly. Such bidirectional functionality could support the development of real time, patient specific therapies for neurological disorders.

Integrating Two Key Elements

Prof. Jose A. Garrido, one of the study’s lead authors, explained: “Most clinical implants used for conditions such as Parkinson's disease or epilepsy are currently unidirectional. They are based on electrodes that operate with fixed parameters and do not adapt to dynamic changes in brain activity. This results in therapies that are not very specific and cannot adapt.”

To address this issue, the new device combines two graphene based technologies. The first component consists of monolayer graphene transistors (gFETs), which can record brain activity with sensitivity to ultra low frequency signals. The second component includes microelectrodes made from nanoporous reduced graphene oxide (rGO), a graphene derivative capable of modulating nerve cell activity through electrical stimulation.

The integration of these technologies presented both conceptual and technical challenges. Earlier research by the same team had already demonstrated graphene electrodes capable of establishing bidirectional communication with neural tissue. However, those systems experienced signal interference, known as artefacts. In particular, electrical modulation pulses could disrupt the recording of neural signals, obscuring or altering actual brain activity.

Dr. Anton Guimerà, another lead author of the study and a researcher at IMB CNM, stated that “integrating both transistors and electrodes makes bidirectional communication more sensitive and precise. The results showed that monitoring brain activity, including ultra low frequency activity, is not affected by modulation. For this reason, we can say that the device is able to listen and speak.”

The device was fabricated at the Micro and Nanofabrication Clean Room facilities of IMB CNM CSIC and ICN2. Validation studies were conducted in the laboratory of Dr. Rob Wykes at University College London using in vivo mouse models. The experiments demonstrated the technology’s ability to detect biomarkers in real time and deliver targeted, adaptive modulation responses.

A Consolidated Collaboration

The achievement represents another milestone in the long standing collaboration between IMB CNM CSIC and ICN2. The graphene electrodes and transistors incorporated into the device had already been validated through previous research conducted by the collaborative team.

An early milestone in this research area was reported in a Nature Materials article published in 2018. Led by Dr. Anton Guimerà and ICREA Prof. Jose A. Garrido, the study demonstrated the first graphene based implant capable of recording brain activity at extremely low frequencies. Subsequent work, published in Nature Nanotechnology, focused on the development and application of nanoporous graphene technology.

The collaboration between IMB CNM CSIC and ICN2 has also supported the translation of these technologies into biomedical applications. As part of these efforts, INBRAIN Neuroelectronics was established in 2019 with support from ICN2, IMB CNM and ICREA. The company licenses graphene transistor and electrode technologies developed through this research program and is advancing graphene based neural interfaces for clinical applications. It has already completed its first human trial to assess the safety and efficacy of the technology.

Additional collaborators involved in the study included the Biomedical Research Networking Centre in Bioengineering, Biomaterials and Nanomedicine (CIBER BBN), the University of Manchester, University College London, and the Bernstein Center for Computational Neuroscience in Munich, Germany.

Stratasys to Acquire Markforged to Expand Production Scale Additive Manufacturing Capabilities

Stratasys has announced plans to acquire Markforged, combining Markforged’s continuous carbon fiber and metal printing technologies with Stratasys’ industrial FDM expertise as part of a strategy focused on production scale additive manufacturing. Stratasys CEO Yoav Zeif described the transaction as a targeted capability acquisition rather than a traditional consolidation effort.

The proposed combination would bring together Markforged’s expertise in continuous carbon fiber reinforcement and Stratasys’ portfolio of industrial printers, materials, software and services. According to Zeif, the objective is to enhance workflow integration, reliability, repeatability and standards compliance, addressing growing customer demand for additive manufacturing systems that can be seamlessly integrated into existing production environments.

For manufacturers, the proposed deal reflects a broader industry transition in which additive manufacturing is evolving beyond hardware innovation toward scalable, production ready workflows. The combined technologies could support applications including tooling, end use parts, aerospace components and defense logistics, where reliability, system integration and distributed manufacturing capabilities are becoming increasingly significant.

With antibiotic resistance continuing to increase worldwide, researchers have been exploring alternative methods to combat bacterial infections. A new antibacterial approach based on graphene quantum dots has demonstrated the potential to eliminate the need for conventional antibiotics.

When exposed to low intensity blue light, the quantum dots eliminated more than 99.9% of S. aureus and E. coli bacteria, including strains resistant to multiple antibiotics.

Over the past three decades, only a limited number of new antibiotics have been discovered and approved, with most representing minor modifications of existing treatments. This has increased global vulnerability to the growing threat of antibiotic resistant bacteria.

“The World Health Organization (WHO) warned about the impending ‘post antibiotic’ era, where even minor injuries and ordinary bacterial infections may prove fatal,” wrote Sedat Nizamoğlu, professor at Koç University in Istanbul. “This phenomenon is a direct consequence of the growing prevalence of antibiotic resistance among bacteria.”

In response to this challenge, Nizamoğlu and colleagues investigated a different strategy. Rather than developing new antibiotics, the team focused on a quantum based approach to target antibiotic resistant bacteria.

Quantum killers

Quantum dots are extremely small structures, typically only a few dozen atoms in width, capable of trapping electrons. This property enables them to absorb and emit light at highly specific wavelengths, making them useful in applications such as display technologies, solar panels, and quantum computing.

In this study, light emitted by the quantum dots reacted with oxygen to generate highly reactive molecules known as reactive oxygen species. These molecules are toxic to bacteria because they damage bacterial cell walls and interfere with antioxidant defense mechanisms, making them effective against a broad range of bacterial species.

Although the use of quantum dots for antibacterial purposes has been explored previously, earlier approaches encountered significant limitations. One major issue is that many quantum dots are made from heavy metals such as cadmium or lead, which pose toxicity concerns for humans. To overcome this challenge, the researchers developed antibacterial quantum dots using graphene, a carbon based material considered safe for human use. Another limitation of previous studies was the inability of quantum dots to eliminate large amounts of bacteria, even under high intensity light exposure.

Through a simple chemical modification, the research team significantly improved the amount of light emitted by the quantum dots relative to the amount of light absorbed. This enhancement increased antibacterial effectiveness by more than twenty times, allowing the quantum dots to perform effectively at much lower concentrations.

Experiments conducted in mouse cells demonstrated that the graphene quantum dots could eliminate S. aureus and E. coli at the lowest concentration reported to date for any light activated quantum dot system.

Antibacterial coatings

In liquid form, the quantum dots could potentially be incorporated into creams, gels, or wound dressings for the prevention and treatment of skin infections. The researchers also investigated the use of quantum dot coatings on medical implants, which are frequently associated with bacterial infections.

“Particularly, devices continuously exposed to the patient’s microbiota, such as dental implants, catheters, and wound dressings are among applications that are at risk for infection and could majorly benefit from a bactericidal implant coating,” stated Nizamoğlu.

The team developed thin films consisting of five layers of quantum dots that could be applied to implants and other medical devices. The coated material demonstrated high stability and eliminated more than 99.9% of S. aureus and E. coli bacteria under low intensity blue light, including strains of both species that were resistant to multiple antibiotics.

Further studies in animals and humans will be required before this antibacterial technology can be considered for clinical use. However, because graphene is a stable material that is inexpensive and relatively easy to produce, the researchers believe that graphene quantum dots could eventually provide an effective and accessible alternative to traditional antibiotics.

Halogen Free Flame Retardant Composite Coating Developed for Wood

Researchers have developed a halogen free flame retardant composite coating for wood that combines polyvinyl acetate with biochar, kaolin and trimethylsilyl polyphosphate. The system significantly reduces heat release and smoke generation, providing a sustainable approach to improving fire safety in construction and interior applications.

Wood is widely recognised as a renewable and sustainable construction material. However, its natural flammability continues to restrict its safe use in many building applications. To address this limitation, researchers developed a novel halogen free composite coating designed to improve the fire resistance of wood while maintaining a sustainable material profile.

The coating formulation consists of polyvinyl acetate (15 wt%) as the binder, combined with biochar (0.5 wt%), kaolin (2 wt%) and trimethylsilyl polyphosphate (3 wt%) dispersed in methanol. The composite was produced through solution blending and applied to the wood surface using a single layer drop casting process at a thickness of approximately 0.6 mm.

Event Tip: Principles of Wood Coatings

The principles behind effective wood coatings and their role in protecting and enhancing wooden surfaces are explored in the Principles of Wood Coatings e learning tutorial. The tutorial covers topics including the chemistry of wood coatings, adhesion mechanisms, environmental considerations and application techniques, providing a deeper understanding of this important field.

Char Yield and Thermal Stability Significantly Improved

A comprehensive characterisation programme using ATR FTIR, Raman spectroscopy, TEM, TGA, DTG, DSC, cone calorimetry and optical and 3D surface analysis confirmed uniform filler dispersion, strong chemical interactions and improved thermal stability. The coated samples achieved a char yield of approximately 26% at 800 °C, demonstrating the formation of a dense and protective char layer.

Lower Heat Release and Smoke Generation

Cone calorimeter testing showed significant improvements in fire performance. Total heat release decreased to 48.77 MJ/m² compared with 63.56 MJ/m² for uncoated wood. The average heat release rate was reduced to 80.82 kW/m² from 100.65 kW/m².

The mass loss rate also declined to 6.558 g/s·m² compared with 7.781 g/s·m² for the reference sample. In addition, reduced smoke volume rates and lower surface temperatures further confirmed the coating’s flame retardant and smoke suppression capabilities.

The results indicate that this bio based, halogen free composite coating has strong potential as a sustainable solution for improving the fire safety of wood used in construction and interior applications.

NanoXplore and Techmer PM have introduced GrapheneBlack xGnP Masterbatch for use in plastic film applications.

According to a press release from NanoXplore, the graphene based material demonstrated an improvement of more than 70% in mechanical strength. The material may also enable film thickness reductions of up to 20% while maintaining tensile strength, tear resistance, and puncture performance.

The companies stated that the material could support increased levels of recycled content in film formulations without compromising performance. This capability is expected to assist packaging manufacturers as they respond to stricter sustainability regulations and circular economy targets.

NanoXplore President and CEO Rocco Marinaccio said: “The combination of NanoXplore’s new xGnP graphene technology and Techmer’s application development and compounding capabilities produced a genuine breakthrough for our joint customers one that neither company could have achieved alone.”

The product was developed through a collaboration between NanoXplore and Techmer PM, integrating NanoXplore’s xGnP graphene technology with Techmer PM’s expertise in film applications and compounding.

Techmer PM’s Techsperse dispersion technology is designed to distribute graphene throughout the material, helping to achieve consistent and repeatable performance. The company stated that this technology, combined with its manufacturing processes, supports production consistency across commercial scale manufacturing lots.

For product development, Techmer PM operates in house film production equipment, including a five layer blown film line used for small scale sampling and process testing. This infrastructure allows customers to develop formulations, evaluate multilayer structures, and advance products toward commercial launch.

Techmer PM CEO Craig Foster commented: “Our partnership with NanoXplore helped us bring a high value graphene based solution to market that directly addresses some of our customers’ most pressing performance and sustainability challenges while also driving meaningful cost savings.

“It’s a strong example of our commitment to delivering practical, forward looking solutions that enable our customers’ success.”

NanoXplore filed a provisional patent for the technology last month.

The companies intend to showcase the co developed product line at the AMI Flexible Packaging Innovation and Recycling Conference in Milwaukee, United States, scheduled for 24 to 25 June 2026.

Founded in 1981, Techmer PM is a materials design company focused on modifying the properties of technical polymers.

NanoXplore is a graphene producer with an annual production capacity of 4,000 metric tonnes at its facility in Montreal, Canada.

Tianjin Aerospace Firm Advances Commercial Spaceflight with Carbon Fiber Composite Fairings

A Tianjin based aerospace company has developed carbon fiber composite payload fairings that reduce rocket weight by more than 20 percent, providing a domestic Chinese solution that now serves over 90 percent of China's commercial launch vehicles and supports the rapid expansion of the global commercial space sector.

"We pioneered an integrated product team R&D model that unites design, material research, and manufacturing teams to speed up iterative upgrades," said Zhang Yi, chairman and CTO of iStar, while describing the company's key technological innovation.

"This collaborative innovation system bridges basic research, engineering trials, and mass production, offering a replicable development path for commercial aerospace worldwide," Zhang said.

Headquartered in Dongli District, Tianjin iStar Space Technology Co. focuses on the integrated design, research, and manufacturing of lightweight aerospace composite structures. Its payload fairings are designed to protect satellites from temperatures exceeding 1,000 C, intense vibrations, and aerodynamic noise during atmospheric ascent before separating from the launch vehicle at high altitude.

The use of lightweight composite materials significantly reduces rocket mass. With the same propulsion capability, launch vehicles can carry larger payloads into orbit, providing an important advantage as demand for diverse commercial launch missions continues to grow.

The company has addressed longstanding challenges associated with achieving low density, high strength, and heat resistance within a single material system. The composite material weighs only one fifth as much as conventional metal while maintaining structural rigidity comparable to steel.

Founded in 2018, the national level "Little Giant" enterprise has contributed to 45 successful commercial orbital missions, including the June 15 launch of the Lijian 1 Y14 rocket, which deployed eight satellites. The company is among China's leading private aerospace firms capable of consistently delivering composite fairings at scale for repeated orbital missions.

Its manufacturing capabilities include fairings with diameters ranging from 1.2 meters to 4.2 meters, while a 5.2 meter ultra large prototype is currently undergoing comprehensive testing. The company's product portfolio also includes satellite adapters and multifunctional thermal insulation components.

A relatively young workforce plays a key role in the company's innovation efforts. The average age of the core research and development team is 32. The company collaborates with Tianjin University, National University of Defense Technology, and other leading research institutions on the development of advanced material technologies.

Yang Shenyuan, director of the Dongli District Bureau of Industry and Information Technology, emphasized the company's importance within the regional industrial ecosystem. "iStar anchors our booming aerospace industrial chain, which posts double digit annual output growth."

Six major advanced manufacturing sectors account for 90 percent of Dongli District's industrial output. Targeted policy measures and collaboration platforms linking universities and industry have helped accelerate the commercialization of space related technologies.

Zhang called for continued policy support to encourage the development of a more diversified commercial space ecosystem. According to Zhang, stronger participation from private enterprises alongside state owned aerospace organizations could further enhance China's competitiveness in the global space industry.

NoviqTech (NVQ) has announced plans to divest its Carbon Central, Fuel Central, NoviqAI and Quantum Intelligence platforms, along with the associated intellectual property, as part of a strategic shift toward the high growth carbon dioxide removal (CDR) sector through its subsidiary, Coralia.

The assets will be sold to India's Renaissance Infrastructure for a total consideration of $1 million in cash. The payment structure includes an upfront payment of $200,000, with the remaining $800,000 to be paid in quarterly instalments secured by Renaissance.

The proposed transaction is intended to support NoviqTech's focus on a large scale offtake agreement with Pure Data Centres Group, which covers 70% of the biochar CDR credits generated by the company's flagship Great Barrier Reef biochar project in north Queensland.

The divestment is expected to allow the company to reallocate capital and management resources toward the expansion of Coralia while improving its balance sheet and working capital position.

In addition, NoviqTech expects to reduce operating costs by more than $100,000 per month. As part of the transaction, all employees currently working within NoviqTech Services will transfer to Renaissance, along with their accrued leave entitlements and related liabilities.

Shareholder Value Creation

According to the board, the company's most significant opportunity for creating shareholder value lies within the carbon dioxide removal sector through the development and commercialisation of Coralia's biochar carbon removal projects and related low carbon concrete products.

The divestment is expected to support the advancement of these initiatives and facilitate a new research partnership with Melbourne's Swinburne University of Technology focused on expanding biochar applications in low carbon concrete.

The collaboration will specifically focus on opportunities within the data centre industry.

Through this strategy, NoviqTech aims to strengthen its position within the expanding global carbon removal market while drawing on its expertise in environmental data and carbon measurement, reporting and verification.

Managing Director Appointment

NoviqTech has announced that managing director Freddy El Turk has resigned from the role, with executive director Timothy Brooks appointed as managing director effective immediately.

Mr Brooks said the transaction with Renaissance marks an important step in the company's strategic transition.

“Divesting the Carbon Central and Fuel Central technology assets allows us to concentrate our efforts and direct capital to what we see as the most compelling growth opportunity for NoviqTech,” he said.

“Coralia has demonstrated notable commercial potential in the fast emerging carbon removal market and this transaction enables us to accelerate our strategic focus while remaining disciplined in how we allocate capital.”

Graphene Manufacturing Group Ltd (TSX V: GMG, OTCQX: GMGMF) has shipped its first bulk order of THERMAL XR graphene coating to Nu Calgon Wholesaler, its exclusive distributor in North America. The shipment represents a move toward commercial sales within the United States HVAC R market.

The product will be marketed and sold under the brand name Nu Calgon CoolWorx powered by GMG Graphene.

The shipment follows regulatory authorization previously announced by GMG. The authorization enables the company to export, distribute, sell, use, and dispose of its graphene coating in multiple industries across the United States under a pre manufacture notice issued by the US Environmental Protection Agency.

Nu Calgon President DeWight Wallace said the company was "very excited" to receive the first shipment and begin introducing the product to the North American HVAC R market.

“GMG's graphene technology offers contractors a genuine, measurable energy saving solution, and we look forward to deploying it across our distribution network. This is exactly the kind of innovative product our customers are looking for,” Wallace said.

“We also look forward to welcoming [GMG CEO] Craig and members of his team to our headquarters in St Louis to spend valuable time together planning for our future partnership."

GMG Chief Executive Officer Craig Nicol stated that the order marks the transition from product development and regulatory approval to commercial deployment in what he described as the world's largest HVAC R market.

“Receiving EPA authorisation to export and sell our graphene based product in the United States is something very few companies have achieved, and we are proud to be bringing that technology to market alongside a distributor of Nu Calgon's calibre,” Nicol highlighted.

GMG Chairman and Non Executive Director Jack Perkowski described the shipment as an important milestone for the company and a reflection of years of commercialization efforts.

“Paired with Nu Calgon's reach across North America, we now have the foundation to scale THERMAL XR in a market that we believe will define GMG's next phase of commercial growth,” he said.

Estonian climate technology company UP Catalyst is progressing plans to establish a large scale production facility in Finland that would convert captured carbon dioxide emissions into battery grade graphite and carbon nanotubes.

The company has signed a Letter of Intent (LoI) with Finnish energy provider Oulun Energia to evaluate the use of captured carbon dioxide from one of the utility's facilities in Oulu, Finland, as a feedstock source for future production.

UP Catalyst employs a proprietary molten salt electrolysis process to convert captured carbon dioxide into sustainable carbon materials used in batteries and other industrial applications. The proposed facility, targeted to begin operations by 2031, is expected to have an annual production capacity of approximately 20,000 tons of battery grade graphite and carbon nanotubes.

Building a European supply chain for critical materials

According to the company, Finland has become a strategic location for the next stage of expansion due to its established industrial infrastructure, access to competitively priced clean energy, and increasing importance within Europe's battery manufacturing sector.

“Finland offers a very strong foundation for industrial scale up, with a reliable energy grid, competitive clean energy, strong industrial infrastructure, and clear support for clean transition technologies,” said Rait Maasikas, CEO of UP Catalyst.

Under the agreement, UP Catalyst and Oulun Energia will examine opportunities related to industrial integration, energy infrastructure development, and the use of captured carbon dioxide streams from Oulun Energia's operations. The companies are also assessing the feasibility of locating the facility within the Oulu Industrial Park.

UP Catalyst and Oulun Energia evaluate industrial integration opportunities

Oulun Energia, one of Finland's largest energy companies, stated that the project supports its objectives related to industrial decarbonization and economic growth in Northern Finland.

“The collaboration with UP Catalyst aligns with Oulun Energia’s strategy, where we aim for strong growth through the green transition, as well as our mission to recycle materials and strengthen the vitality of Northern Finland,” said Kimmo Alatulkkila, Head of New Business at Oulun Energia.

The companies intend to identify the requirements necessary to develop UP Catalyst's first large scale graphite production plant, with construction potentially commencing before the end of the decade.

The initiative has also received support from Finland's investment and innovation sector. Earlier this year, Business Finland awarded UP Catalyst a €47 million (approximately $54.5 million) tax credit through its investment support program for large scale projects that contribute to the development of a climate neutral economy.

Certification enables North American manufacturers to access graphene-enhanced formulations at commercial scale through established infrastructure.

Modern Dispersions Inc. (MDI) has been certified as a qualified HydroGraph compounding partner, expanding commercial scale graphene masterbatch production capabilities in North America. The Leominster, Massachusetts based compounder successfully completed HydroGraph's technical and commercial qualification process, enabling its dual facility operation to supply graphene enhanced polymer formulations to a wide range of manufacturing sectors.

With more than 50 years of experience in carbon black compounding, MDI operates 18 extrusion lines across facilities in Massachusetts and Fitzgerald, Georgia. Together, these facilities provide an annual production capacity of approximately 300 million pounds. This production capability supports increasing demand for advanced materials that enhance product performance while contributing to sustainability goals.

HydroGraph’s graphene upscales mechanical performance of thermoplastics at low dosages.

Nanocarbon development expertise

MDI has extensive experience in the development and application of nanocarbon materials, including graphene oxide, electrically conductive carbon black, carbon nanotubes, and various graphite grades. Company research has shown that nanocarbon additives can improve electrical conductivity, thermal conductivity, tensile strength, and barrier properties in polymer systems at lower loading levels. This approach aligns with the performance characteristics of HydroGraph's fractal graphene technology.

HydroGraph's fractal graphene is designed to provide performance enhancements at ultra low loading levels. According to the company, the material can improve tensile strength, modulus, and toughness by 20% to 70% while maintaining processability compared with conventional reinforcing fillers. Reported benefits also include reduced product weight, lower material consumption, faster cycle times, cost savings, and improved sustainability characteristics.

Strategic partnership for market expansion

"Modern Dispersions brings deep expertise in carbon based materials and high volume compounding," said Kjirstin Breure, president and CEO of HydroGraph. "Their ability to achieve consistent dispersion of challenging carbon materials at commercial scale makes them a strong partner as we expand the availability of Fractal Graphene™ across North American manufacturing markets."

"Achieving HydroGraph Compounding Partner certification reflects our continued commitment to advanced materials innovation," said Jan Kozma, vice president of sales of Modern Dispersions, Inc. "Our experience working with carbon nanomaterials and specialty concentrates positions us well to help customers integrate graphene into commercial polymer applications."

MDI supplies materials to a variety of industries, including agricultural film, pipe, wire and cable, geomembranes, food packaging, electronic packaging, consumer electronics, textiles, and household plastic products. As a certified HydroGraph Compounding Partner, the company can support customers seeking improved performance, reduced weight, enhanced conductivity, and other functional benefits through the incorporation of graphene at low addition rates.

A research team in Bochum, Germany, has discovered that light can slow movement at the nanoscale through a phenomenon known as quantum friction. The finding provides new insights into a process that has remained poorly understood and has been published in the journal Nature.

Light is generally expected to heat particles or set them in motion. However, researchers at Ruhr University Bochum demonstrated the opposite effect. In aqueous solutions, fluorescent carbon nanotubes moved significantly more slowly when exposed to light. As light intensity increased, the diffusion constant decreased. Researchers linked this behavior to direct coupling between electrons in the solid material and molecules in the surrounding liquid.

"This discovery of light-induced quantum friction fundamentally changes our understanding of interfacial processes," says researcher Sebastian Kruss, who led the study alongside Marialore Sulpizi and Martina Havenith.

Experiment: Light as an invisible brake

The carbon nanotubes used in the experiments are composed of a carbon lattice and are approximately 100,000 times thinner than a human hair. These nanotubes emit fluorescence when exposed to visible light.

Using microscopy, the researchers monitored the movement of the nanotubes. When illuminated, the nanotubes behaved as if the surrounding water had become more viscous.

"Our experiments show that the diffusion decreases when we increase the light intensity," says Kruss, professor of physical chemistry. "What's fascinating is that this effect vanishes entirely when we use nanotubes in which the electronic excitations that lead to the fluorescence, known as excitons, are slowed down at defects. This means it is the mobility of the excitons along the nanotube that is in direct exchange with the environment and creates this decelerating effect."

Theory: Understanding the transfer of momentum

To explain how an exciton within a nanotube can reduce the movement of the entire structure in water, the team conducted numerical calculations and atomistic simulations. These simulations provided a detailed view of the interactions occurring at the interface between the nanotube and the liquid environment.

"By doing so, we were able to show that the fluctuating dipole moments of the excitons in the nanotubes directly couple with the collective movements of the water molecules," explains Sulpizi, a professor of theoretical physics. "A tiny but measurable transfer of momentum takes place. The water is not a smooth medium for the illuminated nanotube, but instead there is resistance on the surface that slows the movement."

Spectroscopy: Water as an active partner

A central area of research within the Excellence Cluster RESOLV (Ruhr Explores Solvation) focuses on the role of water as more than a passive solvent. Using terahertz spectroscopy, the researchers experimentally confirmed the immediate coupling between the nanotubes and surrounding water molecules.

"With THz spectroscopy, we were able to determine how the friction and energy dissipation into water occur in real time after excitation of electronic states of the nanotube," says Havenith, spokeswoman for RESOLV. "It is a textbook example of how solvation interactions with the environment dominate physical properties like friction. This knowledge that we can control the friction at the interface with the liquid via electronic excitation in the solid opens up entirely new doors in materials science and nanotechnology."

The discovery of light-induced quantum friction highlights how the distinction between solid state physics and liquid physics becomes less defined at the nanoscale. The ability to control friction using light may enable future applications that require precise regulation of transport processes over extremely small length scales.

Present for the first time at Eurosatory, Hexcel Corporation (NYSE: HXL) will showcase composite solutions designed to meet defense industry requirements for lightweight, high performance, cost effective, and sovereign capabilities. The Hexcel booth, located in Hall 4, Booth D266, will feature a broad portfolio of materials used across fixed wing aircraft, rotorcraft, space launchers, satellites, missiles, drones, and other defense and space systems.

“As a partner to the world’s most strategic sector, Hexcel is proud to attend this key Worldwide tradeshow for Defense and Security players,” said Lilian Braylé, President Aerospace Europe, Asia Pacific, Middle East, Africa & Industrial. “Our advanced composite technologies provide our customers with state of the art, sovereign, and combat proven solutions. On the battlefield, even the smallest detail can make a difference – our expertise does.”

Through a fully vertically integrated supply chain, Hexcel offers close customer support and ITAR free capabilities that contribute to strengthening European local to local strategic independence.

Hexcel’s lightweight and high strength materials are currently deployed on more than 100 platforms, including major European and Asian trainer and fighter aircraft programs such as Rafale, Eurofighter, Grippen, Tejas, and KF 21. The company’s materials are also used in military transport aircraft programs including A400M and C295, as well as helicopter platforms such as H160, H145, NH90, AW249, AW139, ALH, and LCH. Additional applications include missiles and drones developed by customers such as Kongsberg and MBDA.

The company is also involved in major space launcher programs including Ariane and Vega, as well as emerging space initiatives such as ISAR, PLD, Skyroot, and Beyond Gravity. Hexcel materials are additionally used in satellite programs including Amazon LEO Kuiper, with particular relevance to the Indian market.

Vertical Integration Ensuring Sovereignty of Composite Materials

Hexcel maintains a fully localized and vertically integrated supply chain within Europe. By maintaining end to end control, from initial chemical processing through the production of finished carbon fiber structures, the company ensures continuity of supply for its customers. This integrated approach supports the industrial and technological independence of European nations and their allies.

With production facilities across France and Europe, Hexcel operates an autonomous manufacturing network within the region. This structure reduces exposure to geopolitical trade disruptions and global supply shortages. For strategic programs, regional self sufficiency is particularly important because it is not subject to foreign export restrictions such as US ITAR requirements and helps secure long term European defense industrial capabilities.

Combat Proven Performance and Reliability for Critical Assets

Hexcel develops advanced composite technologies that address growing demand for lighter and stronger materials. Its portfolio includes carbon fiber, honeycomb structures, matrix systems, and engineered composite structures designed to provide strength, thermal stability, and resistance to micro cracking for defense applications.

The company’s composite solutions have been deployed on more than 100 platforms, including key European defense programs. These materials contribute to payload optimization, extended operational range, and reduced lifecycle maintenance requirements. Their reliability supports operational effectiveness across a wide range of environments and mission conditions.

The LR2M Carbon Drone Airframe, developed by AERONEFS SERVICES in collaboration with COMPOSITE DISTRIBUTIONS, will be displayed at the stand. The platform uses HexPly® Carbon Epoxy Prepreg to achieve a lightweight, durable, and easily manufacturable structure. Designed for next generation unmanned aerial vehicles, it offers strong structural performance and dependable operation in demanding environments.

This demonstrator illustrates how advanced Hexcel composites can support faster drone production while enabling scalable and mission ready platforms for defense and industrial applications.

The exhibition will also feature several of Hexcel’s advanced composite technologies for aerospace and defense applications. HexShape™, a textile technology developed for complex three dimensional geometries, supports more efficient manufacturing through net shape woven fabrics. The technology provides continuous fiber architecture, multi fiber design flexibility, and strong dimensional stability while remaining compatible with infusion, RTM, and prepreg manufacturing processes.

Hexcel will also present the HF640F 2 fast cure resin system through a full scale tail rotor demonstrator developed with Airbus Helicopters under the CORAC “Chanel” program. The system features a 15 minute injection and cure cycle at 180°C and delivers high temperature performance with a glass transition temperature exceeding 180°C.

In addition, the company will showcase its aerospace grade high throughput towpreg system, which combines HexPly® M901 1 resin with HexTow® IMA 24K fiber. The solution demonstrates the potential for automated, high rate material deposition in aerospace and defense structures.

Another featured technology is Abladur® 97, a thermal protection composite designed for missile launcher systems. The material provides both structural reinforcement and thermal shielding for operation in extreme environments.

About Hexcel

Hexcel Corporation is a global provider of advanced lightweight composite technologies. The company develops high performance material solutions designed to improve strength, durability, and weight efficiency. Its product portfolio includes carbon fiber, specialty reinforcements, prepregs, fiber reinforced matrix materials, honeycomb structures, resins, engineered core materials, and composite structures. These products are used in commercial aerospace, defense, space, and a range of industrial applications.

Carbon nanotubes (CNTs) are considered among the most promising nanomaterials for future technologies due to their exceptional mechanical strength, electrical conductivity, and thermal performance. However, the successful integration of these properties into practical applications depends on the ability to efficiently produce long, high quality CNTs.

A key obstacle in CNT synthesis is the gradual loss of activity of the catalyst nanoparticles responsible for nanotube formation. As catalyst performance declines over time, CNT growth is limited, reducing both the achievable length and overall quality of CNT forests.

To address this challenge, a research team led by Associate Professor Hisashi Sugime and Lecturer Hiroyuki Asakura from the Department of Applied Chemistry, Faculty of Science and Engineering, Kindai University, Japan, together with Dr. Shin ichi Naya from the Environmental Research Laboratory at Kindai University, investigated whether rare earth cocatalysts could enhance the stability of iron (Fe) based catalysts during CNT growth.

The researchers evaluated three rare earth elements, erbium (Er), gadolinium (Gd), and scandium (Sc), to assess their ability to extend catalyst lifetime and support the growth of centimeter long CNT forests. The results were published in the journal Carbon.

The study employed catalyst systems consisting of Fe deposited on an aluminum oxide support combined with one of the three rare earth cocatalysts.

Using chemical vapor deposition, the team examined CNT growth under various temperature conditions. The resulting materials were characterized using scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, Raman spectroscopy, atomic force microscopy, and X ray absorption spectroscopy. These analytical methods enabled detailed evaluation of catalyst behavior, CNT structure, and the chemical state of Fe throughout the growth process.

At a growth temperature of 800°C (1,472°F), all three rare earth cocatalysts extended catalyst lifetime compared with Fe alone, allowing the formation of centimeter scale CNT forests. Growth rates and CNT structural characteristics were generally similar across the three catalyst systems.

More pronounced differences emerged at 900°C (1,652°F), a higher temperature that accelerates catalyst degradation. Under these conditions, the Fe and Sc catalyst remained active for approximately 18 minutes, while catalysts containing Er or Gd lost activity after only seven to eight minutes.

Further analysis identified the factors contributing to Sc's superior performance. The presence of Sc significantly reduced the coarsening and aggregation of Fe nanoparticles. In addition, X ray absorption measurements indicated that Sc helped maintain Fe in a more oxidized state, a condition associated with improved resistance to structural changes and catalyst deactivation.

As a result, the catalyst continued producing CNTs for a substantially longer period, even under elevated temperature conditions.

"This study demonstrates that Sc can significantly improve the durability of Fe catalysts during CNT growth," explains Dr. Sugime.

"Maintaining catalyst stability is essential for producing longer and higher quality CNTs efficiently."

According to the researchers, this study represents the first reported binary catalyst system composed of Fe and Sc for high temperature reactions.The findings provide new insight into the role of catalyst chemistry in controlling nanoparticle stability and extending catalyst lifetime.

The team noted that the research could contribute to the development of advanced electrode materials for higher power and longer lasting batteries, as well as improved electrochemical biosensors.

"Our motivation has been to find practical ways to harness the outstanding properties of CNTs," says Dr. Sugime.

"Previous studies suggested that suppressing structural changes in catalyst nanoparticles could prolong CNT growth, and this inspired us to explore new cocatalyst combinations."

Overall, the study identifies the Fe and Sc catalyst system as a promising approach for producing long, high quality CNT forests under challenging growth conditions.

By introducing a new method for stabilizing catalysts at high temperatures, the research may support future advances in advanced materials, energy storage devices, sensing technologies, and high strength structural applications over the coming decade.

Reproduced with Permission from Composites World

Ludeca Inc. (Doral, Fla., U.S.), a distributor of predictive and proactive maintenance solutions, is presenting the CRY8128 acoustic imaging camera from Crysound (Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China and Katy, Texas, U.S.). The handheld device is designed to accelerate industrial inspections by combining ultrasonic acoustic sensing with infrared thermal imaging, enabling simultaneous, real-time visualization of both data streams in a single instrument.

The CRY8128 is built around an array of 200 microphones operating at up to 100 kHz bandwidth and is housed in a rubber-molded enclosure weighing 3 lbs. The unit features a 1,920 × 1,200, 8" LCD display and supports detection ranges of up to 656'. A user-replaceable battery provides up to 10 hrs of continuous operation, allowing one battery to charge while the other is in use.

The camera targets three primary inspection scenarios: gas leak detection, electrical partial discharge analysis and mechanical deterioration monitoring. In gas leak applications, the instrument identifies leak locations and provides real-time estimates of leakage volume and associated economic loss. For electrical inspections, the CRY8128 displays Phase Resolved Partial Discharge charts in real-time and classifies discharge types to support further diagnostic decision-making. According to the company, the camera identifies faults up to 10 times faster than traditional inspection methods.

The integration of infrared and acoustic imaging is noted as particularly useful in high-temperature environments such as steam trap inspections, where thermal data supplements the acoustic readings to inform maintenance decisions. By combining both technologies in one device, the workflow eliminates the need for separate thermal and acoustic inspection passes.

The CRY8128 is paired with reporting software that features wireless data transfer from camera to software, infrared data analysis and tools for postprocessing inspection data into formatted reports. The software interface has been redesigned for ease of navigation and operation.

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Carbon nanotubes are emerging as a promising material for future semiconductor devices, advanced batteries, conductive polymers, and water treatment systems. Bengaluru based NoPo Nanotechnologies is positioning itself as a supplier in this sector by scaling the production of single walled carbon nanotubes and developing application specific products for electronics and energy storage markets.

Founded in 2011 by Gadhadar Reddy and Robert Kelley Bradley, NoPo Nanotechnologies has grown into a team of approximately 50 employees focused on manufacturing single walled carbon nanotubes. These materials have walls only one carbon atom thick and diameters roughly 200,000 times smaller than a strand of human hair.

In an exclusive conversation with EE Times, co founder and CEO Gadhadar Reddy said, “The challenge is not only producing them but also ensuring they all have the same dimensions so that they exhibit the desired properties.”

NoPo Nanotechnologies recently inaugurated a pilot production line and is establishing a new production plant in Bengaluru. According to the company, the facility will become the world's second largest carbon nanotube production site and the first of its kind in this region of Asia. The plant is designed to supply battery manufacturing lines directly.

Two years ago, the company secured $3 million in a pre Series A funding round from Mission10X, Inflexor, and family offices. Since then, it has increased nanotube production capacity, advanced material applications, and begun preparations for a Series A funding round aimed at supporting a larger manufacturing facility.

Historically, the global market for single walled carbon nanotubes has been dominated by Luxembourg headquartered OCSiAl, one of the world's largest producers of the material, with manufacturing and research operations across Europe and Asia. Reddy noted that many customers are seeking alternative suppliers, creating opportunities for emerging manufacturers such as NoPo.

Process control challenge

Carbon nanotubes were first discovered in the 1990s. However, early attempts at commercial production often resulted in batch based manufacturing with inconsistent performance from one batch to another.

To overcome this challenge, NoPo Nanotechnologies stated that it developed process controls covering more than 200 production parameters. “We have identified more than 200 different parameters that influence production, and we actively control them,” Reddy said.

The company manufactures nanotubes using the high pressure carbon monoxide (HiPco) process, which was developed by co founder Robert Kelley Bradley together with chemistry Nobel laureate Richard Smalley.

Unlike conventional chemical vapor deposition (CVD) systems, which typically operate under vacuum or near atmospheric conditions, the HiPco process functions at temperatures exceeding 1,000°C and under significantly higher pressures. Even minor contamination can immediately halt production, making consistency dependent on identical inputs during every production run. According to Reddy, the process operates continuously, enabling nanotube production for as long as reactants are supplied.

The nanotubes are produced using catalyst particles, typically iron based, on which carbon atoms assemble into spiral structures that grow into tubes before sealing with end caps.

A NoPo Nanotechnologies engineer stands beside a HiPco reactor at the company's Bengaluru facility, holding a sample of carbon nanotube material produced through the process. The reactor is used to manufacture single walled carbon nanotubes under high temperature and high pressure conditions.

Single walled nanotubes consist of only one atomic layer, while multi walled nanotubes contain multiple concentric layers. Although multi walled nanotubes generally offer higher conductivity, single walled nanotubes can often achieve comparable performance with much lower loading levels.

“In conductivity related applications, users often observe a tenfold difference between the two,” Reddy said.

The company's process produces nanotubes with an average diameter of 0.8 nm and a variation of approximately 0.2 nm.

Diameter is particularly important for electronics applications because a nanotube's bandgap depends on its size. Carbon nanotubes can exhibit bandgaps ranging from 0 to 2 electron volts, allowing researchers to select specific electrical properties by separating nanotubes according to diameter.

Following production, NoPo performs a separation process that classifies nanotubes based on diameter and corresponding bandgap. These enriched materials are then supplied to semiconductor and electronics customers.

The company also works with chirality controlled nanotubes. In nanotube science, chirality refers to the arrangement of carbon atoms within the structure and determines whether a nanotube behaves as a semiconductor or a metallic conductor.

Reddy stated that the company can separate nanotubes according to chirality and can also distinguish between enantiomers within the same chirality class.

Battery and chip markets

NoPo's current commercial focus is on batteries and polymers. Carbon nanotubes are also being investigated for semiconductor nodes beyond 2 nm. In such applications, the nanotube itself functions as a transistor. Reddy explained that a nanotube transistor can measure approximately 1 nm in width and 10 nm in length, compared with more than 30 × 30 nm for a transistor at a 2 nm process node.

Single walled nanotubes also function as direct bandgap semiconductors, helping avoid some of the heat generation limitations associated with silicon. Demonstrations have shown nanotube devices operating at clock speeds exceeding 100 gigahertz.

The company is currently working with Taiwan's leading chip manufacturer, which Reddy did not identify by name, although the relationship remains at the research and development stage. “They are evaluating the material within their own manufacturing processes,” Reddy said.

Adoption remains slower in semiconductors than in batteries and polymers. Customers evaluating polymer applications typically require around one month, while battery customers generally require between one and two years for automotive applications and four to six months for certain non automotive uses.

Current battery applications focus primarily on silicon anodes. One approach to increasing battery capacity involves incorporating silicon into the anode. However, silicon is inherently unstable and requires single walled carbon nanotubes to improve stability.

Reddy stated that the company supplies nanotube dispersions that are incorporated into anode slurries. He believes carbon nanotubes have already achieved commercial viability in battery applications, adding approximately 1% to battery costs while improving capacity, cycle life, and charging performance, based on company validation tests.

Nanotubes are already being used in premium smartphones and high end automotive batteries through materials supplied by existing market participants.

The company is also evaluating sodium ion batteries through a feasibility project funded by India's Technology Development Board and conducted with an undisclosed Israeli partner. Early results have demonstrated improvements in both charging performance and capacity.

Sodium ion batteries are often promoted as a lower cost alternative capable of exceeding 20,000 charge cycles. Global demand is increasing as manufacturers seek alternatives to existing supply chains.

Local supply chain

Rather than selling raw nanotubes, NoPo Nanotechnologies stated that it converts nearly all production into dispersions. Individual nanotubes are invisible to the naked eye and require specialized equipment such as a transmission electron microscope (TEM) for observation. In bulk form, they appear as a black, fluffy powder.

The company removes residual metal particles before converting the material into stable dispersions that customers can directly incorporate into battery slurries and polymer formulations.

“We do not intend to sell raw nanotubes,” Reddy said. “It is much more practical to provide the material in a ready to use form.”

The company's research and development facility covers approximately 1,486.45 square meters (16,000 square feet). The site includes reactor clusters, purification systems, monitoring systems, dispersion processing equipment, and material characterization facilities.

Evaluation quantities vary by market segment. Polymer customers typically assess between 25 and 100 kilograms of material, while battery customers generally require between 1 and 10 kilograms. Commercial orders are typically measured in metric tons.

Localization has become a significant part of NoPo's strategy. According to Reddy, approximately 90% of the company's inputs, including reactor systems, heating elements, pressure vessels, filter assemblies, and catalysts, are sourced or manufactured within India. During the Covid 19 period, the company also developed its own gas compressors when delivery times for commercial systems extended to nearly two years.

“That is one of the advantages we have in the market because we control much of the supply chain from end to end,” he said.

Beyond electronics

The company also supplies evaluation materials to battery manufacturers and is working with Taiwan's leading chip manufacturer, which Reddy did not explicitly identify, on semiconductor research.

Beyond batteries and semiconductors, NoPo has developed carbon nanotube membranes for water purification. The technology has received support through programs run by NITI Aayog, the Indian Navy, Karnataka's Elevate 100 initiative, and XPRIZE.

More recently, NoPo participated in the XPRIZE water scarcity challenge and became the only Indian team to qualify. The company won a semi final round and received a finalist award after demonstrating a membrane that achieved three times the water flow of conventional desalination membranes for the same membrane area. Reddy stated that the improvement enables greater clean water production while reducing energy consumption.

In a recent project, NoPo developed a transparent nanotube coating for polyethylene packaging that retained conductivity while allowing QR codes to remain visible. The company also sees potential opportunities in printed electronics, although it has not yet actively pursued that market.

Looking ahead, Reddy said NoPo intends to remain focused on single walled carbon nanotubes while gradually building a broader nanotechnology ecosystem around its manufacturing base in Bengaluru.

“We started with the fundamental material and are now building forward from that foundation,” he said. “In that sense, we are creating demand for the material by enabling new applications and products.”

Researchers in Japan have developed some of the smallest semiconducting nanotubes ever produced. By growing molybdenum disulfide (MoS2) within protective boron nitride (BN) nanotubes, the team created highly uniform nanotubes measuring just 1 nanometer in diameter, a scale at which stable nanotube structures are extremely challenging to fabricate.

The study, titled Confined Growth of Armchair MoS2 Nanotubes at the 1 nm Limit and published in Science, provides experimental confirmation of theoretical predictions made more than 25 years ago regarding the behavior of ultrafine nanotubes. The findings also suggest a potential pathway toward further miniaturization of electronic devices.

According to the researchers, MoS2 nanotubes could eventually find applications in semiconductor electronics, high resolution sensing technologies, and quantum scale physics research.

“We achieved the synthesis of atomically precise semiconducting nanotubes with nanometer diameters. The coaxial structure, where a semiconducting MoS2 nanotube is surrounded by an insulating boron nitride (BN) nanotube, is attractive for gate all around transistors, one of the most advanced transistor architectures,” said lead author Yusuke Nakanishi, Associate Professor in the Department of Advanced Materials Science at the University of Tokyo.

“Our paper demonstrates a way for structural control of inorganic semiconducting nanotubes at the atomic scale. And we experimentally demonstrated that the bandgap (related to how materials work as semiconductors) of the nanotubes decreases as their diameters become smaller, in agreement with theoretical predictions proposed more than a quarter century ago.”

Traditional nanotube fabrication techniques are generally limited to producing structures larger than 10 nanometers in diameter and often result in multiwalled nanotubes with irregular or poorly controlled atomic arrangements.

To overcome these limitations, Nakanishi and colleagues synthesized single walled MoS2 nanotubes with diameters of approximately 1 nanometer and well defined atomic structures. The nanotubes were formed through chemical reactions inside the confined interior of BN nanotubes. This restricted environment stabilizes the formation of MoS2 nanotubes and promotes precise atomic ordering, a key requirement for device engineering.

“In nanotubes, even small structural differences can strongly affect their properties. If the structure can be precisely controlled, the properties are more consistent, which is essential for reliable and reproducible transistor performance. Their biggest advantage is atomic level structural control,” said Nakanishi.

“Current silicon transistors are typically made by etching bulk silicon, but it’s increasingly difficult to keep their structures perfect at smaller sizes, where defects have a big impact. Carbon nanotubes also face a challenge for transistor applications, since even tiny structural differences can change how they behave, including whether they act more like metals or semiconductors. Our nanotubes could offer a more reliable way to build ultrasmall semiconductor channels with consistent properties.”

Although practical applications remain several years away, significant challenges must still be addressed before functional transistor devices can be developed. One key objective is extending nanotube lengths from the current limit of several hundred nanometers to approximately 1 micrometer.

The researchers also plan to explore the use of the technique with other inorganic materials, including magnetic and superconducting nanotubes. They believe the approach could broaden nanotube research beyond carbon based systems and enable the development of a wider range of atomically precise nanotube materials for scientific research, sensing technologies, and future generations of smaller and faster electronic devices.

Researchers at The University of Manchester's National Graphene Institute have demonstrated that electrons in ultra clean graphene can be guided with high precision while preserving their spin information, an important requirement for future low power electronic and quantum technologies.

The findings, published in Physical Review X, show that electrons can travel ballistically, meaning without scattering or resistance, across micrometer scale distances in graphene at low temperatures while maintaining spin coherence up to room temperature.

Using a technique called transverse magnetic focusing (TMF), the researchers manipulated electron trajectories in a manner similar to the way lenses guide light. The study revealed that these curved electron paths retain a distinct spin signature.

Manchester based co author Dr. Daniel Burrow said, "What's exciting here is that we can shape the path of electrons in graphene and, at the same time, tune how their spins behave. It's a bit like using a set of lenses and mirrors, but for spin-polarized electrons. This opens a practical way to control spin without needing strong spin–orbit interaction in the material."

Electron paths reveal spin behavior

The graphene device developed by the team employs ferromagnetic cobalt contacts to inject and detect spin polarized electrons at the edge of an encapsulated graphene channel. When a small magnetic field is applied perpendicular to the device, electron trajectories curve into cyclotron orbits. When these orbits reach the appropriate size, the electrons arrive directly at the detector contact, generating distinct signal peaks at specific magnetic field strengths.

These TMF peaks serve as direct evidence of ballistic electron transport. The researchers identified three such peaks during the study.

Importantly, both the magnitude and sign of the TMF peaks varied according to the alignment of the magnetic contacts, indicating that the focused electron signal carried spin information. This observation confirmed that spin transport across the device occurred through ballistic electron trajectories rather than through diffusive scattering processes.

Control at the flick of a gate voltage

The researchers also demonstrated control over the spin signal by adjusting the voltage applied to the back gate, which regulates electron density within the graphene. Under certain conditions, the spin signal was enhanced compared with conventional nonlocal spin valve measurements. In other cases, its polarity could be completely reversed.

This behavior results from an interaction between the electrons' orbital motion and their spin. The effect arises because the ferromagnetic contacts induce local charge transfer doping and a proximity exchange effect at the graphene edge. As a result, the graphene region adjacent to the contact acquires magnetic characteristics, and the ballistic movement of electrons from this region into the surrounding nonmagnetic graphene channel produces spin dependent electron optics.

The findings demonstrate transistor like control of spin without introducing spin orbit coupling into the graphene channel.

A route toward practical spin based devices

Clear ballistic transport was observed at a temperature of 25 K, while quasi ballistic transport remained detectable at room temperature. The continued spin sensitivity of the TMF peaks under these conditions indicates that spin coherent ballistic transport can persist in environments relevant to practical device applications.

The study introduces a new operating principle for spintronic devices, which rely on controlling electron spin rather than electrical charge. The mechanism resembles the concept behind the Datta–Das spin field effect transistor but achieves spin modulation through electron optics phenomena instead of spin orbit interactions.

Co author Dr. Ivan Vera Marun added, "We have shown that electron optics in graphene can do more than guide electrons, it can actively shape their paths in a spin-dependent manner. Being able to control spin in this way, using low-power and scalable materials, moves us closer to practical spin-based technologies and future quantum systems."

Reproduced with Permission from Composites World

BigHead Bonding Fasteners Ltd. (Verwood, U.K.) has launched a major update to its digital content to make it easier for engineers and designers to access the information they need to solve composites fastening challenges with confidence.

Specifications. The company has introduced a Specifications section that brings together bigHead’s technical data sheets (TDS) and newly added CAD models for standard products. This gives engineers quick, consolidated access to essential product information.

Guidance. BigHead has also published a new library of open-access engineering guidance. The guides support materials‑specific design, fastening and assembly decisions, and the testing and evaluation of fastener installations.

Application case studies. This section showcases real‑world examples of how customers are applying bigHead products and guidance in their applications — from embedding fasteners into glass fiber-reinforced pop-top roofs, to adding fasteners to UAV sandwich structures, without crushing the core.

BigHead’s insights are shaped by six decades of customer collaboration in composites fastening. All resources are open access, with no signup required.

See original article here

A team of researchers has developed a sustainable catalyst derived from cotton hulls that significantly enhances the effectiveness of ozone in removing persistent organic pollutants from water. The study, published in Biochar, demonstrates that a nitrogen doped biochar catalyst known as N BC 800 can efficiently degrade N,N diethyl meta toluamide (DEET), a widely used insect repellent that is increasingly being detected in rivers, wastewater, and other aquatic environments.

DEET is widely used because of its broad spectrum protection against mosquitoes and other insects. However, once it enters wastewater streams, it can persist in the environment and resist conventional treatment processes. Although ozone is commonly applied in water purification, its effectiveness can be limited by its selectivity and inability to completely mineralize certain contaminants. The study found that nitrogen modification of biochar substantially improves ozone based treatment performance.

The researchers produced N BC 800 using cotton hulls as the feedstock and urea as the nitrogen source through a two step pyrolysis process. During catalytic ozonation experiments, the catalyst achieved 94% removal of DEET, significantly outperforming both ozone alone and unmodified biochar. The apparent second order rate constant reached 2538 M⁻¹ s⁻¹, representing a 106 fold increase compared with ozone alone and a 25 fold increase compared with ozone combined with conventional biochar.

“This work shows that agricultural waste can be transformed into a high value catalyst for advanced water treatment,” said corresponding author Prof. Yonghui Song. “By tailoring the surface chemistry of biochar, we can make ozone work faster and more effectively against pollutants that are difficult to remove.”

Analysis of the catalyst revealed that its enhanced performance resulted from both structural and chemical modifications. Nitrogen doping increased the material's surface area, introduced defects into the carbon framework, and improved electron transfer properties. Detailed experiments and density functional theory calculations identified pyridinic nitrogen and surface C=O groups as the primary active sites. These sites facilitate ozone adsorption and activation, promoting the generation of reactive oxygen species, particularly superoxide radicals and hydroxyl radicals, which are responsible for DEET degradation.

“The most exciting finding is the synergy between pyridinic nitrogen and C=O groups,” said Prof. Zhiwei Song. “These two surface sites do not simply act alone. Together, they enhance electron transfer to ozone and accelerate the generation of reactive oxygen species.”

Beyond DEET removal, the catalyst demonstrated effectiveness against several other water contaminants, including atrazine, ketoprofen, ibuprofen, and primidone. Experiments conducted in river water and municipal wastewater treatment plant effluent showed that N BC 800 maintained strong catalytic activity even under complex real world water conditions containing natural organic matter and common inorganic ions.

The material also exhibited promising durability. After five consecutive reaction cycles, N BC 800 retained approximately 80% of its catalytic activity, while structural analyses detected no new crystalline phases following use. In real secondary effluent, the catalyst maintained roughly 73% of its activity after five cycles.

The treatment process also contributed to toxicity reduction. Researchers identified 14 transformation products and proposed several degradation pathways, including hydroxylation, dealkylation, decarboxylation, and ring opening oxidation. Toxicity modelling and bioluminescence tests using Vibrio fischeri indicated that catalytic ozonation significantly reduced residual bioavailable toxicity compared with treatment using ozone alone.

The findings suggest that nitrogen doped biochar produced from cotton hulls offers a sustainable, metal free, and effective approach for removing persistent organic pollutants from water.

For more than 25 years, physicists have predicted that reducing certain semiconductor nanotubes to extremely small dimensions would fundamentally change their electronic behaviour. Experimental confirmation, however, remained elusive because structures at this scale tend to become unstable before reaching the sizes needed for validation. Researchers at the University of Tokyo have now addressed this challenge by fabricating atomically precise molybdenum disulphide nanotubes with diameters of just one nanometre, roughly 100,000 times thinner than a human hair.

The achievement establishes one of the smallest semiconducting nanotubes ever created and provides direct evidence for long standing theoretical predictions about how electronic properties evolve at the nanoscale. The work also introduces a platform for developing highly miniaturised electronic components, with potential applications in quantum devices, energy efficient transistors and nanoscale sensors.

How ultrathin molybdenum disulphide nanotubes could transform future transistors and quantum devices

Nanotubes have been a subject of scientific interest since the early 1990s because their cylindrical atomic structures can exhibit distinctive electrical, optical and mechanical properties. While carbon nanotubes became the primary focus of research, scientists also proposed that inorganic semiconductor nanotubes could offer advantages for future electronic systems if their atomic structures could be precisely controlled. In 1995, researchers successfully demonstrated the high rate gas phase growth of MoS₂ nested inorganic fullerenes and nanotubes.

Advancements in functional properties

As research advanced, attention shifted toward understanding the physical properties of these materials.

Superconductivity and photovoltaics: Studies of related chiral nanotubes led to the discovery of superconductivity in 2017 and an enhanced intrinsic photovoltaic effect in tungsten disulfide nanotubes in 2019.

Theoretical predictions: Studies conducted in 2000 and 2002 suggested that the electronic properties and stability of MoS₂ nanotubes would change significantly as their diameters decreased. These models predicted that the bandgap would become smaller as nanotube diameter was reduced.

The study, Confined growth of armchair MoS₂ nanotubes at the 1 nm limit, highlights the difficulty of achieving such dimensions. Conventional fabrication methods generally produce nanotubes with diameters greater than 10 nanometres and often result in multiple walls and structural imperfections.

Theoretical models developed more than two decades ago indicated that much smaller single walled nanotubes should exhibit measurable changes in their electronic bandgap, a key property that determines how semiconductors conduct electricity. Until now, these predictions had not been experimentally verified.

According to Associate Professor Yusuke Nakanishi of the Department of Advanced Materials Science in Kashiwa at the University of Tokyo:

"We achieved the synthesis of atomically precise semiconducting nanotubes with nanometer diameters. These precise nanotubes are identified as an ideal platform for nanoscale transistor channels."

Measurements carried out by the research team showed that the bandgap decreases as nanotube diameter becomes smaller, directly confirming theoretical predictions made more than 25 years ago.

Building a stable nanotube only one nanometre wide

The researchers achieved the breakthrough by using boron nitride nanotubes as protective outer templates. Within these confined nanoscale environments, molybdenum disulphide atoms assembled into highly ordered single walled nanotubes approximately one nanometre in diameter.

Such small nanotubes had long been considered unstable because of the extreme strain generated by their high curvature. Stability was achieved through spatially confined reactions within insulating boron nitride nanotubes.

Advanced electron microscopy and chemical mapping confirmed the formation of the structures and revealed highly ordered atomic arrangements. The surrounding boron nitride shell provided structural support, enabling the ultrathin semiconductor nanotubes to form without collapsing.

Unlike many existing nanotube systems, the resulting structures do not rely on multiple concentric walls or internal support materials. Instead, the architecture maintains a clean semiconducting channel with atomic level precision.

Yusuke Nakanishi, the lead and corresponding author of the study, explained:

"Their biggest advantage is atomic-level structural control. This specific architecture is viewed as a promising path toward creating truly nanoscale transistor channels."

Why the discovery matters for future electronics

As silicon transistors approach their physical scaling limits, researchers are investigating alternative materials capable of maintaining reliable performance at extremely small dimensions. At these scales, even minor structural imperfections can significantly affect device behaviour, presenting a major challenge for future semiconductor technologies.

The newly developed nanotubes may help address this issue because their atomic structure can be controlled with far greater precision than conventional semiconductor channels. The researchers suggest that the coaxial configuration, in which a semiconducting MoS₂ nanotube is enclosed within an insulating boron nitride nanotube, could be useful for gate all around transistor architectures, one of the most advanced transistor designs currently under development.

Although practical applications are still some years away, the study establishes a new route for constructing semiconducting nanotubes with predictable electronic characteristics. The same approach could potentially be extended to magnetic, superconducting and other inorganic materials, expanding the scope of nanotube research beyond carbon based systems.

The work also resolves a scientific question that originated more than 25 years ago. Predictions that once existed only in theoretical models can now be directly observed and measured within a nanotube only one billionth of a metre in diameter.

Biochar has long been recognized for its potential in sustainable agriculture, pollution control, and carbon sequestration. However, broader adoption has been constrained by a practical limitation. Compared with advanced carbon materials such as activated carbon, graphene, and carbon nanotubes, biochar typically exhibits lower surface area and electrical conductivity. Although post treatment methods can enhance these properties, they often increase costs, energy consumption, and the risk of secondary pollution.

A recent review published in Biochar suggests that the future development of biochar may depend less on replicating the characteristics of advanced carbon materials and more on leveraging its inherent ability to exchange, store, and transfer electrons.

The review, titled “Driving biochar applications via intrinsic redox superiority: electron transfer mechanisms, quantification, aging effects, and design strategies,” was authored by Shasha Li, Zimeng Zhang, Yanling Ren, Fan Lü, Xiaoying Hu, Zhenhan Duan, Lili Yang, Jianwei Du, Pinjing He, Mingyang Zhang, and Yong Wen.

“Biochar is not simply a porous adsorbent. It is an active participant in electron transfer processes,” said corresponding author Mingyang Zhang. “By understanding and tuning its intrinsic redox properties, we can design more sustainable biochar materials for pollutant degradation, microbial processes, energy recovery, and long term environmental use.”

A central focus of the review is electron exchange capacity (EEC), which encompasses both electron donating capacity and electron accepting capacity. These properties originate from redox active components within the biochar structure, including oxygen containing groups, nitrogen containing groups, persistent free radicals, and redox active minerals.

According to the authors, these redox active sites enable biochar to function as both an electron shuttle and an electron buffer. In environmental systems, this capability can facilitate electron transfer among microorganisms, accelerate the breakdown of organic pollutants, support anaerobic digestion processes, and promote reactions associated with energy recovery and carbon dioxide conversion.

The review emphasizes that biochar performance cannot be attributed solely to electrical conductivity. In certain situations, biochar with relatively low conductivity can outperform highly conductive materials because its redox active sites can transfer and temporarily store electrons. This dual functionality provides an advantage in environments where electron availability is limited or where systems experience operational stress.

The authors also identify several scientific challenges that require further investigation. One major issue is the accessibility of redox active sites. Even when biochar contains a high concentration of these functional groups, not all are available to interact with microorganisms, contaminants, oxidants, or reductants. Their effectiveness depends on factors such as location within the material, accessibility through pores and surfaces, and compatibility between their redox potential and that of reaction partners.

Another challenge involves measurement and quantification. The review evaluates chemical, electrochemical, and microbiological methods used to determine electron exchange capacity, noting that each approach offers distinct advantages and limitations. Variations in redox reagents, pH conditions, adsorption behavior, mediators, equilibration times, and microbial accessibility can produce different results. To improve consistency and comparability among studies, the authors advocate for the development of standardized measurement protocols.

The review further highlights the significance of environmental aging. Once introduced into soil, water, or waste treatment environments, biochar interacts with oxygen, minerals, organic matter, and microbial communities. These interactions can either strengthen or diminish its redox properties over time, underscoring the importance of long term monitoring in practical applications.

Looking forward, the authors recommend a transition toward targeted design strategies that are cost effective and environmentally responsible. Instead of relying extensively on chemical modifications after production, future approaches could focus on controlling feedstock composition, co pyrolysis conditions, mineral content, and structural characteristics during biochar manufacture. The review also identifies data driven and multi objective optimization methods as promising approaches for balancing performance, economic feasibility, and environmental safety.

“The key is to design biochar around its own strengths, not just copy other carbon materials,” said corresponding author Yong Wen. “If we can identify, visualize, quantify, and preserve the right redox active structures, biochar can become a more competitive and sustainable material for large scale environmental solutions.”

By presenting biochar as an inherently redox active material, the review outlines a framework for enhancing its effectiveness in pollution control, soil remediation, carbon management, and renewable energy applications.

Reproduced with Permission from Composites World

AIC International (Corona, Calif., U.S.) has announced that it is expanding to Mérida, Yucatán, Mexico. “To us this is more than opening a new location,” says Alfonso Cuellar, AIC International general director. “It is a commitment to bringing advanced composites manufacturing technologies closer to companies across the Americas including Canada, the USA, Mexico and Latin America.”

For more than a decade, AIC International has supported customers in Mexico ranging from small fabricators and entrepreneurs to OEMs, manufacturers and engineering teams. Now, as the industry continues to evolve, the company sees a growing need to help companies bridge the gap between traditional composites manufacturing and the next generation of advanced manufacturing technologies.

This is why AIC International’s expansion into Yucatán is focused on providing access to:

• Advanced composite materials
• Carbon fiber and specialty reinforcements
• Light RTM and vacuum infusion technologies
• Large-format additive manufacturing (LFAM)
• Tooling and production solutions
• Technical support, training and process development.

“AIC International’s mission is simple: Help companies grow,” says Cuellar. “Whether you’re manufacturing fiberglass parts every day, are exploring carbon fiber for the first time, want to improve productivity with light RTM or are evaluating LFAM technologies for molds and end-use parts, we want to be part of that journey.”

Through its strategic partnerships with companies such as CEAD, Airtech, MVP, Textile Products/Kordsa, AkzoNobel and other global technology providers, AIC is working to connect Mexico and Latin America with the technologies shaping the future of composites manufacturing.

See original article here

Engineers have traditionally viewed impurities as defects that should be eliminated to enhance material performance. However, new research from Osaka Metropolitan University and the Fraunhofer Institute for Mechanics of Materials IWM indicates that certain chemical impurities can play a beneficial role in reducing friction. The findings were published in Advanced Science.

Friction occurs when two surfaces slide against or rub against one another. Although friction is essential in many applications, it also contributes to wear, energy loss, and reduced lifespan of mechanical components. As a result, researchers have long pursued superlubricity, a state in which surfaces slide with exceptionally low resistance.

"While graphene or graphite like structures are known to enable nearly frictionless sliding, creating and maintaining such structures in practical systems remains challenging," said Takuya Kuwahara, lecturer at Osaka Metropolitan University's Graduate School of Engineering and lead author of the study.

Carbon exists in several structural forms, including graphene, graphite, diamond, and amorphous carbon, each exhibiting distinct frictional properties.

Graphite consists of stacked graphene layers that can move easily over one another, resulting in extremely low friction. Graphene itself is composed of atomically thin carbon sheets. Diamond, by contrast, forms a rigid three dimensional structure that is exceptionally hard and resistant to sliding. Amorphous carbon lacks a regular atomic arrangement and behaves differently under mechanical stress.

The researchers focused on amorphous carbon because it can transform into graphitic aromatic structures at the contact points between sliding surfaces.

This transformation, known as shear induced aromatization, suggests the possibility of coatings capable of forming and restoring their own low friction interfaces. However, the factors determining when this transformation occurs remained unclear.

To investigate the mechanism, the research team conducted a large scale computational study using quantum mechanical molecular dynamics simulations. The results revealed that chemical impurities significantly influence the transformation process.

"While impurities have often been associated with reduced material performance, we found that chemical impurities play a key and previously underappreciated role in enabling the formation of superlow friction interfaces in amorphous carbon," Kuwahara said.

Analysis of 1,000 simulations involving sheared amorphous carbon with different impurity elements showed that impurities with low valency, meaning they form fewer than four chemical bonds, consistently promoted the formation of graphitic aromatic structures

Hydrogen and oxygen were particularly effective in enabling the development of stable low friction interfaces. In contrast, pure carbon systems and silicon doped carbon systems did not form the same structures.

The study showed that these impurities stabilize small voids within the carbon network. Under continued mechanical stress, nearby carbon atoms reorganize into aromatic ring structures that resemble graphene or graphite. Simultaneously, the impurities inhibit the formation of harder diamond like structures, allowing low friction interfaces to remain stable over time.

The findings challenge the conventional assumption that impurities primarily diminish material performance and suggest a new materials design approach based on carefully controlling impurity type and concentration. Such control could influence how carbon coatings reorganize under mechanical stress.

Rather than relying exclusively on external lubricants or pre engineered graphitic coatings, future materials may be capable of generating low friction surfaces autonomously during operation.

The researchers plan to examine the mechanism under more realistic conditions, including combinations of multiple impurity elements and varying environmental factors such as pressure and temperature. Experimental validation of the predicted atomic scale processes is also expected to be an important next step.

"Our ultimate goal is to contribute to the development of design strategies for carbon based materials that can form and maintain ultralow friction interfaces under real world conditions," Kuwahara said. "Such materials could reduce wear, improve durability, and cut energy loss in mechanical systems across a wide range of technologies."

Reproduced with Permission from Composites World

With support from Northern Light Composites’ (nlcomp, Monfalcone, Italy) CTO Alessandro Stagni and CEO Fabio Bignolini, Nova Carbon’s (Mérignac, France) recycled carbon fiber (rCF) materials have been successfully integrated into a custom skipper seat, illustrating their use in real applications that meet high industrial standards in demanding marine environments.

Nova Carbon produces high-quality rCF, and nlcomp manufactures structural components using rComposite — a fully recyclable thermoplastic composite technology, verified ISO 14021 by DNV. Combined, these technologies achieve a composite with fully recycled fibers and a fully recyclable matrix

Joining this collaboration is Stéphane Le Diraison, Vendée Globe finisher and engineer, deeply committed to advancing sustainable marine innovation through his Time For Oceans project. The campaign has been formed to find solutions for low environmental-impact sailboat and offshore racing design and manufacturing. So far, methods employed include use of rCF in collaboration with Nova Carbon, but are also considering mold-free construction, lower-energy-consuming manufacturing processes and use of bio-based materials.

Nova Carbon documented this collaboration in a video that tells the story of this partnership and how it is advancing the future of composites. Access it through LinkedIn.

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A comprehensive scientific review has argued that biochar should be engineered around its natural ability to exchange electrons rather than being extensively modified to replicate the properties of advanced synthetic carbon materials. Leveraging these intrinsic biochemical characteristics could significantly enhance biochar’s potential for large scale environmental remediation and energy recovery applications.

The limits of conventional modification

Biochar has been widely investigated as a sustainable material for carbon sequestration, agricultural improvement, and pollution control. However, compared with high performance synthetic carbon materials such as activated carbon, graphene, and carbon nanotubes, untreated biochar generally exhibits lower surface area and reduced electrical conductivity.

Although intensive chemical and thermal treatments can improve these physical characteristics, such approaches often increase production costs, require greater energy input, and may generate additional environmental impacts. The review proposes a different strategy that prioritises the material’s inherent chemical properties rather than relying on costly modification processes.

Mechanics of the electron shuttle

Published in the journal Biochar, the review examines a key parameter known as electron exchange capacity. This metric includes both the electron donating and electron accepting capabilities naturally present within the material’s structure. These functions arise from several active components, including:

• Oxygen containing chemical groups
• Nitrogen containing chemical groups
• Persistent free radicals
• Active mineral structures embedded throughout the carbon matrix

These functional sites enable biochar to operate as an effective electron shuttle or buffer within environmental systems. Rather than depending solely on electrical conductivity for energy transfer, biochar can capture, temporarily store, and subsequently transfer electrons. This capability supports microbial activity, promotes the breakdown of complex organic pollutants, and facilitates chemical reactions involved in anaerobic digestion and carbon dioxide conversion.

Overcoming structural and measurement barriers

Despite these advantages, the review identifies several significant challenges that must be addressed before large scale implementation can be achieved. One of the primary limitations is accessibility. Many of biochar’s active redox groups are located deep within its pore structure, restricting direct interaction with contaminants and microorganisms.

Another challenge is the absence of standardised measurement methods. Existing chemical, electrochemical, and microbiological assessment techniques often produce inconsistent results because of differences in testing conditions, including pH levels, equilibration times, and the chemical agents used. Establishing reliable performance benchmarks will require the development of unified testing standards across the research community.

Designing sustainable, low cost biochar

The review presents a data driven framework for optimising biochar production without the need for hazardous chemical treatments after manufacturing. Future development efforts are expected to focus on controlling feedstock composition, managing co pyrolysis temperatures, and selecting appropriate mineral elements during the initial charring process.

The authors also emphasise the importance of considering environmental ageing. After biochar is introduced into soil or wastewater environments, ongoing exposure to oxygen, naturally occurring minerals, and microbial activity can gradually alter its electronic characteristics.

Incorporating these long term structural changes into early multi objective optimisation models will be essential for maintaining biochar’s safety, durability, and effectiveness as a tool for carbon management and renewable energy applications.

Speaking with TechGraph, Gadhadar Reddy, Co Founder and CEO of NoPo Nanotechnologies, discussed the historical barriers that limited large scale commercial adoption of single walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs), including manufacturing complexity, low production yields, and purification challenges. He also explained how increasing demand from battery, semiconductor, and filtration industries is creating the need for scalable production technologies capable of supporting industrial applications.

Reddy further outlined how NoPo Nanotechnologies has refined its proprietary High Pressure Carbon Monoxide (HiPCO) process to improve production consistency and scalability. According to him, these advancements enable customers to deploy SWCNTs in applications such as advanced batteries and semiconductor manufacturing while addressing long standing challenges associated with commercial scale production.

TechGraph: Single walled carbon nanotubes have been studied for decades and have consistently shown strong theoretical potential across multiple industries. Yet large scale commercialisation has remained limited to a small number of players globally. What, in your view, were the fundamental bottlenecks that kept the category from scaling earlier, and what has changed now that allows companies like NoPo Nanotechnologies to move towards more confident industrial production?
Gadhadar Reddy:

Reddy stated that the primary historical limitation was not the material's potential but the complexity of its manufacturing chemistry. According to him, SWCNT synthesis operates within a narrow thermodynamic window, where even small deviations can result in the formation of multi walled nanotubes, amorphous carbon, or catalyst residues instead of the desired single walled structures.

He identified three major constraints that hindered industry scale production. The first was substrate based chemical vapour deposition, the dominant laboratory method, which operates as a batch process involving loading, reaction, harvesting, and repetition. He noted that harvesting can damage nanotubes and introduce contamination, making large scale economics challenging. The second limitation was the low yield associated with cleaner alternatives such as arc discharge and laser ablation, which largely confined them to laboratory use. The third issue was purification, which was historically treated as a downstream step rather than being integrated into process design.

Reddy explained that the situation has changed due to both increasing market demand and advancements in manufacturing processes. Demand from gigafactory scale battery production, sub 3 nanometre semiconductor technologies, and environmental filtration requirements has created sustained commercial interest. At the same time, the HiPCO process has evolved into a continuous gas phase manufacturing route with purification integrated into production design.

He noted that approximately fifteen years of reactor development at NoPo has increased output by around 300 times compared to the company's initial configuration while maintaining production consistency over extended periods.

TechGraph: How does your proprietary HiPCO process differentiate itself from conventional nanotube manufacturing methods in terms of measurable advantages?
Gadhadar Reddy:

Reddy explained that HiPCO is one of four principal methods used for SWCNT synthesis, alongside arc discharge, laser ablation, and substrate based chemical vapour deposition. He noted that the distinctions between these methods are structural rather than incremental.

According to Reddy, the HiPCO process uses carbon monoxide gas at pressures of 30 to 50 atmospheres and temperatures ranging from 900°C to 1100°C. Under these conditions, Boudouard disproportionation occurs over iron catalyst clusters generated in situ through the decomposition of iron pentacarbonyl.

He highlighted three engineering advantages of the process. First, it operates as a fully continuous gas phase system without substrates, batch loading, or harvesting steps. This allows scaling to be addressed primarily through reactor engineering while maintaining material consistency over time, an important factor for customers transitioning from research and development to commercial production.

Second, carbon monoxide serves as a single carbon source. Unlike hydrocarbon based chemical vapour deposition methods, which generate amorphous carbon requiring removal through downstream processing, the HiPCO process reduces the need for extensive cleanup that could damage nanotubes.

Third, the thermodynamic conditions of the HiPCO process naturally favour nanotubes with smaller diameters, typically between 0.6 and 1.2 nanometres, and a relatively narrow chirality distribution. Reddy stated that smaller diameters contribute to higher conductivity, which is particularly relevant for battery applications and electromagnetic interference and electrostatic discharge shielding.

TechGraph: In materials like SWCNTs, performance is not just a function of purity but also of how precisely structural characteristics such as chirality, diameter, and dispersion are controlled. When moving from lab scale precision to industrial scale manufacturing, where do these variables typically become difficult to manage, and how do you approach maintaining that level of consistency?
Gadhadar Reddy:

Reddy explained that diameter distribution, chirality, and dispersion present different challenges and require separate approaches.

He stated that diameter distribution is determined during synthesis by catalyst nanoparticle size and local thermodynamic conditions, which depend on controlling pressure, temperature gradients, carbon monoxide flow, and iron pentacarbonyl feed rates. At industrial scale, maintaining these conditions becomes more challenging because larger reactor volumes create longer temperature gradients and more complex flow dynamics. He noted that NoPo's reactor has been developed in house, with more than 90 percent of its components sourced from within India, and that its geometry has been refined over fifteen years to maintain a narrow diameter distribution.

Regarding chirality, Reddy described it as the industry's most difficult unresolved challenge at production scale. SWCNTs produced in reactors typically contain a mixture of chiralities, whereas semiconductor applications require single chirality material because electronic properties depend on chirality. He explained that current approaches such as density gradient ultracentrifugation and selective polymer wrapping remain laboratory scale techniques. While NoPo has demonstrated single chirality material at laboratory scale and is working toward larger scale production, he stated that the company does not currently offer industrial scale single chirality supply.

Dispersion, according to Reddy, is primarily a downstream challenge. Strong van der Waals forces cause produced nanotubes to form tightly bundled structures that are difficult to integrate into liquids and composite materials. He noted that application specific engineering involving surface functionalisation, surfactants, and polymer wrapped derivatives is necessary to make SWCNTs suitable for use in slurries, inks, and composites.

TechGraph: In sectors such as batteries and energy storage, performance improvements are often incremental and highly optimised over time. Within that context, where do SWCNTs deliver a clear and meaningful advantage over existing materials, and where do they still struggle to justify widespread adoption?
Gadhadar Reddy:

Reddy stated that SWCNTs offer the greatest value in applications where alternative materials result in mechanical failure rather than modest performance reductions.

He identified silicon rich battery anodes as a key example. Silicon can store approximately ten times more lithium per unit mass than graphite, but it undergoes around 300 percent volume expansion during lithiation and contracts during discharge. Conventional carbon black additives often lose electrical contact with active materials after repeated cycling, leading to cell degradation. In contrast, SWCNTs form flexible conductive networks capable of accommodating volume changes while maintaining electrical connectivity.

According to Reddy, studies have reported cycle life improvements of approximately four times in silicon rich anodes using SWCNT conductive additives at concentrations below 0.1 weight percent compared with conventional alternatives.

He also pointed to solid state battery interfaces, where active particles move during cycling while the surrounding matrix remains rigid. In such cases, SWCNTs can maintain connectivity across moving interfaces more effectively than point contact conductive additives. Similar advantages may also apply to lithium sulfur battery systems.

Regarding broader adoption, Reddy noted that battery technology development and qualification cycles are lengthy. He stated that silicon anodes incorporating SWCNTs are already being used commercially in electric vehicle and other battery applications and suggested that wider market penetration is likely to increase over time.

TechGraph: Globally, advanced materials manufacturing remains concentrated among a small group of players with deep research and capital backing. From your perspective, what does it take for an India based company like NoPo Nanotechnologies to compete at that level, both in terms of technical credibility and commercial trust?
Gadhadar Reddy:

Reddy stated that technical credibility in advanced materials manufacturing depends on measurable outcomes, including published characterisation data validated through third party measurements, qualification by technically demanding customers, and patents that successfully withstand prior art examination.

He noted that NoPo has invested approximately fifteen years in HiPCO process development and has filed five patents covering synthesis, purification, and functionalisation technologies. He also stated that the company's materials have been qualified by ISRO for space grade applications and that NoPo holds ISO 9001 certification.

On the commercial side, Reddy explained that global customers typically evaluate suppliers based on three criteria: material performance relative to incumbent products, supply chain resilience and transparency, and the supplier's ability to fulfil long term commitments.

He stated that internal characterisation work has shown parity or performance advantages in conductivity, which he attributed to smaller nanotube diameters. He also noted that approximately 90 percent of reactor components and all feedstock materials are sourced within India. According to Reddy, the company's 2024 pre Series A funding round of USD 3 million, backed by Axilor's Micelio Fund and Inflexor Ventures, supports capacity expansion efforts intended to meet future offtake commitments.

TechGraph: As demand grows across electronics, energy systems, and mobility, materials are increasingly becoming a source of competitive advantage rather than just a component. Where do you see SWCNTs becoming indispensable in the near future rather than remaining an optional performance enhancer?
Gadhadar Reddy:

Reddy stated that a material becomes indispensable when its absence prevents an application from functioning rather than merely reducing performance.

He identified silicon rich battery anodes as a prominent example, noting that the transition from graphite to silicon graphite composite anodes, a key component of many next generation electric vehicle battery roadmaps, depends on conductive networks capable of withstanding significant volume changes. According to him, SWCNTs currently provide this functionality at loadings below 0.1 weight percent.

Reddy also highlighted electromagnetic interference shielding and electrostatic discharge applications. He stated that SWCNTs offer advantages in composite materials, flooring systems, coatings, and related applications where traditional materials such as steel and copper introduce challenges associated with weight, installation costs, maintenance requirements, and dependence on higher emission metal production.

TechGraph: Looking ahead, as the category continues to evolve, do you see the next phase of growth being driven more by breakthroughs in new applications, or by the ability to industrialise production in a way that makes SWCNTs more accessible at scale?
Gadhadar Reddy:

Reddy stated that the next phase of industry growth is likely to be driven initially by the industrialisation of production rather than by entirely new applications.

He explained that applications such as silicon anodes, cathode conductive additives, electrostatic discharge composites, solid state battery components, conductive coatings, and conductive inks already exist but remain constrained by inconsistent supply, variable specifications, and limited production sources. According to him, as additional producers including NoPo achieve ton scale production capacity, these applications are expected to move beyond qualification stages and into broader commercial deployment

Over a longer time horizon of ten to twenty years, Reddy believes growth could be driven by new applications enabled by a more mature supply base. Potential examples include single chirality SWCNT transistors for semiconductor manufacturing, SWCNT reinforced thermal protection systems for hypersonic vehicles, SWCNT membranes for municipal scale water filtration, and quantum sensor materials.

He noted that while these applications are technically feasible, their commercial development depends on the availability of industrial scale SWCNT supply infrastructure that has yet to be fully established.

French deep tech company Grapheal has secured a €2.5m grant through the latest European Innovation Council (EIC) Accelerator programme to advance its next generation PFAS monitoring technology.

The funding will support the development and commercialisation of PFAST, a portable graphene based sensing platform designed to detect harmful PFAS contaminants in water within minutes.

The grant comes as European regulators introduce stricter controls on per and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), commonly known as “forever chemicals.”

New requirements under the EU Drinking Water Directive are placing greater pressure on water utilities to conduct more frequent testing and demonstrate compliance with tighter contamination limits.

The funding is expected to support the accelerated development and deployment of Grapheal’s field ready sensor system, enabling water treatment operators to carry out real time PFAS monitoring without relying on laboratory analysis, which can take weeks to provide results.

Rising demand for faster PFAS monitoring

PFAS represent a group of approximately 12,000 synthetic chemicals used across a broad range of industrial, consumer and technological applications.

Due to their extreme persistence in the environment, these substances have contributed to widespread contamination across Europe, with studies identifying thousands of affected sites.

Health authorities and environmental organisations have associated PFAS exposure with a variety of serious concerns, including long term health risks, ecosystem degradation and rising public healthcare costs.

In response, regulators are calling for more comprehensive monitoring strategies that can identify contamination earlier and enable faster intervention.

However, the current industry standard testing method, liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (LC MS/MS), remains heavily dependent on specialised laboratory facilities.

Although highly accurate, the process often introduces delays that can limit timely decision making for water treatment operators.

Bringing PFAS detection to the point of need

Grapheal’s PFAST platform has been developed to shift PFAS monitoring from laboratory settings directly to the field.

The compact system incorporates a miniature electronic sensor approximately the size of a credit card, enabling operators to analyse water samples on site and obtain results in near real time.

In addition to supporting regulatory compliance, the technology is intended to reduce operational costs by enabling continuous monitoring of filtration systems and water treatment processes.

Vincent Bouchiat, CEO of Grapheal, added: “Regulatory pressure is accelerating adoption of portable rapid detection sensors for PFAS, and we have already received strong interest for this technology from Europe’s largest water utilities.

“This EIC award, widely recognised as a mark of excellence, will allow us to refine PFAST and further improve its capabilities.

“We are now looking for partners to support the industrialisation of this solution and expand manufacturing capabilities ahead of our anticipated market launch in 2027.”

Decade of graphene innovation

The PFAST platform is based on more than a decade of graphene research and is protected by eight patent families covering more than 50 patents.

According to Grapheal, the technology takes advantage of graphene’s ultra thin structure, strong electrical performance and adaptable surface chemistry to generate reliable signals, even in complex water environments.

The company states that PFAST can achieve sensitivity levels up to ten times higher than existing field deployable alternatives.

The graphene based approach is also said to offer sustainability benefits. Its production and integration processes generate significantly lower carbon emissions than comparable silicon based technologies and do not depend on critical raw materials.

As regulatory oversight of PFAS contamination increases and demand for rapid monitoring solutions continues to grow, the latest EIC funding is expected to support Grapheal’s efforts to expand the deployment of its technology and contribute to the future of water quality management across Europe.

Bitchin' Rides, a television series focused on custom built vehicles, aired on Discovery and Motor Trend from 2014 to 2025. Due to the title's potential misunderstanding in international markets, where the American slang term "bitchin'" meaning cool or excellent could be interpreted differently, the show was broadcast in Europe and Australia under the name Kindig Customs. The alternative title reflected the work of custom car builder Dave Kindig and his company, Kindig it Design, based in Salt Lake City, Utah.

In an exclusive interview with PlasticsToday, Dave Kindig, president, owner, and designer at Kindig it Design, discussed the increasingly important role of 3D printing in the company's custom vehicle projects.

Humble origins

"We had humble beginnings in all honesty," recalls Kindig. "I had a borrowed body shop hammer, a dolly, and a wooden bench that I used to shape metal and fix it together with a borrowed welder. That was 1999, and it was pretty much heavy metal bashing back then."

Over the years, the company expanded its manufacturing capabilities and adopted additive manufacturing technologies. Kindig noted that the company has worked with Stratasys for approximately a decade and had previously accessed a small 3D printer through industry contacts.

"What really accelerated our 3D printing adoption was the transition to CNC machines," says Kindig. "This enabled us to fabricate, for example, custom made 'soft' clamping jaws from Stratasys FDM Nylon 12CF to help hold complicated shapes during machining."

According to Stratasys, its current efforts are focused on simplifying and accelerating software workflows, enabling users to automatically design a wide range of components, fixtures, and manufacturing aids.

Class A finishing

Kindig it Design currently operates two filament based Stratasys systems, an F370 and a 450mc, and utilizes several polymer materials. Carbon fiber reinforced polyamide is frequently used for applications such as headlight and taillight assemblies.

"This material can be smoothed over and prepped and painted, and we've also done vapor deposition chroming with it," Kindig says.

The company's CF1 Roadster, inspired by the 1953 Corvette, serves as its primary production vehicle, with 33 units sold to date. Described by Kindig as being built from carbon fiber and attitude, the vehicle incorporates 3D printed glove boxes, dashboard components, and numerous other production parts. Materials including ASA, ABS, polyamide, and Ultem (polyetherimide) are used depending on performance requirements. Heat resistant applications such as engine covers often utilize Ultem, while the printed components can also be drilled and tapped when needed.

Surrogate parts and tooling

The company sources engines from Australia, but supply chain disruptions during the COVID pandemic affected the development schedule of a hand fabricated all aluminum vehicle. To avoid significant delays, Kindig worked with Stratasys to produce a full scale 3D printed V12 engine as a surrogate component.

"This allowed us to continue development of other parts such as engine mounts and validate the design until the actual engine arrived 18 months late."

The same surrogate part strategy was applied during the restoration of a Ferrari 288 GTO. Extended control arms were first produced through 3D printing to verify fit and geometry before investing in CNC machining of the final aluminum components. ABS was typically selected for such applications because heat resistance was not a requirement.

Kindig noted that major automotive manufacturers employ similar methods when preparing assembly lines for new vehicle launches.

"They'll fabricate surrogate parts and use them to get their racks built, their robots trained, and their assemblers trained," notes Kindig.

In addition to end use parts, surrogate components, jigs, and fixtures, the company also uses additive manufacturing for investment casting patterns. One example involved the use of a Stratasys SLA stereolithography Somos resin to create a pattern for casting metal exhaust manifolds. This work was carried out at the Stratasys headquarters facility. The company also produces tools for carbon fiber layup using 3D printing technologies.

A partially electric future?

Although Kindig it Design has traditionally focused on muscle cars and supercars, the company is also exploring vehicle electrification. It is collaborating with two partners, Legacy EV of Gilbert, Arizona, and Hypercraft of Provo, Utah, to develop custom electric vehicle projects.

"Previous attempts have been restricted by issues with batteries, but with Legacy EV now building new batteries to our specification, we will get it right this time," says Kindig.

Kindig indicated that the first electric vehicle project is intended for personal use rather than immediate commercial production.

"I'm not going to sell this EV once it's built," adds Kindig. "It will go in my collection, and only once it's proven will I consider selling EVs."

When asked whether the vehicle could become his favorite build, Kindig replied:

"Well technically yes. I operate on the principle that my last build is always my favorite build, so it could rank up there, at least until my next car comes along."

The push for greater battery material independence in Europe is increasingly focusing on battery recycling as a means of securing critical raw materials and reducing environmental impacts.

On June 2, battery materials company Vianode and German recycling company Cylib signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to collaborate on the development of recycled graphite for high performance battery anodes.

The agreement outlines a partnership under which Cylib will supply high quality graphite concentrate recovered through its proprietary recycling process, while Vianode will evaluate and validate the material for use in anode production.

“Closing the loop on battery materials is essential for building a truly sustainable battery value chain,” said Burkhard Straube, CEO of Vianode.

“By collaborating with Cylib on the integration of recycled graphite into advanced anode materials, we aim to strengthen circularity for battery graphite, reduce reliance on virgin raw materials, and support the EU’s ambitions for a more resilient, low carbon battery ecosystem,” Straube added in the press release.

Recycled graphite supply chain

Graphite plays a critical role in lithium ion battery anodes because its crystalline structure allows for efficient storage and release of lithium ions.

High performance batteries require either highly purified natural graphite or engineered synthetic graphite to improve electrical conductivity, increase durability, and support rapid charging capabilities.

Demand for graphite has continued to grow alongside the expansion of electric vehicles and other advanced technologies. As a result, the battery industry is placing greater emphasis on sourcing high performance graphite that meets both performance requirements and environmental standards. This trend is encouraging investment in localized production and advanced recycling technologies.

Europe currently remains heavily dependent on imported virgin graphite, a critical mineral largely supplied by markets outside the European Union.

Through the planned integration of Cylib’s recycling technology into Vianode’s anode manufacturing process, the companies aim to convert end of life battery materials into high performance battery components.

If successfully implemented, the approach could establish a closed loop domestic supply chain that reduces carbon emissions while strengthening Europe's access to critical battery materials.

Slashing emissions

The process begins with Cylib recovering high quality graphite concentrate from spent batteries using its water based OLiC (Optimized Lithium and Graphite Recovery) technology.

According to the press release, the technology achieves a recovery rate of approximately 90 percent for key materials including lithium, graphite, nickel, cobalt, and manganese. The process is also reported to reduce carbon emissions by 80 percent compared with conventional mining methods.

The recovered graphite will then be tested by Vianode at its pilot facilities and incorporated into formulations for next generation synthetic anodes.

Vianode states that its synthetic graphite currently has a carbon footprint that is 90 percent lower than conventional industry materials. Incorporating recycled graphite could help the company advance toward its 2030 target of limiting emissions to 1.0 kilogram of CO₂ equivalent per kilogram of graphite produced.

Should pilot projects demonstrate commercial viability, the companies plan to negotiate a binding commercial supply agreement.

The partnership aligns with broader European Union efforts to reduce manufacturing emissions and increase the use of locally sourced materials within the battery supply chain. The initiative highlights how recycling and domestic material recovery could contribute to meeting these objectives while maintaining battery performance standards.

Anhui Yitan Technology Co., Ltd. has completed the topping out of the main structure for its facility, which is designed to produce 1 million high tech carbon fiber products annually, according to information released by Hefei High tech Release and reported by Gasgoo. Final completion and acceptance inspections are scheduled for the end of August

The facility is located at the northeast intersection of Mingzhu Avenue and Dalongshan Road in the High tech Zone. The project represents a total investment of approximately 320 million yuan and covers around 22.03 mu, with a total gross floor area of about 31,700 square meters. Construction commenced on October 25, 2025, and the main structure was completed in less than seven months. Upon reaching full operational capacity, the plant is expected to generate annual revenue of more than 300 million yuan.

The project is dedicated to the research, development, production, and application of high performance carbon fiber fabrics and prepregs. These materials are intended for use in a range of industries, including civil aviation, automotive lightweighting, wind power generation, medical equipment, construction, and sports and leisure products.

As an important component of the carbon fiber composites supply chain, the facility is expected to address key gaps in the regional new materials sector. The project is also anticipated to support the development of a more integrated industrial ecosystem by encouraging collaboration and growth among upstream and downstream enterprises.

Total Graphite has revised the definitive feasibility study for its Montepuez graphite project in Mozambique to support plans for a graphite processing facility in the United States.

Mozambique recently introduced regulations prohibiting the export of raw and semi processed minerals unless mining companies commit to local refining activities.

The policy change could impact both existing and planned graphite developments, including the Montepuez project, despite growing demand for battery materials in the United States.

British company Total Graphite, formerly known as Tirupati Graphite, announced on June 8 that it had completed an updated definitive feasibility study for the Montepuez project in Mozambique. The update is part of a broader initiative aimed at supplying graphite from the proposed mine to a future processing facility in the United States.

The project is expected to strengthen the existing graphite supply chain between Mozambique and the United States, which is currently centered around the Balama mine, a key supplier of graphite materials to the American market.

Australian mining company Syrah Resources operates the Balama mine, the largest graphite operation in Mozambique, and has received financial backing from the U.S. government. The company has increasingly directed graphite production from Balama to support its battery anode manufacturing facility in Vidalia, Louisiana.

Total Graphite plans to follow a similar approach by establishing a vertically integrated supply chain that connects the Montepuez mine with a purified spherical graphite plant for battery anodes currently under development in the United States.

The revised feasibility study is intended to optimize project parameters in Mozambique while ensuring production aligns with the requirements of the downstream processing facility. Current estimates indicate that Montepuez could produce up to 100,000 metric tons of graphite per year.

An attractive U.S. market, but…

The emphasis on the U.S. market reflects the country's growing role as a major hub for battery material production. While the Balama mine has supplied this market for several years, the Montepuez project highlights an increasing trend toward developing graphite supply chains focused on the United States.

Graphite remains an essential mineral for battery production, particularly for electric vehicles. However, China continues to dominate both graphite mining and refining activities worldwide. As a result, manufacturers in the United States are seeking alternative supply sources from countries such as Mozambique to reduce dependence on Chinese production.

“Given the continued strong growth in demand for anode materials driven by energy storage and the energy transition, combining the fully permitted and advanced stage Montepuez graphite mine in Mozambique with a potential PSG anode facility in the United States represents a compelling strategy for Total Graphite,” Total Graphite Chief Executive Arun Somani said in May.

“This strategy aims to develop a fully vertically integrated business across the entire graphite value chain,” he added.

Despite these plans, recent regulatory developments in Mozambique have introduced additional uncertainty. Companies may face challenges implementing export focused strategies if mineral processing is not carried out domestically before shipment.

Under a presidential decree announced last week, the Mozambican government prohibited exports of raw and semi processed mineral products unless companies secure authorization supported by a local refining plan.

The decree does not clarify whether existing operations such as the Balama mine are subject to the new requirements. However, any enforcement of the regulations could influence the development path of projects that are currently being planned or constructed, including Montepuez.

As a result, investors are expected to closely follow Total Graphite's next steps as the company explores various financing options to fund its planned investments. The company has also stated that it is reviewing its broader portfolio of assets, including the Vatomina graphite mine in Madagascar, as part of an ongoing strategic evaluation.

At the same time, market conditions remain difficult for graphite producers. Continued oversupply, largely attributed to production from China, has placed downward pressure on graphite prices and created additional challenges for project economics.

For the very first time, Canadian startup Fibernx has successfully produced carbonised carbon fibre from asphaltene based raw materials through a continuous process using a continuous carbonisation line.

Fibernx, a company focused on converting bitumen waste into high quality carbon fibre and carbon nanofibres, achieved continuous production of carbonised carbon fibre from asphaltene based feedstock using a continuous carbonisation line. According to the company, this is the first time such a process has been demonstrated. The approach is expected to offer significant cost, environmental, and sustainability advantages compared with conventional PAN based carbon fibre manufacturing. Fibernx states that its technology produces 68% fewer emissions than traditional PAN carbon fibre production.

The continuous production of carbonised carbon fibre from asphaltene based feedstocks marks an important milestone in the company's efforts to develop commercial scale, low cost carbon fibre manufacturing. Based in Vancouver, Fibernx aims to establish a new carbon fibre industry in Canada, strengthen advanced manufacturing capabilities, and improve the affordability and accessibility of carbon fibre for industries worldwide.

The startup, supported by InnoTech Alberta, Alberta Innovates, Emissions Reduction Alberta, and University of British Columbia, has also announced the launch of a seed funding round. The funding will be used to support construction of its first demonstration plant and accelerate commercialization efforts.

A research team from the Korea Institute of Materials Science (KIMS) and the Korea Electrotechnology Research Institute (KERI) has developed rapid-charging, long-life dry electrode technology for electric vehicles by redesigning graphite particles into spherical shapes without using PTFE, which shortens battery life and is subject to environmental regulations.

A Korean research team has developed a technology for producing high performance dry electrodes without the use of PTFE, a commonly used adhesive material that can negatively affect battery lifespan and is increasingly subject to environmental regulations. The advancement is expected to improve the driving range of electric vehicles and enable faster charging. It is also being recognized for its potential to support the commercialization of environmentally sustainable battery manufacturing processes.

The Korea Institute of Materials Science (KIMS) announced on June 9 that a research team led by Senior Researcher Jihee Yoon, in collaboration with a team led by Senior Researcher Inseong Hwang at the Korea Electrotechnology Research Institute (KERI), developed Korea’s first shape controlled graphite granule based dry electrode manufacturing technology. The technology enables the production of high performance dry electrodes without relying on polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE). The findings were published online in the international journal Energy Storage Materials on April 21.

Dry Electrode Technology

Dry electrode technology produces electrodes by compressing powder materials without the use of liquid solvents. The approach is gaining attention as a next generation battery manufacturing process because it has the potential to lower production costs while reducing carbon emissions associated with batteries used in electric vehicles and energy storage systems (ESS).

Most existing dry electrode manufacturing methods rely on PTFE as a binder. However, PTFE can interact with lithium ions during repeated charging and discharging cycles, leading to reductions in battery capacity and operational lifespan. PTFE is also classified as part of the per and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) group, which faces increasingly strict regulations, particularly in Europe. These factors have been viewed as major barriers to the widespread commercialization of dry electrode technologies.

Conceptual diagram of the shape-controlled graphite granule-based dry electrode developed without PTFE.

PTFE Free Electrode Design

To address these challenges, the research team applied a CMC–SBR binder system that is already widely used in commercial lithium ion battery anodes. In this system, CMC (carboxymethyl cellulose) helps disperse and stabilize materials uniformly, while SBR (styrene butadiene rubber) improves adhesion and flexibility. By combining this binder system with a newly designed graphite particle structure, the researchers successfully developed a high performance anode without the use of PTFE.

Shape Controlled Graphite Granules

A central aspect of the technology involved transforming flat graphite particles into spherical granules. The team employed a spray drying process, which converts a liquid mixture into fine droplets and dries them rapidly. Using this method, graphite, conductive additives, and binder materials were combined into spherical graphite granules.

The resulting spherical structure creates more uniform pathways for lithium ion movement within the battery cell. This design addresses a common limitation of conventional dry electrodes, where charging and discharging performance tends to decline as electrode thickness increases.

Performance Evaluation

Experimental results demonstrated that the newly developed dry anode delivered better fast charging performance and greater cycling stability than conventional anodes. The material also exhibited improved lithium ion diffusion characteristics under high energy density conditions, highlighting its potential for use in high capacity batteries based on thick electrode designs.

Commercialization Potential

Because the CMC–SBR binder system is already established in commercial battery manufacturing, the technology can be integrated more easily into large scale production lines. The process is suitable for applications in electric vehicles and energy storage systems.

In addition, the dry processing method minimizes the need for solvents and reduces drying requirements, offering opportunities to lower manufacturing costs and decrease carbon emissions during battery production.

Senior Researcher Jihee Yoon said, “This is a new approach that overcomes the limitations of conventional PTFE-based dry electrode processes,” adding, “We expect it to be used in next-generation electric vehicle batteries that demand both high energy density and fast-charging performance.”

Reproduced with Permission from Composites World.

Cambium (El Segundo, Calif., U.S.) presents ApexShield 3000, a high-temperature phthalonitrile coating engineered for metallic and composite substrates operating in extreme thermal environments. The coating supports applications from hypersonic flight to electromagnetic interference (EMI) and radio frequency (RF) shielding for electronics and commercial programs requiring wavelength-tunable performance.

ApexShield 3000 is a sprayable, solvent-based, one-part liquid that cures at temperatures as low as 215°C and delivers sustained operational performance up to 315°C, with short-duration capability up to 427°C. The system requires no refrigerated storage and is available in quarts, gallons and drums, supporting both prototype development and production-scale programs.

The coating accepts conductive and nonconductive fillers, enabling engineers to customize performance characteristics for specific program requirements. Technical data sheets are available at cambiumglobal.com.

According to Cambium, its differentiation is not any single class of advanced materials but a distinctive development approach — offering customers every aspect of molecular discovery, product development, certification and qualification, and rapid scalable manufacturing across the U.S. and Europe, all under one roof.

“ApexShield 3000 gives engineers a practical, high-performance solution for protecting structures that operate in environments where standard coatings fail,” says Cambium CTO, James Griffin. “The combination of sprayable application, room temperature storage and validated high-temperature performance makes this a deployable tool for defense and aerospace manufacturers working under real production constraints."

ApexShield 3000 builds on Cambium’s growing portfolio of phthalonitrile-based materials, including the ApexShield 1000 resin system, which reduced carbon-carbon (C/C) parts fabrication cycles by 70-80% for hypersonic applications.

See original article here.

Ammonia (NH3) is a critical chemical feedstock used in fertilizers, pharmaceuticals, and emerging carbon neutral energy systems. Conventional NH3 production through the Haber Bosch process requires severe operating conditions and is associated with significant energy consumption and carbon dioxide emissions. These limitations have encouraged the development of more sustainable approaches for ammonia synthesis.

The electrochemical nitrate reduction reaction (NO3 RR), powered by renewable electricity, offers a promising method for simultaneously removing nitrate contaminants and producing value added NH3. However, the overall efficiency of NO3 RR remains limited by slow multistep electron and proton transfer processes, competition from the hydrogen evolution reaction, and an incomplete understanding of the dynamic interactions between catalytic active sites during operation.

In a study published in the journal PNAS, a research team led by Han Lili from the Fujian Institute of Research on the Structure of Matter developed an inside out engineered CuOx@CNT/Ru catalyst using a combined chemical oxidation and thermal reduction approach for efficient electrochemical conversion of nitrate into NH3.

The CuOx@CNT/Ru catalyst consists of amorphous copper oxide (CuOx) nanowires confined within carbon nanotubes (CNTs), while ultrasmall ruthenium (Ru) nanoparticles are anchored to the outer surface of the CNTs. Microscopic and spectroscopic analyses confirmed the spatial separation of CuOx and Ru active sites and revealed strong electronic interactions between the two components.

When evaluated in an alkaline electrolyte, the CuOx@CNT/Ru catalyst demonstrated strong NO3 RR performance. It achieved an NH3 Faradaic efficiency of 99.1 ± 0.9% at 0 V reversible hydrogen electrode, an energy efficiency of 43.5%, and a maximum NH3 yield rate of 146.37 mg h⁻¹ mgcat⁻¹ at 0.7 V. The catalyst also maintained stable ammonia production during repeated cycling and extended electrolysis tests, indicating both high catalytic activity and long term durability.

A combination of in situ attenuated total reflectance surface enhanced infrared absorption spectroscopy, online differential electrochemical mass spectrometry, in situ X ray absorption spectroscopy, quasi in situ electron paramagnetic resonance, and density functional theory calculations was used to investigate the catalytic mechanism. The results showed that Ru sites function as the primary centers for nitrate adsorption and hydrogenation. High valence CuOx was found to stabilize and activate the Ru sites, promote the initial conversion of *NO3 to *NO2, and facilitate water dissociation to generate active hydrogen species.

The catalyst was also evaluated as the cathode material in a Zn NO3 battery. The system delivered an open circuit voltage of 1.64 V and a maximum power density of 22.6 mW cm⁻². During a 12 hour discharge test, the battery maintained an NH3 Faradaic efficiency of 95.6%, demonstrating the potential of the catalyst for integrating nitrate removal, ammonia production, and electricity generation within a single system.

The study demonstrates the effectiveness of an inside out catalyst design strategy for controlling synergistic interactions between active sites in electrochemical nitrogen conversion. The findings provide insights into the stabilization of Ru based catalysts, enhancement of nitrate activation, suppression of undesired side reactions, and advancement of sustainable electrochemical NH3 synthesis technologies.

Researchers at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) have developed a catheter based nanosensor capable of detecting recurrent bladder cancer at an earlier stage by identifying a tumor associated biomarker directly within the bladder. Detailed in Nature Nanotechnology, the technology combines carbon nanotube sensors with a rotating optical imaging device to create a three dimensional chemical imaging platform that can locate cancer related biomarkers within tissue.

“It’s like a camera for molecules instead of light,” said Michael Strano, PhD, professor of chemical engineering at MIT and senior author of the study. “If you have a billion nanosensors in an array, you can use them to make a chemical image that helps you locate their source.”

Approximately 85,000 people in the United States are diagnosed with bladder cancer each year, and more than half experience recurrence within five years. The disease is also associated with some of the highest lifetime treatment costs because of the need for continuous monitoring and surveillance.

The newly developed method addresses a key limitation in current approaches for detecting bladder cancer recurrence. Existing monitoring methods rely largely on urinalysis to identify signs of returning cancer. However, biomarkers released by recurrent tumors are often diluted, degraded, or rapidly cleared from the body before they can be effectively detected in urine.

To overcome these challenges, the researchers focused on matrix protein 22 (NMP 22), an FDA approved biomarker for bladder cancer. Although NMP 22 can be measured in urine, the limitations of urine based testing frequently result in cancer being identified only after it has progressed to a more advanced stage.

The research team therefore developed a sensor designed to operate directly inside the bladder. The device consists of a urinary catheter coated with specialized nanosensors capable of detecting NMP 22. A miniature rotating ball lens integrated into the catheter tip emits laser light and collects fluorescent signals produced by the nanotubes when they interact with the target biomarker.

Over the past decade, Strano’s laboratory has worked extensively on carbon nanotube based sensors designed to identify specific molecules. Different polymer coatings are applied to the nanotubes to function as synthetic antibodies, enabling selective binding to disease related biomarkers. Previous research from the laboratory has produced sensors capable of detecting molecules including hydrogen peroxide, riboflavin, and viral proteins.

For the bladder cancer application, the researchers engineered a phospholipid containing synthetic polymer that selectively recognizes NMP 22. The work was partly inspired by earlier computational modeling conducted by the team, which indicated that positioning sensors close to an emerging bladder tumor could result in “a more than 50,000 fold increase in detection limit by minimizing biomarker dilution and degradation.” This finding highlighted the potential advantages of measuring biomarkers directly at their source rather than after they enter the urine.

During experimental testing, the platform demonstrated a 182 fold signal enhancement compared with conventional biofluid sampling. The researchers initially evaluated the nanosensors using six bladder cancer cell lines and healthy fibroblast cells, observing distinct sensor responses associated with cancer cell apoptosis. The team also used the chemotherapy drug gemcitabine to induce cancer cell death in vitro and monitored the subsequent release of biomarkers. Analysis using siRNA confirmed that NMP 22 was a major contributor to the detected signals.

The platform was further evaluated in porcine bladder models using catheters coated with the engineered nanotubes. Through the rotating ball lens system, researchers generated chemical maps that identified the locations of biomarker sources and demonstrated detection capabilities at distances of up to two centimeters from the source. The system also achieved a simulated tumor resolution of 16 square millimeters.

A notable feature of the technology is its chemical imaging capability, which may provide clinically valuable information for the treatment of recurrent cancer.

“If you are scanning over a region of tissue, you would like to know not just that there is a signal indicating that a tumor is there, but also its location so that you can treat it or perform a biopsy,” Strano said. “Before an early stage tumor breaks through the urothelium so that it’s visible, it’s under the surface but still emitting chemical signals that can be imaged.”

Although the study focused on bladder cancer, the researchers noted that the platform could have broader applications. By replacing the nanosensors with versions designed to detect different biomarkers, the technology could potentially be adapted for other forms of cancer as well as diseases affecting the cardiovascular and gastrointestinal systems.

“The beauty of polymer chemistry is that if we understand the molecular structures of target biomarkers and the design principles of binding sites, we can develop new sensors tailored to different diseases,” said lead author Wonjun Yim, PhD.

Future development efforts will focus on expanding the range of detectable analytes, creating multiplexed sensor arrays, conducting omics based biomarker validation studies, and advancing the platform’s optical engineering capabilities. Additional goals include further miniaturization of the imaging system and integration of the technology into cystoscopes currently used in clinical settings.

Florida State University researchers have contributed to the discovery of unusual superconducting states in rhombohedral graphene, a finding that could advance understanding of quantum materials and support the development of future quantum technologies.

Assistant Professor of Physics Cyprian Lewandowski and postdoctoral researcher Phong Võ Tiến participated in an international collaboration that investigated superconductivity and topology in rhombohedral graphene, a material consisting of a few layers of carbon atoms arranged in a chiral stacking pattern resembling staircase steps. The findings were published in Nature Physics.

"The rhombohedral graphene system seems to capture many of the intriguing electronic phenomena that scientists have seen previously in other atomically thin systems, but they were previously not as ideal for technical applications because of the intrinsic complexity of the devices or replicability issues," Lewandowski said.

"In physics, once we identify a generic phenomenon, we try to distill it to its essential form to understand the underlying mechanism. This rhombohedral system allows us to do that.

"We've identified the natural occurrence of this effect and can build upon and optimize it to achieve properties only before seen in more complicated systems."

Rhombohedral graphene flakes can be isolated from naturally occurring graphite crystals. In this structure, low energy electrons are concentrated almost entirely on specific atoms located on the top and bottom surfaces, while very little charge is present within the bulk of the material.

This concentration of electrons on the outer surfaces gives rise to collective quantum behavior. Because the charges strongly repel one another, they must organize themselves in specific ways across the two surfaces, leading to the emergence of novel quantum states.

The researchers found that superconductivity arises directly from this dual surface arrangement. Electron and hole carriers located on opposite surfaces interact to form a superconducting state.

Collaborating on impactful science

The collaboration included experimental teams led by co principal investigators Matthew Yankowitz, associate professor of physics at the University of Washington, and Joshua Folk, professor of physics at the University of British Columbia.

The project combined expertise in material fabrication, device assembly, precision measurements, and theoretical modeling. This multidisciplinary approach enabled the construction of highly optimized electronic devices, the detection of extremely sensitive superconducting states, and the development of a theoretical framework to explain the experimental observations.

"An added complexity of this system is that negative and positive charges coexist," Yankowitz said. "On one surface, the charges are electrons and therefore negatively charged. On the other surface, they behave like particles called holes, which are effectively positive.

"This work is advancing our fundamental understanding of the interplay of strongly correlated and topological phases, which could be an avenue toward the development of future quantum technologies."

In addition to superconductivity, the team observed the quantum anomalous Hall effect, a topological state in which electrical current travels along the edges of a material without resistance.

"Cyprian is applying his brilliant theoretical insights to cutting edge problems in the science of quantum materials," said Mike Shatruk, director of the FSU Initiative in Quantum Science and Engineering.

"If the two phenomena of superconducting behavior and topological states can eventually be made to coexist, theory predicts the appearance of so called Majorana zero modes, which are candidate building blocks for fault tolerant quantum computing; they're inherently protected from local noise and decoherence that destroy quantum information."

Next generation quantum devices

A long term objective of the research is to translate these findings into practical quantum engineering applications, including advanced devices and sensing technologies.

Another notable feature of the material is the presence of two electronically active charge layers separated vertically. Similar structures previously required deliberate fabrication, whereas this arrangement occurs naturally in rhombohedral graphene. The existence of naturally occurring electronic states of this kind may open new directions for both fundamental physics research and technological innovation.

"In the 20th century, scientists gained much of our modern understanding of condensed matter physics and phase transitions by working with helium, and I would argue that rhombohedral graphene may be serving the same purpose here in teaching us about unique crystalline phases of matter," said Lewandowski.

Lewandowski's research makes use of resources provided by the Florida State University Research Computing Center and the National High Magnetic Field Laboratory, which is headquartered at Florida State University.

On June 10, the contributions of physicists Eva Y. Andrei, Pablo Jarillo Herrero, and Allan H. MacDonald were recognized with the biennial Kavli Prize in Nanoscience. Each researcher played a significant role in establishing the field of Twistronics.

Twistronics, a term combining "twist" and "electronics," focuses on the unique electrical properties that emerge when multiple atomically thin layers of a two dimensional material are stacked at specific angles. The phenomenon was first observed in 2009 by researchers in Andrei’s laboratory during experiments involving graphene. The discovery occurred unexpectedly. “We were looking for something totally different,” Andrei says.

Graphene had only recently been identified, and Andrei’s research team was investigating how electrons interact with the material. Early experiments using single layer graphene raised new scientific questions that required additional samples for further study. A collaborator later provided another graphene sample, but it had been grown on nickel rather than copper. According to Andrei, “for some reason she grew it on nickel instead of copper.” She added, “Unbeknownst to us, when you grow it on nickel, you grow twisted, bilayer graphene.”

Using scanning tunneling microscopy to examine the sample, the researchers observed a large moiré pattern, a geometric structure created by the misalignment of the graphene layers. According to Andrei, the team was surprised to discover that the twist angle responsible for the pattern also altered the behavior of electrons within the material (Nature 2010, DOI: 10.1038/nphys1463). The findings demonstrated that the properties of graphene can be tuned by controlling the angle between stacked layers.

The early experimental results inspired MacDonald to develop a mathematical framework to explain the phenomenon. His team eventually determined that the angle between layers of two dimensional materials governs the periodicity of the moiré pattern and that specific “magic twist angles” produce distinct material properties (Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A. 2011, DOI: 10.1073/pnas.1108174108). At approximately 1°, electrons accumulate at the same energy level, creating conditions favorable for superconductivity. Subsequent research by the group showed that other two dimensional materials could exhibit similar properties when twisted (Phys. Rev. Lett. 2019, DOI: 10.1103/PhysRevLett.122.086402).

In 2018, Jarillo Herrero further advanced the field by reporting a twisted graphene material that exhibited superconductivity at 1.7 K, a temperature considered extremely low for everyday conditions but relatively high in the context of superconductivity research (Nature 2018, DOI: 10.1038/nature26160).

In the Kavli Prize press release, Mari Ann Einarsrud, Chair of the 2026 Kavli Prize Committee in Nanoscience, stated, “Twistronics introduced a new paradigm in nanoscience and opened a powerful new platform for exploring interaction driven quantum materials.”

In addition to the Nanoscience award, four researchers received the Kavli Prize in Neuroscience “for the discovery of local protein translation in neurons and establishing its importance for brain development and plasticity.” The 2026 Kavli Prize in Astrophysics was awarded to three researchers “for uncovering the fossil evidence of past mergers proving that the Milky Way galaxy was built through hierarchical accretion.”

Each recipient will receive a gold medal along with a share of the $1 million honorarium associated with each of the three Kavli Prize categories.

Reproduced with Permission from Composites World

Epsilon Composite (Gaillan en Médoc, France) has surpassed the production of 100,000 carbon fiber tubes using its patented K1 technology. The process was developed to industrially produce large composite tubes that maintain high longitudinal stiffness, optimized weight and precise geometric characteristics. This milestone, says Epsilon, marks an important step within its business activities, comprising a complementary blend of core pultrusion expertise and filament winding.

K1 combines filament winding with the integration of pultruded longitudinal reinforcements. As such, Epsilon is able to produce carbon fiber tubes — up to 800 millimeters in diameter and up to 12 meters in length — featuring high geometric precision and dimensional stability that can be subjected to significant bending or transverse loads (longitudinal modulus values reach up to 400 gigapascals).

Beyond K1, Epsilon Composite offers industrial filament winding capabilities that meet a wide range of technical requirements. The company can support projects requiring very stiff tubes using ultra-high modulus (UHM) carbon fibers, as well as thinner, more specialized or more conventional architectures when the application does not require the integration of pultruded longitudinal reinforcement.

Epsilon’s expertise extends far beyond the manufacturing process itself. It applies to the entire development chain, from initial analysis of customer requirements through to the delivery of finished components ready for integration. The company’s engineering department supports customers in defining composite architectures, selecting fibers and resins, optimizing ply orientations, performing mechanical sizing, conducting numerical simulations, developing prototypes, carrying out qualification testing and managing serial production industrialization.

This approach is necessary to tailor filament-wound structures to the specific constraints of each application, including stiffness, weight, dynamic performance, geometric precision, operating environment and qualification requirements.

The company also performs all critical postprocessing operations required after composite tube manufacturing, including precision machining, grinding with dynamic runout tolerances as low as 5 microns, dynamic balancing, assembly and surface treatments according to application requirements.

The composite tubes produces are particularly well suited for use in the production of technical rollers (film and flexible material conversion, printing, coating and processing industries) and the the yachting sector.

“Epsilon Composite has been recognized for nearly 40 years as a carbon pultrusion specialist, which remains our core business. However, this expertise has expanded to include another composites manufacturing process, filament winding, through a diversification strategy launched in the early 2000s around large-diameter carbon tubes,” says Alexandre Lull, deputy CEO of Epsilon Composite. “Beyond the symbolic milestone of 100,000 K1 tubes, this figure demonstrates industrial maturity and our ability to transform an advanced composite architecture into a fully controlled serial production process, supported by nondestructive testing, finishing operations, repeatability and the quality standards expected by demanding industrial customers.”

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A Rutgers University physicist has received one of science’s highest honors for research that could eventually reshape quantum computing and electronics.

Eva Andrei is the first professor in Rutgers history to receive a Kavli Prize, according to an announcement made by the state university on Wednesday.

Andrei, along with physicists Pablo Jarillo Herrero of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and Allan H. MacDonald of the University of Texas at Austin, will share a $1 million prize for discovering how twisting ultrathin sheets of carbon at precise angles can dramatically alter their electronic properties.

“This recognition reflects the work of every student and postdoc who has passed through our group,” said Andrei, a Rutgers alumna who earned her doctorate at the university and has spent most of her career there.

She added that Rutgers researcher Guohong Li deserved special recognition for being her “scientific partner since the earliest days of our discoveries.”

The Kavli Prize, awarded every two years, honors researchers whose discoveries have significantly advanced the fields of astrophysics, nanoscience, and neuroscience.

The winners will be recognized during a ceremony in September in Oslo, Norway, presided over by the country’s royal family. Since the award was established, 10 Kavli laureates have gone on to receive Nobel Prizes.

Andrei, a distinguished professor and Board of Governors professor in the Department of Physics and Astronomy, is among only 10 scientists worldwide named as 2026 Kavli laureates and is the only researcher from a New Jersey institution to be recognized this year.

The Highland Park resident began her path toward a scientific career at a young age in Romania.

According to Andrei, her brother, who was in high school while she was in kindergarten, often gave her complex puzzles to solve while their parents were at work. Successfully solving them earned praise from him and his friends, motivating her to continue. She later realized that she had effectively taught herself algebra through the process.

“When I was 10, he told me, ‘You’re going to be a physicist,’ before I knew what that word meant,” Andrei said.

A summer spent at a physics camp, where participants worked in real laboratories, further strengthened her interest in the field. During her undergraduate studies at Tel Aviv University, she was one of only seven women among 100 physics majors.

Although she spent her early childhood in Romania, her family eventually left the country after obtaining tourist visas and chose not to return.

“There was a lot of antisemitism,” said Andrei, who is Jewish. “So my parents wanted to leave.”

Her grandparents had already emigrated to Israel, and the rest of the family joined them there. Andrei later moved to the United States to pursue doctoral studies and has lived there ever since, eventually becoming a citizen.

One of her most significant scientific breakthroughs emerged partly by chance.

The material under investigation, graphene, was typically grown on copper in laboratory settings. However, a student at MIT produced graphene on nickel instead. When Andrei’s team examined the sample using a scanning tunneling microscope, they discovered numerous twisted bilayers with varying angles.

In 2009, Andrei and her team observed that at a highly specific angle of 1.07 degrees, later termed the “magic angle” by MacDonald, one of her co laureates, electrons slowed dramatically and began interacting with one another.

“We were tantalizingly close to seeing superconductivity, but our equipment ran just a little too warm,” Andrei said. In 2018, Jarillo Herrero’s group at MIT cooled the system further, unlocking additional potential within the material.

Subsequent research revealed that electrons within twisted graphene exhibited different behaviors depending on both the angle and the applied voltage.

“Imagine a single material that you could reprogram with a battery,” Andrei said. “Turn the voltage up a little and it becomes a superconductor. Turn it differently and it becomes an insulator or a magnet.”

Andrei is the fourth woman to receive a Kavli Prize in nanoscience. Since the prize was established, approximately 30 laureates have been recognized in the field.

According to Andrei, the work conducted by the three Kavli nanoscience laureates could contribute to future advances in quantum technology.

“But we’re still in the discovery phase,” she said. “Right now, the most important thing we’re doing is understanding why these materials behave the way they do. The technology will follow from that understanding.”

Reproduced with Permission from Composites World

Macrodyne Technologies Inc. (Concord, Ontario, Canada), a hydraulic press manufacturer serving the composites industry, offers compression molding, resin transfer molding (RTM) and prepreg press systems engineered for precise control and uniform pressure distribution across the mold. The presses are suited to manufacturing composite parts in thermoset, thermoplastic, elastomer and natural rubber materials for applications ranging from automotive and aerospace components to consumer goods and industrial products.

The press systems are designed to handle large-scale production while accommodating varied and complex molding requirements. Features include advanced heating zones, self-leveling systems, speed control and energy-efficient operation. Macrodyne’s automation systems integrate with the presses to reduce downtime and improve cycle times, and the company offers turnkey solutions that encompass initial consultation, system design, installation, operator training and ongoing support.

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Twisted bilayer graphene has emerged as an important research focus in two dimensional materials. It consists of two graphene layers stacked with a slight rotational offset, causing the carbon atoms in each layer to become misaligned. This arrangement creates an interference pattern known as a moiré lattice. At specific magic angles of 1.1°, 0.55°, and 0.37°, the combination of geometry and interlayer coupling significantly reduces electron velocity, bringing it close to zero. As a result, electrons form flat bands in which electronic interactions become exceptionally strong, enabling the emergence of unusual quantum phases, including superconductivity and strange metal behaviour.

The study investigated the effects of varying the twist angle between 0.35° and 1.30° using scanning tunnelling microscopy (STM) to image individual atoms and probe local electronic states. STM operates by measuring the tunnelling current between a sharp metallic tip and the sample surface, allowing detailed mapping of the electronic structure across regions corresponding to the first, second, and third magic angles.

The results showed that shear strain, a lateral distortion in which one graphene layer shifts relative to the other, has a substantially greater influence on the electronic structure than biaxial stretching or compression. Shear strain strongly affects the separation between flat bands, their bandwidth, and the distribution of electrons within them. It enhances the upper flat band while suppressing the lower flat band, establishing it as a dominant structural factor rather than a minor imperfection. The study also found that remote bands are determined solely by the twist angle and remain unaffected by strain, making them reliable indicators of the local twist angle. Within each moiré unit cell, strain alters flat band energies, and the complete experimental observations could only be reproduced through a theoretical model that incorporates both strain and electron electron interactions.

The findings demonstrate that shear strain, in addition to twist angle, plays a critical role in determining the flat band structure of twisted bilayer graphene. This insight reshapes current understanding of how correlated electronic states and superconducting phases can be engineered in the material.

Special Report: Adisyn Achieves Key Graphene Manufacturing Milestone with Independent Verification

Adisyn has reached a significant milestone in graphene development, with independent verification confirming that its process can consistently produce graphene using equipment commonly employed in the semiconductor industry.

The semiconductor sector has long faced a challenge involving copper interconnects within modern computer chips. These interconnects are microscopic wiring structures that connect billions of transistors and enable signal transmission throughout a chip.

As chips continue to become smaller and more powerful, these copper connections generate increasing amounts of heat. This results in energy loss and creates performance bottlenecks that can restrict further advancements.

Graphene has been widely regarded as a potential alternative because of its exceptional electrical and thermal properties. However, integrating graphene into semiconductor manufacturing environments has remained a major challenge.

Adisyn (ASX: AI1) reported that an independent assessment confirmed its ability to repeatedly deposit graphene at temperatures below 300°C.

The verification was conducted by Associate Professor Rakesh Joshi, who leads the graphene research group at the School of Materials Science and Engineering at UNSW Sydney.

Joshi is recognised as one of Australia's leading graphene researchers and has authored more than 130 peer reviewed scientific publications.

Breakthrough News You Can Use

Through its wholly owned subsidiary 2D Generation, Adisyn demonstrated continuous graphene film formation on a copper substrate using an industrial atomic layer deposition (ALD) system.

All stages of the process were completed at temperatures below 300°C.

Although highly technical in nature, the development addresses a critical requirement for semiconductor manufacturing, where process repeatability is essential.

The company demonstrated the ability to consistently produce an ultra thin graphene layer using equipment already deployed across semiconductor fabrication facilities.

ALD is a standard manufacturing method used by major semiconductor companies such as TSMC, Samsung, and Intel.

This means the process could potentially be integrated into existing fabrication plants without requiring manufacturers to construct new facilities or adopt unfamiliar equipment.

Two independent verification techniques confirmed the presence of a graphene layer approximately 1 to 2 nanometres thick.

Raman spectroscopy measurements taken at ten separate locations identified consistent graphene signatures across the entire sample surface.

Additional validation was provided through ultra high resolution transmission electron microscopy conducted at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, which produced supporting results.

Why Repeatability Matters

The achievement represents Milestone 2 under Adisyn's agreement to acquire 2D Generation.

Milestone 1, achieved in January, demonstrated continuous graphene formation on a one square centimetre sample using an industrial ALD system operating below 300°C.

Milestone 2 required verification that the process could be reproduced consistently.

To assess repeatability, the company performed the same deposition procedure, designated YBPD 391, on three separate occasions across different days.

Each run generated the same graphene layer formation, confirmed through Raman spectroscopy measurements taken at ten locations.

The graphene was not limited to isolated regions of the sample.

Three separate ultra high resolution transmission electron microscopy cross sections collected from different locations on the same one square centimetre sample produced identical findings.

These results confirmed uniform graphene coverage across the entire sample.

Joshi subsequently confirmed that the complete dataset satisfied the requirements established for Milestone 1.

“Achieving Milestone 2 with independent expert verification is a defining moment for Adisyn,” CEO Arye Kohavi said.

“Repeatability is what separates an interesting laboratory result from a process that the semiconductor industry can use.

“We have now demonstrated that our graphene deposition process works consistently run after run with uniform coverage across the coupon.

“We have done so at temperatures that are fully compatible with existing chip fabrication environments.”

The Temperature Advantage

Processing temperature remains a critical factor in graphene production.

According to the company, the process operates well below the thermal limits typically associated with semiconductor manufacturing, an area where graphene deposition has historically faced difficulties.

Modern semiconductor fabrication involves multiple layers and structures that can be damaged by excessive heat during later manufacturing stages.

Adisyn stated that the results demonstrate a broad process temperature window, which could simplify integration into existing semiconductor fabrication facilities.

In practical terms, this suggests that graphene may be incorporated into advanced chips without harming delicate structures already present within the devices.

The Road to Commercialisation

Following completion of Milestone 2, Adisyn stated that its focus is shifting from research and development validation toward industry engagement and process scaling.

The next stage is focused on commercial outcomes.

Milestone 3 requires the company to secure a binding agreement with a global semiconductor corporation and generate more than US$1 million in revenue.

Kohavi stated that the latest achievement enhances the company's position as discussions progress with major semiconductor manufacturers.

“Combined with our granted US patent, this result gives us a strong foundation to begin meaningful conversations with tier one semiconductor companies.”

The company also plans to continue improving film quality while scaling the process to full wafer level substrates, the format required for commercial semiconductor manufacturing.

Why Investors Are Paying Attention

The global semiconductor market is projected to reach approximately US$1 trillion by 2030.

Graphene has long been considered a potential replacement for copper in semiconductor applications, but manufacturing limitations have prevented widespread adoption.

Adisyn believes its low temperature ALD process addresses these challenges.

With independent verification completed and repeatability demonstrated, the company is now directing its efforts toward commercial adoption and process scale up.

A French manufacturer is marking a $10 million investment in its Englewood facility.

Nawah produces carbon nanotubes at two locations: one in Rousset, France, and another in Englewood at 35 Rockridge Road.

The company's 4,600 square meter facility in France began operations in 2024. On Wednesday, June 10, Nawah commemorated the opening of its Englewood plant with a ribbon cutting ceremony.

"We're excited to be here, to have production starting," said Kevin Retz, who oversees the Englewood facility and the company's U.S. operations.

"A new adventure is starting," Nawah Chief Executive Alain Guinot told the Dayton Daily News.

The company plans to focus on the automotive and aerospace industries, producing carbon nanotubes designed to reinforce carbon fiber composite materials.

For customers, the technology offers lightweight, high strength materials that can be engineered to conduct electricity and perform across a range of temperatures.

The company also announced a partnership this week with the University of Dayton Research Institute on a bilateral research project for the U.S. Army. The initiative aims to develop materials for future vertical takeoff and landing vehicles.

Nawah's proprietary carbon material was developed through collaboration with the University of Dayton Research Institute and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.

Company leaders emphasized the importance of the relationship with the University of Dayton.

"We do not foresee that relationship dying out," said Retz, who credited the partnership with UDRI as instrumental in establishing the company's presence in the United States. He described UDRI as "the premier new materials developer in the U.S."

According to the company, the transition from selecting the Englewood site to beginning operations took less than a year.

Retz said the company currently employs nine people and expects to add three more employees by the end of the year. Over a longer time horizon, company leadership anticipates the workforce will grow to approximately 40 employees within three years.

Potential applications for the carbon materials span a wide range of industries. According to Retz, the materials can be used in ships, aircraft, buildings, and sporting equipment such as golf clubs and tennis rackets. They can also support sensors and be incorporated into cell towers, battery enclosures, and other products.

Retz outlined a three step manufacturing process in which a substrate is coated with a specialized material and then placed into a high temperature furnace. The heat initiates a chemical reaction that leads to the formation of carbon nanotubes.

He added that the company can customize the nanotubes to meet customer requirements by increasing their length, modifying thermal properties, or enhancing electrical conductivity.

According to Retz, the manufacturing process is consistent and highly repeatable.

The furnace installed at the Englewood facility is capable of producing up to 400,000 square meters of material annually.

"We are the first in the world to produce this at a large scale," the CEO said.

Retz previously worked with GE Aerospace in Evendale and Boeing in Seattle.

When asked about the company's customer base, Retz said, "Let's just say, anybody in the aerospace industry, we're having discussions with."

Volt Carbon Technologies Inc. (TSXV: VCT) (OTCQB: TORVF) announced that the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) has granted trademark registrations for GRAPHFLAKE® and GRAFLAKE®.

The registrations provide trademark protection for product brands associated with graphite, graphene, and related carbon materials developed by the company.

GRAPHFLAKE® was registered on May 5, 2026, under USPTO Registration No. 8,238,161. The trademark is intended for use in connection with graphite concentrates, battery materials, expandable graphite, thermal management materials, conductive additives, and related products.

GRAFLAKE® was registered on June 2, 2026, under USPTO Registration No. 8,279,311. The trademark is intended for use in connection with graphene materials, graphene oxide, graphene precursor materials, and other carbon materials derived from natural flake graphite.

The brands were developed based on Volt Carbon's work with natural graphite, including the production of super jumbo flake graphite concentrates and high purity graphite concentrates through its dry separation process. The company has also continued the development of graphene and related carbon materials. Moving forward, Volt Carbon plans to align product SKUs, technical datasheets, sample programs, and product specifications under the GRAPHFLAKE® and GRAFLAKE® brands.

About Volt Carbon Technologies

Volt Carbon is a publicly traded carbon science company focused on advanced carbon materials, energy storage, and green energy technologies. The company is developing a vertically integrated platform aimed at converting natural graphite resources into value added carbon products, including graphite concentrates, graphene, battery materials, and lithium batteries. Volt Carbon holds mineral interests in Quebec and British Columbia, Canada, and operates facilities that support carbon material processing and battery technology development.

The development of multifunctional materials for applications such as radioactive pollutant removal and electromagnetic wave shielding has advanced with a breakthrough achieved by researchers at KAIST. The team successfully synthesized the core raw material required to fabricate asymmetric MXene, a Janus nanomaterial capable of exhibiting different functions on each side due to variations in atomic composition.

KAIST announced on June 11 that a research team led by Professor Ho Jin Ryu from the Department of Nuclear and Quantum Engineering experimentally synthesized an asymmetric layered ceramic. This material serves as a necessary precursor for producing asymmetric MXene, a two dimensional nanomaterial characterized by different atomic compositions on its two surfaces.

MXene is widely recognized for its excellent electrical conductivity and high surface reactivity, making it a promising material for advanced technologies such as energy storage systems and sensors. However, previously developed MXenes have featured symmetrical structures with identical atomic compositions on both sides, limiting the range of functions they can perform.

Asymmetric MXenes address this limitation by incorporating different atomic compositions on each side. This structural asymmetry allows each surface to perform distinct functions and enables material properties that are difficult to achieve using conventional symmetrical structures. Such characteristics make asymmetric MXenes promising candidates for next generation functional materials, including filters designed to capture radionuclides and materials capable of absorbing and shielding electromagnetic waves.

Despite their potential, asymmetric MXenes had largely remained theoretical, with their existence primarily suggested through computer simulations. Practical implementation was hindered by the absence of suitable precursor materials required for their fabrication.

To overcome this challenge, the research team employed a high entropy material design strategy that combines multiple elements to generate new material properties. By simultaneously incorporating titanium (Ti), zirconium (Zr), hafnium (Hf), tantalum (Ta), aluminum (Al), and tin (Sn), the researchers identified a stable asymmetric structure. Differences in atomic size naturally led to distinct arrangements in the outer metal atomic layers, resulting in an asymmetric configuration. This represents a previously unreported structure formation mechanism among MXene precursor materials.

The synthesized asymmetric layered ceramic functions as a precursor that can be transformed into asymmetric MXene through chemical etching, a process that selectively removes specific atomic layers. The resulting material possesses different atomic compositions on each side.

The achievement establishes a practical foundation for realizing asymmetric MXenes, which had previously remained a theoretical concept. It also opens opportunities for applications in advanced technology fields where conventional symmetrical structures face limitations, including radionuclide capture, electromagnetic wave shielding, sensing technologies, and piezoelectric devices that convert mechanical pressure or vibration into electrical energy.

Patent applications covering the asymmetric layered ceramic and the resulting asymmetric MXene have been filed in South Korea, the United States, and Japan. Future studies are planned to evaluate the material's performance in radioactive ion removal and electromagnetic wave shielding applications.

Professor Ho Jin Ryu said, "This study is an instance of realizing an asymmetric atomic structure, which was difficult to achieve using conventional crystallography, through a high entropy material design strategy. We expect that it can be developed into a core original technology in the fields of safety and the environment, such as radionuclide capturing and electromagnetic wave shielding, in the future."

Dr. Minseok Lee of KAIST, currently affiliated with the Korea Atomic Energy Research Institute, participated as the first author of the study. Dr. Hyun Woo Seong of KAIST, also currently affiliated with the Korea Atomic Energy Research Institute, contributed as a coauthor.

The research was supported by the Nuclear Energy Basic Research Support Program of the National Research Foundation of Korea, funded by the Ministry of Science and ICT.

Deep tech company Grapheal has been awarded €2.5 million in funding through the European Innovation Council (EIC) Accelerator programme to support the advancement of portable sensors for detecting harmful "forever chemicals" in water supplies.

The funding will be used to further develop the company's PFAST platform, a graphene based sensing system designed for real time, on site detection of per and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). These chemicals are extensively used in industrial and consumer applications and are known for their persistence in the environment, as well as their association with health and ecological risks.

PFAS contamination has been identified at thousands of sites across Europe, leading to stricter regulatory oversight. Recent updates to the EU Drinking Water Directive have introduced tighter limits and expanded monitoring obligations. Existing testing methods, including laboratory based LC MS/MS analysis, often require several weeks to generate results, creating compliance challenges for water utilities.

Grapheal's solution is based on a portable testing device that enables analysis at the point of use. The system features a compact graphene sensor approximately the size of a credit card and is designed to deliver results within minutes rather than days. According to the company, the technology could support faster decision making and lower operational costs by enabling continuous monitoring of filtration systems.

"Regulatory pressure is accelerating adoption of portable rapid detection sensors for PFAS and we have already received strong interest for this technology from Europe’s largest water utilities," said Vincent Bouchiat, chief executive of Grapheal. "This EIC award, widely recognised as a mark of excellence, will allow us to refine PFAST and further improve its capabilities."

Bouchiat also stated that the company is seeking partners to support manufacturing scale up and commercialisation efforts, with a market launch expected in 2027.

PFAS represent a group of approximately 12,000 chemical compounds that resist degradation and can accumulate in living organisms. Their widespread use and long term environmental persistence have raised concerns regarding impacts on public health, ecosystems, and water treatment infrastructure.

The technology developed by Grapheal is based on more than a decade of graphene research. Graphene is recognised for its strength, electrical conductivity, and sensitivity. The company reports that its sensors provide enhanced detection performance compared with existing portable alternatives while reducing environmental impact through lower carbon emissions during manufacturing.

The funding has been awarded through the EIC Accelerator, a component of the European Union's Horizon Europe programme that supports the development and scaling of innovative technologies. With a budget exceeding €10 billion for the 2021 to 2027 period, the programme prioritises projects that contribute to the European Union's green and digital transition objectives.

As regulatory attention on PFAS continues to increase and demand for monitoring solutions grows, the market for PFAS testing technologies is expected to expand substantially in the coming years, driven by environmental concerns and regulatory compliance requirements.

A team of researchers has developed a sustainable catalyst derived from cotton hulls that significantly enhances ozone's ability to remove persistent organic pollutants from water. The study, published in the journal Biochar, demonstrates that a nitrogen doped biochar catalyst known as N-BC-800 can effectively degrade N,N-diethyl-meta-toluamide (DEET), a widely used insect repellent that is increasingly being detected in rivers, wastewater, and other aquatic environments.

DEET is widely used for protection against mosquitoes and other insects. However, once it enters wastewater systems, it can persist in the environment and resist conventional treatment methods. While ozone is commonly used in water purification processes, its effectiveness can be limited because it may selectively react with contaminants and fail to completely mineralize certain pollutants. The study found that nitrogen modification of biochar substantially improves ozone based treatment performance.

The researchers produced N-BC-800 using cotton hulls as the feedstock and urea as the nitrogen source through a two step pyrolysis process. During catalytic ozonation experiments, the material achieved 94% removal of DEET, significantly outperforming both ozone alone and ozone combined with unmodified biochar. The apparent second order rate constant reached 2538 M⁻¹ s⁻¹, representing a 106 fold increase over ozone alone and a 25 fold increase over ozone used with conventional biochar.

“This work shows that agricultural waste can be transformed into a high-value catalyst for advanced water treatment,” said corresponding author Prof. Yonghui Song. “By tailoring the surface chemistry of biochar, we can make ozone work faster and more effectively against pollutants that are difficult to remove.”

According to the study, the catalyst's enhanced performance resulted from both structural and chemical modifications. Nitrogen doping increased the material's surface area, introduced defects within the carbon framework, and improved electron transfer properties. Detailed experimental analysis and density functional theory calculations identified pyridinic nitrogen and surface C=O groups as the primary active sites. These sites facilitate ozone adsorption and activation, leading to the generation of reactive oxygen species, particularly superoxide radicals and hydroxyl radicals, which play a central role in DEET degradation.

“The most exciting finding is the synergy between pyridinic nitrogen and C=O groups,” said Prof. Zhiwei Song. “These two surface sites do not simply act alone. Together, they enhance electron transfer to ozone and accelerate the generation of reactive oxygen species.”

The catalyst also demonstrated effectiveness against a broader range of contaminants. Enhanced removal was observed for atrazine, ketoprofen, ibuprofen, and primidone. Tests conducted using river water and effluent from municipal wastewater treatment plants showed that N-BC-800 maintained strong catalytic activity under complex real world conditions that included natural organic matter and common inorganic ions.

The material also exhibited notable stability. After five consecutive reaction cycles, N-BC-800 retained approximately 80% of its catalytic activity, while structural analyses detected no new crystalline phases following use. In real secondary effluent, the catalyst maintained approximately 73% of its activity after five cycles.

The treatment process also reduced toxicity. Researchers identified 14 transformation products and proposed several degradation pathways, including hydroxylation, dealkylation, decarboxylation, and ring opening oxidation. Toxicity modeling and bioluminescence assays using Vibrio fischeri indicated that catalytic ozonation significantly reduced residual bioavailable toxicity compared with ozone treatment alone.

The findings suggest that nitrogen doped biochar produced from cotton hulls may provide a sustainable, metal free, and effective approach for removing persistent organic pollutants from water.

Premier Graphene Inc. (OTC: BIEI) announced that its Mexican affiliate, HGI Industrial Technologies S.A.P.I. (“HGI”), has been awarded two new contracts to supply the Mexican military. The contracts cover (1) Military Tactical Belts and (2) Nylon Cotton Ripstop Fabric, both of which are mission critical materials used in active defense supply programs. HGI and Premier have already begun coordinating with suppliers, manufacturers, and logistics partners to support timely and efficient contract fulfillment.

The contract awards represent more than individual procurement agreements. They indicate continued business engagement and growing institutional confidence in HGI’s ability to source, coordinate, and deliver products across multiple supply categories. Several factors highlighted by the awards include:

• Recurring Defense Revenue: The awards follow previous military supply contracts, suggesting an established customer relationship and a repeatable revenue generating business model within the Mexican defense sector.
• Execution Activities Already Underway: Coordination with suppliers and logistics partners has commenced, supporting on time delivery and efficient contract execution.
• Scalable Supply Chain Infrastructure: The ability to fulfill contracts involving both tactical equipment and technical fabrics demonstrates operational capabilities across multiple product categories and supports the potential expansion into additional contract areas.
• Diversified Revenue Alongside Technology Development: While HGI, with support from Premier, continues to advance proprietary graphene and advanced materials initiatives, defense contracting activities provide near term revenue that complements the company’s longer term technology development efforts.
• Strategic Regional Positioning: Through established operations and business relationships in Mexico and across Latin America, Premier and HGI are positioned to pursue additional defense and government supply opportunities throughout the region.

Pedro Mendez, President of both Premier Graphene Inc. and HGI Industrial Technologies, commented:

“We are honored by the confidence placed in our team through these contract awards. These opportunities further strengthen our position within the defense supply chain and demonstrate our ability to deliver quality products, reliable logistics, and effective execution. We look forward to expanding our presence in the defense sector while continuing to pursue opportunities in advanced materials, graphene technologies, aerospace applications, rare earth materials and other strategic industries.”

The defense supply contracts form part of a broader growth strategy being pursued by Premier and HGI across several sectors. Alongside defense supply activities, the companies are advancing the following initiatives:

• Proprietary Graphene Production : Premier and HGI are developing graphene production technologies in Mexico and the United States using biomass feedstocks. This approach may provide a lower cost and more sustainable pathway to commercial scale graphene production, with potential applications in defense, aerospace, electronics, and energy.
• Defense and Aerospace Applications : The companies are evaluating opportunities to deploy advanced materials, including graphene enhanced composites and coatings, within defense and aerospace programs throughout North America and Latin America.
• Quantum Related Materials ResearchPremier and HGI are pursuing early stage opportunities in quantum related materials connected to industrial hemp graphene, an area that has attracted increasing government and commercial investment.

Critical Minerals and Rare Earth Resources

The companies are exploring graphene bearing and rare earth mineral resources in Brazil and Mexico in response to growing global demand for domestically sourced critical materials and stronger North American supply chain resilience.

Collectively, these initiatives provide HGI with exposure to multiple sectors, including defense, advanced materials, aerospace, quantum related materials, and critical minerals. The company combines near term revenue opportunities from defense contracts with the ongoing development of an advanced materials technology platform. Management expects to provide further information regarding contract quantities, delivery schedules, and financial impacts as such information becomes available and intends to continue disclosing material developments when appropriate.

About HGI Industrial Technologies S.A.P.I.

HGI Industrial Technologies S.A.P.I. is a Mexican technology and industrial solutions company focused on advanced materials, proprietary graphene development, rare earth mineral mining, defense sector opportunities, aerospace technologies, manufacturing partnerships, and strategic resource development initiatives. The company is exploring a range of commercial and government applications for graphene and other advanced materials.

About Premier Graphene Inc.

Premier Graphene Inc. focuses on the development and commercialization of graphene technologies, advanced materials, aerospace and defense applications, critical mineral opportunities, and strategic investments. The company is also working toward becoming a supplier of pristine graphene to the United States government and the United States military industrial sector upon receiving ITAR certification approval.

Researchers introduced a cyclophane based shielding strategy that enables the singular dispersion of graphene nanoribbons (GNRs). The development addresses a major challenge in the use of GNRs, materials known for their electronic, optical, and mechanical properties, by preventing the aggregation that has long limited their practical applications.

Graphene nanoribbons are narrow strips of graphene whose quasi one dimensional structure and edge configurations give rise to distinctive electrical properties. When isolated, GNRs exhibit tunable bandgaps, making them promising candidates for semiconductor and optoelectronic technologies. However, strong π π stacking and van der Waals interactions cause the nanoribbons to aggregate into bundles, obscuring their intrinsic properties and complicating both fundamental studies and device fabrication.

To overcome this challenge, the researchers developed a cyclophane based molecular shield designed to provide steric and electronic protection for individual graphene nanoribbons. Cyclophanes are macrocyclic compounds recognized for their structural stability and their ability to interact with other molecules through non covalent interactions. By designing a cyclophane scaffold specifically suited to GNRs, the team created a protective structure that significantly reduced inter ribbon attractions and maintained the nanoribbons in a singly dispersed state.

The cyclophane structure functions as a cage like shield that surrounds the graphene nanoribbons without disrupting their conjugated π systems, thereby preserving their conductive pathways. Unlike covalent functionalization approaches, which can adversely affect the electronic properties of GNRs, the non covalent cyclophane strategy maintains the nanoribbons' original electronic characteristics while providing effective physical separation.

A notable aspect of the shielding strategy is its adaptability. The cyclophane framework can be synthetically modified to accommodate graphene nanoribbons with different widths and edge configurations, allowing the method to be applied across a broad range of GNR types. The approach also avoids introducing electronic defects, making it suitable for applications that require high charge carrier mobility and minimal scattering, including field effect transistors and energy conversion systems.

The effectiveness of the cyclophane shield was confirmed through microscopic and spectroscopic characterization. Atomic force microscopy revealed individually dispersed nanoribbons without the bundled aggregates typically observed in untreated samples. Raman spectroscopy further demonstrated that the structural integrity of the graphene nanoribbons remained unchanged following encapsulation. Together, these analyses provided strong evidence for the robustness of the approach.

In addition to preventing aggregation, the cyclophane shields improved the solubility of graphene nanoribbons in common organic solvents. Enhanced solubility facilitates processing through solution based techniques and supports the integration of GNRs into a variety of device architectures. This capability represents an important step toward scalable manufacturing and practical deployment.

The strategy also creates new opportunities for fundamental research. Stabilized, isolated graphene nanoribbons allow scientists to investigate intrinsic quantum phenomena without interference from inter ribbon interactions. This capability may advance understanding of edge state engineering, spin transport behavior, and the relationship between electronic structure and ribbon morphology.

The findings have significant implications for organic electronics, where graphene nanoribbons are being explored as semiconducting materials. By preserving their electronic performance, the cyclophane shield enables more effective utilization of their charge transport properties. Applications such as flexible transistors, photodetectors, and nanoscale sensors could benefit from the improved material stability and performance.

The researchers also reported that cyclophane synthesis is scalable and compatible with established chemical manufacturing processes, supporting the potential for industrial adoption. The modular nature of the molecular design further allows functional modifications that could provide additional electronic or optical tunability through variation of cyclophane substituents.

Beyond graphene nanoribbons, the molecular shielding concept may be applicable to other aggregation prone nanomaterials. The use of cyclophane scaffolds could potentially enable the stabilization and isolation of carbon nanotubes, transition metal dichalcogenides, and related nanostructures. This broader applicability suggests a versatile strategy for nanomaterial stabilization and functionalization.

Future research will focus on refining cyclophane designs to optimize interactions with a wider range of quantum confined nanostructures while preserving or improving transport properties. Additional studies will also examine the influence of molecular shielding on device performance, including long term durability and stability under operational and environmental conditions.

The ability to achieve singular dispersion of graphene nanoribbons without compromising their electronic integrity represents a significant advancement in nanomaterials research. As the cyclophane based approach continues to develop, it may support the broader integration of graphene nanoribbons into advanced electronic technologies.

The study demonstrates a molecular strategy for addressing one of the key limitations associated with graphene nanoribbons. By enabling stable dispersion while preserving material properties, the cyclophane shield provides new opportunities for both fundamental research and technological applications involving graphene based nanostructures and related materials.

A research team led by Yale University has developed the first standalone device capable of producing the liquid fuel methanol using only sunlight, water, and carbon dioxide as inputs.

The artificial leaf, inspired by the natural process of photosynthesis, represents a significant advancement in solar fuel technology. The device converts sunlight into methanol with an efficiency that is 32 times higher than the previous record achieved by artificial leaf systems designed to generate alcohol based fuels.

What You Need to Know,What is photosynthesis?

Photosynthesis is the natural process through which plants, algae, and certain bacteria convert sunlight into chemical energy. During this process, carbon dioxide and water are transformed into glucose, while oxygen is released into the atmosphere.

What is an artificial leaf?

An artificial leaf mimics photosynthesis by using catalysts and sunlight to convert carbon dioxide and water into chemical fuels.

How is the new, Yale led artificial leaf concept distinct?

The artificial leaf developed in the laboratory of Yale chemist Hailiang Wang, with support from the Center for Hybrid Approaches in Solar Energy to Liquid Fuels (CHASE), is the first standalone device capable of producing methanol using only sunlight, water, and carbon dioxide.

“This looks promising, with a concept that is comparable to what nature does,” said Hailiang Wang, professor of chemistry in Yale’s Faculty of Arts and Sciences, member of the Yale Energy Sciences Institute and Yale Center for Natural Carbon Capture, and senior author of the study published in the Journal of the American Chemical Society. “From the moment that we saw the first results it was super exciting.”

The artificial leaf offers several potential environmental and industrial advantages. It captures carbon dioxide, a greenhouse gas and major contributor to climate change, from the atmosphere. It also produces methanol, a widely used chemical feedstock and alternative liquid fuel. In addition, the system demonstrates a potential method for converting and storing solar energy.

The study marks an important milestone for CHASE, a federally funded solar energy research hub composed of seven research institutions across the United States and headquartered at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Alongside Yale, contributors to the research included scientists from North Carolina State University, the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, and the University of Pennsylvania.

The design of the system was led by Wang and Bo Shang, a researcher in the Wang laboratory and a doctoral student in Yale’s Graduate School of Arts and Sciences. The project formed part of Shang’s doctoral dissertation.

At the core of the system are two technological developments that have been refined in the Wang laboratory over the past decade: a specialized catalyst and an advanced photoelectrode.

The catalyst, first developed in 2019, enables the conversion of carbon dioxide and water into methanol using electricity. It belongs to a class known as heterogeneous molecular electrocatalysts. The term heterogeneous refers to a solid catalyst operating within a liquid electrolyte, while molecular refers to the molecular structure of the catalyst’s active site.

According to Wang, the catalyst’s structure is central to its performance.

Researchers anchored individual molecules of cobalt phthalocyanine, or related derivatives, onto the surfaces of carbon nanotubes. These nanotubes, which are nanometer scale tubes formed from rolled graphene layers, facilitate rapid electron transport by acting as pathways for electrons. This design enables a continuous flow of electrons to the catalytic sites responsible for converting carbon dioxide into methanol.

The conversion process requires a six electron reduction, meaning six electrons are transferred to a single carbon dioxide molecule. Earlier molecular catalysts were limited to two electron reduction processes, restricting the resulting products to compounds such as carbon monoxide.

The second key innovation was a photoelectrode developed by Shang. It consists of an array of silicon micropillars coated with a layer of fullerene carbon. This architecture provides favorable conditions for charge generation and separation, improves electron transfer, and increases the available surface area for catalyst attachment.

As a result, the system achieved the most efficient silicon based photoelectrocatalytic conversion of carbon dioxide to methanol reported to date.

“When I started, getting a device like this to run on its own felt like a long shot,” said Shang, first author of the study. “Over five years of work in CHASE, we developed every part of the device from the ground up. To watch it turn just sunlight, water, and CO2 into a usable fuel is incredibly rewarding and it really feels like only the beginning of what the approach can do.”

Following these developments, the research team continued refining the structure of the artificial leaf to improve its conversion efficiency. Wang noted that further optimization efforts are expected to continue now that the concept has been successfully demonstrated.

“CHASE’s demonstration of a monolithic artificial leaf is an example of how hypothesis driven fundamental research can lead to technological advances,” said CHASE director Jillian Dempsey. “Several years of collaborative research within CHASE led to enhancements in the performance metrics of the methanol producing photocathode, setting the stage for the team to pursue an integrated light to methanol production system. The work is an enabling milestone for our team and the field.”

Yale coauthors of the study include Kunpeng Yu, Haozhou Yang, Yuanzuo Gao, Jindou Yang, Jing Li, Min Li, Jinquan Shi, and Mengxia Liu. Additional contributors include Hannah Margavio and Gregory Parsons of North Carolina State University, Jillian Dempsey and Gerald Meyer of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, and Thomas Mallouk of the University of Pennsylvania.

The research was supported by CHASE, an Energy Innovation Hub funded by the U.S. Department of Energy’s Office of Science.

Do you come from an entrepreneurial family or was there a teacher or mentor in your early life who inspired you to take this path?

There was no entrepreneurial background in the family, and the future founder was the first member of the family to attend university. Establishing a company was not part of the original career plan.

Were you interested in science at school?

Interestingly, art was the primary passion during school years. The initial intention was to pursue a university degree in fine art.

What changed your mind?

A significant influence came from an art teacher who offered practical advice:

"You have a talent for art and if you want to pursue it later in life, that's great. But it's really tough to make a career out of it. Go and do something else first and then come back to it."

At the same time, there was a strong aptitude for science, with mathematics, physics, and art studied at A level. Following the teacher's advice, an application was made to the University of Liverpool to study aerospace engineering.

You then went on to do a PhD? Did you think you were on an academic pathway at that point?

The decision to pursue a PhD was largely driven by a desire to continue exploring scientific interests rather than entering the workforce immediately.

During a master's degree, a six month research project focused on aerospace alloys introduced several analytical techniques that had not been encountered previously. The experience sparked a strong interest in laboratory based scientific research.

After completing the master's degree, many peers joined companies such as British Aerospace, now BAE Systems, or Rolls Royce. While a similar career path was available, the desire to continue scientific exploration remained. A PhD opportunity became available through a supervisor and provided the next step.

This period marked the first involvement with semiconductors, particularly gallium nitride.

Having got your PhD, you didn't stay in academia?

By the end of the PhD, the focus had shifted toward applying scientific knowledge in practical settings.

The transition was largely driven by opportunity. Interest in gallium nitride was growing rapidly, and Aixtron was seeking engineers with expertise in the field. Just seven days after the PhD viva, work began in a laboratory in Taiwan.

The following twelve years were spent working in some of the world's most advanced facilities. The work was highly rewarding but also exceptionally demanding.

What lessons did you learn from that experience that you brought with you to Paragraf?

Two key lessons emerged from that period.

The first was resilience. Much of the work involved travelling alone to locations where communication was challenging due to language differences. Success depended on solving problems efficiently under unfamiliar circumstances. Working through technical challenges while navigating language barriers required considerable mental strength.

The second lesson involved collaboration. Complex projects highlighted the importance of trusting the expertise of others and recognising the limits of one's own knowledge. Effective teamwork became essential, particularly under difficult conditions.

These lessons were gained through experience, including a number of challenging situations.

What prompted you to re enter the academic world as a research associate at Cambridge?

After twelve years of extensive international travel with Aixtron, a decision was made to leave the company and take a break. However, only three weeks into that planned time off, Professor Sir Colin Humphreys, a leading figure in gallium nitride research, made contact.

Previous visits to Professor Humphreys' laboratory and meetings at conferences meant that he was already familiar with the work and experience involved.

He asked if there was interest in joining his team at Cambridge. The initial response was negative due to the need for rest after years of intensive work.

Nevertheless, Professor Humphreys persisted and invited a discussion about research involving gallium nitride on diamond substrates.

The concept was both unfamiliar and scientifically compelling. While Professor Humphreys suggested that working in his laboratory could be as relaxing as taking time off, his reputation ultimately proved decisive. The opportunity to work with someone of his stature was difficult to ignore.

Shortly after joining Cambridge, another project emerged. Professor Humphreys was collaborating with the Nobel Prize winning researchers from the University of Manchester to explore combining gallium nitride with graphene.

A visit to Manchester led to discussions with the Nobel laureates and the transfer of small graphene samples. While the Manchester team had achieved remarkable laboratory results, scaling the material for practical device applications remained a challenge. Professor Humphreys asked whether that problem could be solved.

At that point, the role became far more demanding than originally anticipated. Producing graphene at scale represented a major scientific and engineering challenge.

Previous experience with metal organic chemical deposition suggested that, with modifications, the process might be adapted for graphene production. Within five weeks, a workable approach had largely been demonstrated.

Although another six months were required to achieve the desired quality, the fundamental solution had been identified from the outset.

So you decided to found a company?

At that stage, creating a company was still not part of the plan.

Professor Humphreys proposed patenting the technology. In 2015, graphene research was attracting enormous attention, with patents and scientific papers being produced at an unprecedented pace.

Although publication was considered, there was concern that the work might be overlooked amid the volume of graphene related research. As a result, the decision was made to pursue patent protection.

Professor Humphreys had previously established a company to commercialise gallium nitride on silicon and therefore had valuable experience in managing intellectual property and technology commercialisation.

Now you are ready to start a company...?

Even then, entrepreneurship was not the primary objective. The turning point came during a conversation with Andrew Lynn, a successful entrepreneur from Cambridge, who argued that the breakthrough technology deserved to be spun out into a company.

Despite extensive corporate experience, there was little familiarity with the process of building a business. Andrew Lynn provided significant support, while skills developed during the years at Aixtron, particularly in communication and resilience, proved highly valuable.

10 years on from submitting that patent, where are you now?

The company has grown to approximately 115 employees across two sites in Cambridgeshire, with subsidiaries in San Diego, Shanghai, and the United Arab Emirates.

So back to flying round the world?

International travel is now viewed much more positively. Long flights provide uninterrupted time for focused work.

And you are producing graphene?

Yes. The company's foundry produces graphene for a broad range of electronic applications. The material offers exceptional strength, flexibility, chemical stability, and high electrical and thermal conductivity, making it suitable for numerous high performance technologies.

Widespread adoption of graphene in electronics could significantly improve device performance while reducing energy consumption.

However, despite its remarkable properties, adoption remains a challenge.

Paragraf currently offers two principal products. One is a magnetic field sensor that surpasses silicon based alternatives while consuming one thousand times less energy. The sensor is being deployed in sectors that demand high performance, including space technology, medical diagnostics, and quantum computing.

The second is a molecular sensor. This chip can, for example, measure potassium levels from a single drop of blood and provide rapid insights into kidney function within seconds.

As a home diagnostic tool, it has the potential to support preventative healthcare while reducing healthcare costs. It may also help reduce environmental impact by decreasing the need for travel to healthcare facilities.

What are you most proud of in your career?

Both large scale graphene manufacturing and device integration are exceptionally challenging undertakings. The work involves addressing some of the most difficult problems in deep technology and advanced manufacturing.

As a result of these efforts, the company has secured more than 150 patents. This achievement is attributed to the collective efforts of the Paragraf team.

The greatest source of pride comes from seeing so many talented people unite around a common challenge and accomplish results that exceeded expectations.

How do you build a culture that keeps people motivated through challenging times?

The focus is on creating a culture of purposeful innovation where individuals are supported and understand the importance of collaboration.

Resilience remains a central theme. Confidence in graphene's potential has remained strong, even though the company operates in a particularly challenging field.

Leadership involves managing difficulties without concealing them. Challenges are communicated openly, while attention is also directed toward opportunities. Failures are treated as learning experiences that contribute to future progress.

Maintaining that balance requires resilience, particularly because leadership can often be isolating. Support from a small group of committed investors has been valuable, although the demands of the role leave limited time for involvement in communities outside work.

Sparc Technologies Limited (ASX: SPN) announced that Petro Vietnam Paint (PV PAINT), a Vietnamese coatings manufacturer, has committed to incorporating the ecosparc® additive into its dedicated protective coating product range, PERAPHENE. This marks the first international coatings product range to include ecosparc® and reflects increasing adoption of the additive within the global protective coatings sector.

PV PAINT's decision follows a series of internal and external testing programs that demonstrated performance improvements when ecosparc® was used compared to alternative graphene materials. Commercial availability of the PERAPHENE range incorporating ecosparc® is expected to begin in the third quarter of 2026. PV PAINT, a member of the Petro Vietnam group, supplies protective coating solutions to marine, offshore, industrial, and infrastructure markets.

Sparc Managing Director Mr Nick O’Loughlin commented:

“We are extremely pleased that PV PAINT has chosen to incorporate ecosparc® within an existing commercial coatings range. Following ecosparc® being commercialised within AkzoNobel’s Interzone® 954 product in Australia, this international product release with PV PAINT is clear evidence of growing momentum behind the use of ecosparc® to enhance the performance and longevity of steel protective coatings. This product milestone, along with PV PAINT’s commentary around the performance of ecosparc®, confirms Sparc’s leadership position in developing and commercialising graphene additives for the global protective coatings market.”

Mr Vũ Duy Cường, General Director of PV PAINT, commented:

“As part of our strategy focused on innovation and technological self reliance, PV PAINT began researching the application of graphene in protective coatings in 2021 and achieved encouraging results, culminating in the launch of the PERAPHENE product range in January 2025.

Since then, we have continuously evaluated graphene materials from around the world with the objective of optimising both performance and cost effectiveness. ecosparc® has been assessed as the graphene additive that best meets our product requirements at this point in time.

In addition to our internal testing programs, we submitted coating systems incorporating ecosparc® to independent laboratories for evaluation. The results have been very positive. These new coating systems satisfy the requirements of the C5 High corrosivity category under ISO 12944 6 while achieving this performance at lower dry film thicknesses than comparable coating systems currently recommended by the company.

We are continuing to evaluate coating systems incorporating ecosparc® under even more demanding service conditions, including C5 Very High, CX, offshore and immersion environments, with the objective of achieving equivalent or improved performance at lower dry film thicknesses than existing products serving the same applications. We are looking forward to sharing these results with Sparc in the near future.

Based on the results achieved to date, we are confident that ecosparc® is fully capable of meeting the demanding performance requirements of our PERAPHENE branded protective coating systems intended for highly corrosive environments.”

Discussions between Sparc and PV PAINT regarding the use of ecosparc® began in November 2024. Since then, the companies have collaborated on laboratory testing across multiple coating systems. The PERAPHENE range consists of protective coatings designed for steel structures operating in highly corrosive environments.

According to the companies, all PERAPHENE products incorporating ecosparc® meet the requirements of the C5 High corrosivity category under ISO 12944 6:2018 while achieving this performance at lower dry film thicknesses than comparable coating systems currently recommended by PV PAINT. Independent third party validation further supported the suitability of the products for demanding corrosion protection applications.

PV PAINT’s decision to incorporate ecosparc® into the PERAPHENE range does not include binding purchase commitments. However, Sparc considers the development an important commercial milestone and a step toward broader adoption of ecosparc® in protective coating applications. Future revenue generation will depend on market acceptance and sales performance of PV PAINT’s products.

The contents of the announcement were mutually agreed upon by both parties.

About PV Paint

Petro Vietnam Paint Joint Stock Company (PV PAINT) is a member of Vietnam’s National Industry Energy Group (PetroVietnam), one of the country’s largest integrated energy conglomerates. The company focuses on innovation and sustainable development through continuous improvement of coating product quality, adoption of environmentally conscious manufacturing processes, and application of advanced technologies across marine, offshore, industrial, and civil coating markets.

PV PAINT continues to invest in research, product development, and technological advancement to strengthen its position in Vietnam’s protective coatings sector and deliver high performance coating solutions designed for demanding operating environments.

About ecosparc® A Performance Additive for Protective Coatings

Sparc Technologies has conducted more than six years of research and development on ecosparc®, its graphene based additive range for protective coatings. Testing and commercial applications have demonstrated improvements in coating performance, contributing to enhanced durability, reliability, safety, and cost effectiveness of steel infrastructure protection systems.

Protective coatings enhanced with ecosparc® have been commercialised by AkzoNobel and PV PAINT, while additional coatings manufacturers continue product evaluation and testing activities. Sparc is also conducting field trials with infrastructure asset owners across a range of corrosive environments.

Target sectors include government, defence, mining, and oil and gas organisations, representing key customer groups within the global protective and marine coatings industry, which is estimated to be worth US$33 billion.

The potential addressable market for ecosparc® within the broader anticorrosive protective coatings sector is estimated by Sparc at approximately US$1.0 billion annually. This estimate is based on the company's assessment of the proportion of global protective and marine coating products that may be suitable for ecosparc® applications, combined with its projected pricing assumptions for 2030. As with any addressable market estimate, access to this opportunity remains subject to various commercial and market adoption barriers.

About Sparc Technologies 

Sparc Technologies Limited (Sparc; ASX: SPN) is an Australian technology company developing solutions that enhance environmental and sustainability outcomes for global industries. Sparc has two transformative technology areas in which it works: green hydrogen and graphene enhanced materials. Sparc conducts research and development in house and has extensive engagement and relationships with the university sector in Australia and globally.

Sparc has developed and commercialised a graphene additive product, ecosparc®, which at low dosages significantly improves the performance of commercially available epoxy based protective coatings. Sparc has commissioned a manufacturing facility to produce ecosparc® and is engaging with global coatings companies and large asset owners on testing, trials and commercial partnerships.

Sparc Hydrogen is a joint venture between Sparc Technologies, Fortescue Ltd and the Adelaide University which is pioneering next generation green hydrogen production technology. Photocatalytic water splitting (PWS) is an emerging method to produce green hydrogen without electrolysers, using only sunlight, water and a photocatalyst. Given lower infrastructure requirements and energy use, PWS has the potential to deliver cost and flexibility advantages over existing hydrogen production methods.

Researchers at the National Graphene Institute have developed a new antimicrobial coating that could enhance hygiene standards across healthcare, consumer, and industrial applications. The research was conducted in collaboration with medical technology company Smith & Nephew and led by Prof. Rahul R. Nair. The findings have been published in the journal Small.

Silver has been widely used as an antibacterial agent, particularly in wound care, due to its ability to release ions that disrupt bacterial cells. However, existing silver based technologies face several challenges. Silver ions can be released too rapidly or inconsistently, potentially harming healthy tissue, and the quantities used are often not considered sustainable.

To address these limitations, the research team developed a graphene oxide membrane capable of delivering silver ions in a slow and controlled manner over extended periods. The membrane's nanoscale channels function as filters, regulating the amount of silver released and enabling more precise delivery.

"Our research represents a paradigm shift in antimicrobial coating technology," states lead author Prof Nair. "By harnessing the potential of graphene oxide membranes, we've unlocked a method for controlled silver ion release, paving the way for sustained antimicrobial efficacy in various applications."

The researchers also developed a testing model designed to better replicate biological conditions. By incorporating fetal bovine serum into laboratory experiments, the team was able to simulate the environment the coating would encounter within the body, providing a more accurate assessment of its long term performance.

"This approach allows us to deliver just the right amount of silver for extended protection," first author Dr. Swathi Suran adds. "It has potential in many areas, including wound care dressings and antimicrobial coatings for implants, and could bring long term benefits for both patients and health care providers."

Future research will focus on integrating the coating into a variety of medical and everyday products. The technology could help improve the management of bacterial contamination and contribute to reducing the impact of antimicrobial resistance across multiple applications.

The terahertz (THz) frequency range, positioned between microwaves and infrared radiation, has attracted significant interest for its potential applications in wireless communications, security imaging and nondestructive sensing. Despite its promise, progress has been constrained by the limited availability of compact and dynamically tunable components capable of controlling THz beams in real time.

Metasurfaces, which are ultrathin structures composed of subwavelength resonators, have demonstrated remarkable capabilities for manipulating electromagnetic waves. However, most existing metasurfaces are fixed after fabrication, restricting their use in applications that require dynamic functionality.

In a study published in Light: Advanced Manufacturing, a research team led by Professor Yan Zhang from Capital Normal University, China, in collaboration with scientists from Beijing Jiaotong University, the Moscow Center for Advanced Studies, the Prokhorov General Physics Institute of RAS, the University of Otago, Harbin Institute of Technology and the Skolkovo Institute of Science and Technology, introduced stretchable THz metasurfaces based on single walled carbon nanotube (SWCNT) films integrated with a silicone substrate. The approach enables dynamic control of THz wavefronts through mechanical stretching.

The researchers summarized their findings, stating, "Unlike conventional plasmonic metasurfaces, which rely on metallic patterns that are prone to cracking under strain, our SWCNT based design leverages the intrinsic elasticity and high electrical conductivity of the nanotubes to maintain optical functionality over repeated deformation cycles."

They further explained, "We designed and experimentally demonstrated two functional SWCNT based metasurfaces. Each metasurface device has an area of 21 mm × 21 mm and consists of 60 × 60 rectangular rods of SWCNT film with different orientations, supported by a silicone substrate."

The first device functions as a focal length tunable metasurface lens. According to the researchers, "When a 0.35 THz left handed circularly polarized wave passes through the lens, its right handed circularly polarized component focuses at a distance of 19.4 mm. By applying uniform mechanical stretching to the sample, the focal point continuously shifts backward as the stretching strain increases, resulting in a significant increase in the focal length."

The researchers added, "The image above presents photographs of the fabricated SWCNT metasurface lens and the stretching fixture, along with the experimentally measured evolution of the optical field."

The second device operates as a dynamic beam steering off axis metasurface lens. The team reported that mechanical stretching enables both longitudinal movement of the focal point and lateral beam deflection. Experimental measurements showed that in the unstretched state, the focal point was positioned at z = 19.9 mm with a beam deflection angle of 19.69°.

They further noted, "When the stretching factor (A) is increased to 1.2, the focal point shifts to 27.7 mm, and the beam deflection angle changes from 19.69° to 16.01°, corresponding to a relative deflection shift of 3.68°. These experimental results validate the capability of mechanically tunable beam steering for terahertz waves."

Discussing future prospects, the researchers stated, "The presented technique opens a new avenue for smart, lightweight and wearable THz components."

They added, "We envision this platform evolving into fully programmable and adaptive photonic systems, where THz beams can be manipulated as effortlessly as one stretches a rubber sheet. Such capabilities will be instrumental for future 6G wireless networks, real time security screening and intelligent human device interactive interfaces."

A Texas based firm has filed a provisional patent for its next generation self lubricating aerospace composite, Carbon Fiber Max GX F. The material is intended for aviation, aerospace, defense, and industrial applications, offering high strength, durability, wear resistance, and manufacturability.

The patent filing expands the company's intellectual property portfolio and serves as the foundation for a new family of advanced materials designed to bridge the gap between traditional engineering plastics and conventional carbon fiber composites.

Proprietary architecture utilizes carbon nanotubes

Developed by Carbon Fiber Max, GX F incorporates a proprietary architecture that combines carbon nanotubes, tungsten disulfide nanotubes, graphene nanoplatelets, and advanced thermoplastic matrices. This design creates lightweight, high performance composite systems that can be injection molded into complex geometries while maintaining strong mechanical and tribological characteristics.

“The filing of this provisional patent represents a major milestone for Carbon Fiber Max™ and our long term vision of redefining what advanced materials can achieve,” said Milton Arch, CEO of Carbon Fiber Max.

“GX F is more than a new formulation. It is a platform technology designed to unlock opportunities across aerospace, defense, electric aircraft, robotics, advanced mobility, and next generation manufacturing.”

Designed with scalability and manufacturability

According to the company, GX F has been developed with scalability and manufacturability as key considerations. Unlike many conventional composite materials that require labor intensive production methods, the material is designed to support efficient manufacturing of components across a range of industries.

The company stated that GX F could help address persistent challenges associated with traditional composite materials, including wear, friction, manufacturing complexity, and long term durability.

As demand grows for lighter, stronger, and more efficient materials, Carbon Fiber Max believes GX F could support opportunities with aircraft manufacturers, defense contractors, advanced mobility developers, robotics companies, and industrial original equipment manufacturers seeking alternatives to conventional composites, according to a company press release.

The filing may also create opportunities for future licensing agreements, strategic partnerships, joint development initiatives, and industry specific formulations tailored to aerospace, defense, transportation, and advanced manufacturing requirements.

A key characteristic of the GX F platform is its nanoengineered design approach. By integrating advanced nanoscale reinforcement technologies into the composite structure, the material is intended to enhance mechanical strength, thermal resistance, and long term durability.

The composite platform could also have applications in hypersonic systems, advanced drones, military aircraft, and space related technologies, where lightweight and high performance materials are critical to operational success. The patent filing reflects Carbon Fiber Max’s objective of establishing itself as a supplier of advanced composite solutions for commercial and defense sectors.

The provisional patent filing represents another step in the company’s broader intellectual property strategy. Patent protection is expected to help safeguard its innovations while supporting ongoing development and commercialization efforts.

Reproduced with Permission from Composites World

Autoneum (Winterthur, Switzerland) is publicly debuting its novel composite battery lid prototype, a multifunctional component that simplifies battery pack design while meeting the key safety and performance requirements of modern battery-electric vehicles (BEV).

Functionally, the battery lid is conceived as a highly adaptable top cover for the battery pack. Its composite structure allows the integration of additional functional layers, such as flame-retardant (FR) layers or electromagnetic shielding, depending on vehicle and platform requirements. 

“By consolidating functions that previously required multiple individual components — such as a separate battery lid and a flame shield — our solution reduces assembly complexity and effort,” says Luca Mazzarella, head new mobility at Autoneum. “We can replace two or more parts with a single one.”

Manufactured using spray transfer molding (STM), the battery lid is glass fiber-reinforced polyurethane, offering high mechanical strength, formability for complex 3D shapes and tight radii, and thin part thickness for lightweight potential. The STM process achieves fast production cycles, design flexibility and 30% weight saving compared to traditional manufacturing methods.

From a safety perspective, the battery lid is a further development of Autoneum’s flame shield technology, achieving enhanced thermal and electrical insulation properties and improved thermal runaway confinement. Both the battery lid and flame shield are produced without mica, addressing sustainability and supply chain concerns associated with conventional flame protection materials. 

See original article here

Sydney,First Graphene Limited (ASX) announced on Tuesday that it has entered into a binding agreement to acquire all assets, intellectual property, and product lines of MITO Material Solutions, Inc., a United States based graphene technology company.

The acquisition includes MITO's E GO, LIGRA, OMEGA, and DELTA product lines, covering thermoset and thermoplastic materials, composite materials, coatings, and nanomaterial additives. Manufacturing equipment and production capabilities will also be transferred to First Graphene as part of the transaction.

MITO's products are currently used by several United States brands, including Parlor Skis, Folsom Custom Skis, and St. Croix Rods, for performance enhancement applications in sporting goods. According to the company's statement, MITO also has more than 25 clients engaged in late stage testing across a range of industries.

The transaction will be completed through a cash and stock consideration structure. The stock component will be allocated in two tranches, subject to MITO achieving specified product sales targets over a 24 month period.

The acquisition provides First Graphene with an operational presence in the United States and broadens its portfolio to include functionalized graphene and graphene oxide technologies. MITO has spent eight years developing expertise and intellectual property in these areas through research and development activities.

Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer Michael Bell stated that the acquisition "represents a transformational push into the USA market for First Graphene, immediately expanding the Company’s product portfolio further into graphene oxide and functionalised graphene technologies."

First Graphene is also listed on the Frankfurt Stock Exchange (FRA) and OTC Markets (OTCQB). The company manufactures graphene powders and dispersions for use in advanced material applications.

The acquisition comes as First Graphene maintains a market capitalization of $1.25 billion and generated revenue of $6.69 billion over the last twelve months. According to InvestingPro analysis, the company's shares appear undervalued at the current price of $2.27, potentially presenting an opportunity for investors as the business expands its operations in the United States. The company's Financial Health score is rated "GREAT" at 3.08 out of 5. InvestingPro also notes that First Graphene holds more cash than debt on its balance sheet, providing financial flexibility to support strategic acquisitions. Additional InvestingPro insights are available for investors seeking further information on the company's outlook.

The transaction marks First Graphene's entry into direct operational activities within the United States market for graphene based products and technologies.

In other recent developments, First Graphene Limited announced the acquisition of assets from Ionic Industries Inc. and its subsidiary, Imagine Intelligent Materials. Valued at AU$250,000, the transaction includes manufacturing assets, intellectual property, and development related resources.

The acquired assets comprise production infrastructure as well as established sales and distribution channels, particularly for graphene coating technologies. These technologies are already generating revenue and include formulations for geotextiles designed to improve barrier performance and conductivity properties.

The acquisition forms part of First Graphene's broader strategy to expand its capabilities and product offerings within the graphene sector. The company has not disclosed additional details regarding the expected impact of the acquisition on its financial performance. Market participants and stakeholders may continue to assess how the transaction supports First Graphene's long term business objectives.

Noctua and Carbice Launch NT CP1 AM5 4 Thermal Pad Using Carbon Nano Tube Technology to Replace Traditional Thermal Paste Indefinitely

Noctua and Carbice have announced a partnership and the release of their first jointly developed hardware product, the Noctua NT CP1 AM5 4 thermal pad. Designed as an alternative to traditional liquid thermal paste, the thermal interface is intended for use with AMD Ryzen AM5 and AM4 processors. According to the partnership announcement, the thermal pad is engineered to maintain its structural integrity indefinitely and is not expected to dry out or degrade in the way conventional thermal paste can over time.

Traditional silicon based thermal pads typically deteriorate as a result of repeated heating and cooling cycles. The NT CP1 AM5 4 instead utilizes a microscopic network of carbon nano tubes that physically conform to the surfaces of both the processor heat spreader and the cooler base, accommodating minor surface irregularities. According to the companies, thermal transfer performance can improve after hundreds or even thousands of power cycles as the carbon nano tubes gradually settle into the metal contact surfaces.

The thermal pad is designed to resist crumbling and drying due to its material composition. It consists of a carbon nano tube layer formed around an aluminum core and is enclosed within a protective polymer coating. This coating makes the pad electrically nonconductive, reducing the risk of electrical shorts during installation and operation. The material also provides sufficient adhesion to remain in place during installation while allowing clean removal without leaving residue.

As part of the agreement, Noctua has been designated as the exclusive retailer of Carbice technology within the PC hardware market. The arrangement enables Carbice to leverage Noctua's established retail distribution network to bring its thermal interface technology to PC builders and enthusiasts.

The product is currently scheduled for retail release later this year. Pricing information is expected to be announced closer to availability.

Graphene Manufacturing Group Ltd (TSXV: GMG, OTC: GMGMF) (OTCQX: GMGMF) ("GMG" or the "Company") has announced the submission of an additional application to the United States Environmental Protection Agency ("EPA") seeking approval for the manufacture and sale of graphene and graphene based products in the United States, including graphene coatings (THERMAL XR®), lubricants (G® LUBRICANT), and other graphene fluids.

The Company submitted a Significant New Use Notice ("SNUN") to the US EPA under pre manufacture notice (PMN) P 25 0018. Through this application, GMG is seeking authorization to manufacture, distribute, sell, use, and dispose of graphene, graphene coatings, lubricants, and fluids across multiple industries within the United States. The Company expects to receive approval by the end of June 2027.

The new application supplements the existing approval under PMN P 25 0018, which currently authorizes GMG to export, distribute, sell, use, and dispose of graphene coatings across multiple industries in the United States.

Craig Nicol, CEO and Managing Director of the Company, commented:

"Submitting the SNUN is a decisive step in our US strategy. This application, if approved, will grant GMG the authorisation to manufacture graphene domestically in the United States — not simply to export into the market, but to produce within it. That distinction matters. It positions GMG to serve US customers at scale, deepen our industrial footprint, and build a genuinely American supply chain for graphene enabled products. We expect EPA approval by the end of June 2027 and are planning our commercial operations accordingly."

Jack Perkowski, Chairman and Non Executive Director of the Company, commented:

"The United States is the most important market in the world for what GMG is building. This SNUN filing reflects our commitment to America — not just as a customer base, but as a centre of production, capital formation, and long term growth. We are looking to the US to drive the next chapter of GMG's commercial expansion."

About THERMAL XR®

THERMAL XR® ENHANCE is a coating system designed to improve the thermal conductivity of corroded heat exchange surfaces while helping new units maintain peak operating performance. The process coats and protects heat exchange surfaces, restores lost thermal conductivity caused by corrosion, and increases heat transfer rates through the application of GMG's graphene technology. These improvements can enhance operational efficiency and may reduce power consumption.

THERMAL XR® ENHANCE is protected by a 20 year patent in Australia, and patent protection is expected to be pursued or obtained in additional countries.

About G® LUBRICANT

G® LUBRICANT is a graphene liquid concentrate additive developed to improve the performance of diesel and gasoline engines. The product is designed to enhance engine efficiency and power output in both stationary and mobile applications.

The additive can be used with mineral or synthetic oils in internal combustion engines at a dosage ratio of 1:100. According to verification conducted by the University of Queensland and announced in February 2025, G® LUBRICANT demonstrated the ability to improve fuel efficiency by up to 8.4% in a diesel engine. The product is protected by 20 year patents in Europe, the United States, and China.

RSU Grants

Following its annual remuneration review, the Board of Directors approved the grant of a total of 783,590 Restricted Share Units ("RSUs") to employees and directors under the Company's Restricted Share and Performance Share Plan and Stock Option Plan.

Upon vesting, each RSU entitles the holder to receive one common share in accordance with the terms of the plan. Holders may independently determine how to use or manage those shares once received.

About GMG

GMG is an Australian clean technology company engaged in the development, manufacture, and sale of energy saving and energy storage solutions enabled by graphene produced through its proprietary manufacturing process.

The Company's technology decomposes natural gas, specifically methane, into carbon in the form of graphene, hydrogen, and residual hydrocarbon gases. This process is designed to produce graphene that is scalable, cost effective, customizable, and characterized by low levels of contaminants, making it suitable for a range of clean technology and industrial applications.

GMG's current focus is on reducing commercial and technical risk, expanding production capabilities, and securing market applications for its technologies.

Within the energy savings segment, the Company has initially focused on a graphene enhanced heating, ventilation, air conditioning, and refrigeration coating. The coating is also being marketed for use in electronic heat sinks, industrial process facilities, and data centres. GMG has additionally developed a graphene lubricant additive aimed at improving fuel efficiency, initially targeting diesel engine applications.

In the energy storage segment, GMG and the University of Queensland are collaborating, with support from the Australian Government, to advance research, development, and commercialization of graphene aluminium ion batteries (G+AI Batteries). The Company has also developed a graphene additive slurry intended to enhance the performance of lithium ion batteries.

GMG's four key business objectives are:

• Produce graphene and improve and scale cell production processes
  
• Build revenue from energy savings products
  
• Develop next generation battery technology
• Develop supply chain, partner networks, and project execution capabilities

Researchers at Spain’s Institute of Nanoscience and Materials of Aragon and the IMDEA Materials Institute have significantly improved the conductivity of carbon nanotube fibers by doping them with tetrachloroaluminate (AlCl4−). The process increases conductivity by a factor of 17, enabling the material to achieve nearly 40% of copper’s conductivity at room temperature. At peak performance, its specific conductivity exceeds that of aluminum while remaining six times lighter than copper. The development could have important implications for electric vehicles, drones, and electric aircraft.

The findings, published in Science on April 23, 2026, demonstrate that tetrachloroaluminate can enhance conductivity without damaging the nanotube structure. This advancement moves carbon nanotube fibers closer to metal like electrical performance while retaining their advantages in weight and mechanical strength. According to researchers from the Institute of Nanoscience and Materials of Aragon and the IMDEA Materials Institute, the results represent a meaningful improvement in specific conductivity, a key benchmark for industry applications.

A lighter future for electric vehicles?

Reducing vehicle weight remains a priority for improving range, performance, and cost efficiency in electric transportation. In this context, advances in wiring technology are particularly important. Researchers in Spain report that carbon nanotube fibers, already recognized for their low weight and high strength, can now carry substantially more electrical current.

If manufacturing can be scaled successfully, replacing portions of conventional copper wiring with carbon nanotube fibers could affect a range of applications, including electric vehicles, drones, and short range electric aircraft.

Overcoming conductivity roadblocks

Carbon nanotubes have long been considered promising materials because of their unique combination of strength and low density. However, their electrical conductivity has historically remained below that of metals such as copper, limiting broader adoption.

One of the main challenges has been increasing the number of charge carriers without disrupting the material’s internal structure. Recent laboratory results indicate a potential solution, bringing nanotube based conductors closer to the performance requirements of modern power electronics.

Breakthrough in conductivity enhancement

Researchers at the Institute of Nanoscience and Materials of Aragon and the IMDEA Materials Institute report that a chemical doping approach has produced substantial gains in conductivity. As described in Science on April 23, 2026, carbon nanotube fibers were treated with a tetrachloroaluminate dopant.

According to the study, this treatment increased conductivity by 17 times while maintaining the integrity of the nanotube structure, addressing a major obstacle in the development of practical carbon nanotube conductors.

Efficiency advantages and real world potential

The treated fibers achieve approximately 40% of copper’s conductivity at room temperature. When performance is evaluated relative to weight, their specific conductivity can exceed that of aluminum. In addition, the fibers are six times lighter than copper and exhibit roughly five times greater mechanical strength.

For transportation systems, these characteristics could reduce wiring mass, improve thermal performance under electrical loads, and allow more flexible packaging of wiring systems in confined spaces.

Implications for the transportation industry

The potential impact of this technology extends across multiple transportation sectors. Electric vehicle manufacturers seeking longer driving range could reduce vehicle weight by replacing selected copper wiring assemblies, particularly in high voltage systems.

Drone developers could benefit from lighter cabling that increases flight duration, while electric aviation programs may be able to reduce critical onboard weight. The study also suggests that the material demonstrates stable performance under dry conditions and acceptable tolerance to humidity, both of which are important considerations for safety requirements and long term operation across different climates.

Several challenges remain, including production costs, large scale manufacturing, connector compatibility, and end of life recycling. Nevertheless, the findings point to a clear direction for future development. If manufacturers can produce consistent carbon nanotube fibers at commercial scale, the technology could transition from research laboratories to practical wiring applications, potentially influencing how electric vehicles, unmanned aerial vehicles, and future electric aircraft distribute power throughout their structures.

The Tardigrade Sleeping System is engineered to function across both summer and winter camping conditions

Hong Kong based outdoor gear company Graphene X has entered the camping equipment market with the launch of its Tardigrade Sleeping System, a project currently seeking support through Kickstarter.

Inspired by the resilience of the tardigrade, an organism known for surviving extreme environmental conditions, the system incorporates advanced materials similar to those used in NASA space missions. The design aims to improve temperature regulation for campers across a wide range of outdoor conditions.

“We merge breakthrough materials science with human centered design to create apparel that doesn’t just cover you but empowers you,” said Graphene X.

The system offers solutions for all seasons

The Tardigrade Sleeping System is designed for use in both summer and winter camping environments. Developed as a modular solution, the system addresses the need for multiple season specific sleeping bags by providing adaptable configurations for varying weather conditions.

Three components make up this modular system

The system comprises three modular components: the Tardigrade Extreme, rated for temperatures as low as 30°C below zero (22°F below zero) and weighing 1.9 kg; the Tardigrade Lite, rated for temperatures down to 10°C below zero (14°F) and weighing 1.4 kg; and a modular cover

The cover weighs 334 g and contains 150 g/m² of Graphinsulate fill. It can be attached inside either sleeping bag using buckles to provide additional insulation and warmth.

Graphene material improves sleeping bag performance

The sleeping system utilizes graphene, a material consisting of a single layer of carbon atoms arranged in a hexagonal lattice. Graphene is incorporated for its thermal conductivity properties and its ability to maintain performance after repeated washing.

Aerogel technology adapts to various weather conditions

The system also incorporates aerogel, an ultra light material produced by replacing the liquid component of a gel with air. Aerogel is integrated into polyester fibers contained within internal fabric tubes that are designed to inflate or deflate in response to external temperatures.

This mechanism forms part of the Weather Adaptive Insulation (WAI) system, which is intended to adjust insulation performance under different weather conditions.

Specialized zippers allow for easier arm movement

To address mobility limitations associated with conventional sleeping bags, the Tardigrade system includes dedicated arm zippers. These zippers are designed to allow greater freedom of movement while minimizing the amount of cold air entering the sleeping bag.

Integrated hoops keep sleeping pad secure

The sleeping bags are compatible with inflatable mattresses measuring 220 × 56 to 65 × 8 cm. Stretchable hoops are incorporated into the design to secure the mattress and help prevent users from sliding off the sleeping pad during sleep.

Additional features enhance the overall sleep comfort

Both the Tardigrade Extreme and Tardigrade Lite models share dimensions of 210 × 80 × 50 cm. Additional features include an internal storage pocket and a graphene layer positioned at the foot section of the sleeping bag to provide extra warmth.

A new screening tool has been developed to rank diet relevant particles based on exposure likelihood and toxicological concern, enabling researchers to focus on nanoparticles and micro/nanoplastics that require more comprehensive safety evaluation.

In a recent research article published in Environment International, researchers introduced a semi quantitative probability impact framework to rank potential human health hazards associated with engineered nanoparticles and micro/nanoplastics in agri food systems. The framework integrates exposure potential and toxicological evidence to support screening level risk assessment and prioritization.

Nano Exposure in Food Systems

The growing presence of engineered nanoparticles (ENPs) and micro and nanoplastics in agricultural and food systems has raised concerns regarding oral exposure and potential health risks. ENPs such as nanosilver (Ag), titanium dioxide (TiO2), and zinc oxide (ZnO) are widely used in food contact materials, agriculture, and consumer products. Their widespread application contributes to their release into soils, water bodies, and crops.

Engineered nanoparticles vary considerably in physicochemical properties, production volumes, applications, environmental persistence, and toxicological characteristics, making hazard ranking a complex task. Commonly produced nanomaterials such as nano SiO2 and nano TiO2 are manufactured at large scales, while specialized nanoparticles including fullerenes and quantum dots are produced in smaller quantities.

Micro and nanoplastics add further complexity because of their diverse polymer compositions and varying environmental behaviors. Inconsistent and fragmented data related to production, exposure, and toxicity across different nanoparticle and microplastic types make direct comparisons and risk assessments difficult.

Existing nanomaterial prioritization methods, including multi criteria decision analysis and grouping approaches, provide useful insights but often do not fully account for the combined influence of production, exposure, and toxicity.

The study highlights a semi quantitative probability impact matrix framework as an effective approach that separately evaluates exposure likelihood and hazard severity, incorporates multiple forms of evidence, and quantifies uncertainty through probabilistic modeling.

Framework for Hazard Ranking

Meng and Nag developed a semi quantitative probability impact (P×I) framework to rank potential human health hazards arising from dietary exposure to anthropogenic particles, including engineered nanoparticles and micro and nanoplastics.

The probability component represents the relative likelihood of dietary exposure and includes six factors: annual global production, diversity of application sectors, predicted environmental concentrations (PECs), dissolution behavior, environmental persistence measured through a first order decay rate constant (k), and surface reactivity characterized by zeta potential.

The impact component assesses potential adverse health effects by integrating four toxicity related factors: predicted no effect concentrations (PNECs), half maximal effective concentrations (EC50), reference doses (RfD), and the lowest value among no observed adverse effect levels and lowest observed adverse effect levels (NOAEL/LOAEL).

These risk factors were transformed into percentile based dimensionless scores and combined under three weighting approaches: equal weighting, entropy weight method (EWM), and analytic hierarchy process (AHP).

Data supporting the framework were obtained from published literature covering nanomaterial production, environmental modeling, and toxicological studies. Monte Carlo simulations involving 100,000 iterations were used to propagate uncertainty across input variables, while Spearman rank order correlation analysis identified the primary contributors to ranking variability.

Priority Nanoparticle Insights

Across all weighting approaches and assessment scenarios, several engineered nanoparticles consistently appeared in the highest priority category for diet related risk assessment. Silver (Ag), titanium dioxide (TiO2), zinc oxide (ZnO), carbon nanotubes (CNTs), cerium dioxide (CeO2), and copper oxide (CuO) were consistently classified as high priority materials for screening level risk evaluation.

This classification resulted from a combination of exposure related indicators, including production levels, applications, environmental occurrence, and persistence, together with toxicological evidence rather than reliance on a single factor.

In contrast, materials such as silica (SiO2), aluminum oxide (Al2O3), fullerenes, gold (Au), iron oxide (Fe2O3), and both micro and nanoplastics generally occupied intermediate positions in the rankings. Predicted environmental concentrations and production volumes emerged as the most influential drivers of ranking variability, highlighting the importance of both exposure potential and usage scale in hazard prioritization.

The framework also demonstrated that some particles received lower rankings primarily because of limited toxicity data rather than lower intrinsic hazard. This finding emphasizes the need for additional targeted toxicological research. Nanoplastics, in particular, represent an emerging concern, although their lower ranking partly reflects existing knowledge gaps regarding nanoplastic specific toxicity and environmental behavior.

The incorporation of probabilistic scoring and uncertainty analysis provides a robust screening level foundation for comparing nanoparticles with varying levels of available data. The framework also identifies critical knowledge gaps that warrant further investigation. In addition, it offers a transparent and adaptable prioritization tool to support targeted monitoring and hazard assessment within agri food systems.

Implications and Future Directions

The study introduces an integrated method for ranking engineered nanoparticles and micro/nanoplastics according to their potential human health hazards from dietary exposure. By combining exposure related probability factors with toxicity based impact measures within a unified probability impact framework, the methodology addresses challenges associated with heterogeneous datasets and variability among particle types.

Silver, TiO2, ZnO, CNTs, CeO2, and CuO were identified as priority candidates for detailed toxicological investigation, focused monitoring efforts, and more refined risk assessments.

The methodology explicitly accounts for uncertainty and provides a flexible, updateable platform that supports evidence based nano risk governance in food safety. Importantly, it distinguishes between particles that genuinely present lower risk and those for which available data remain insufficient, helping direct resources toward the most critical research priorities.

As scientific evidence continues to expand, this framework can assist regulators and researchers in efficiently prioritizing engineered nanoparticles for screening level evaluation and targeted assessment within agri food systems.

Stratasys, a leading company in the field of additive manufacturing, has announced the signing of a definitive agreement to acquire Markforged, a specialist in 3D printing. Markforged is a wholly owned subsidiary of Nano Dimension, a technology company that initially developed Additively Manufactured Electronics (AME), a proprietary technology used in the production of printed circuit boards and other electronic devices.

The transaction will be completed as an all cash deal valued at $42.5 million (€36.53 million), subject to customary adjustments. Completion is expected during the second half of 2026, pending customary closing conditions and regulatory approvals. Nano Dimension will retain Markforged’s Metal Binder Jetting product line, which contributed approximately $70 million (€60.17 million) to Markforged’s revenue in 2025.

The acquisition is expected to expand Stratasys’ distribution network and strengthen its presence in industries that currently use Markforged products, including aerospace, defence, automotive, and food processing. Markforged provides end to end Fused Filament Fabrication (FFF) solutions through its Digital Forge platform, which integrates hardware, proprietary materials, and software tools for simulation, part management, and automated print optimisation. The company also develops continuous carbon fibre technology that enables the production of lightweight, high strength components beyond the capabilities of conventional FFF technologies.

Addition of Markforged’s Continuous Carbon Fibre Technology to the Stratasys Portfolio

The acquisition is expected to enhance the Stratasys portfolio through the addition of advanced composite manufacturing capabilities enabled by Markforged’s continuous carbon fibre technology. Integrated with FFF 3D printing systems, the technology allows manufacturers, particularly in the aerospace and defence sectors, to rapidly produce lightweight and high strength components such as tooling, fasteners, ground support equipment, and selected production parts.

“This acquisition further advances our capabilities to meet customers’ growing needs in critical areas such as defence and aerospace at a time when additive manufacturing continues to displace traditional manufacturing for high requirement applications in production,” said Dr. Yoav Zeif, Chief Executive Officer of Stratasys. “We believe that our teams can immediately reinvigorate revenue growth by adding MarkForged, Inc.’s products and software systems as we leverage our leading partner networks. We are confident this transaction will strengthen Stratasys’ position in many of the largest and most structurally critical industries where performance, supply chain resilience, reliability and scalability are essential.”

The acquisition is also expected to provide Stratasys with complementary software capabilities, particularly in manufacturing workflow management and remote printing. These additions are anticipated to support the company’s broader digital manufacturing initiatives. The transaction will further expand the available filament portfolio and increase access to partners and resellers.

Following completion of the acquisition, Stratasys expects improvements in gross margins, the realisation of significant cost synergies, and a positive contribution to EBITDA within the first year.

EcoGraf secures €2M EIB grant and $105M KfW loan for HFfree® graphite tech, receives India patent, advances Epanko project, and partners with Foxconn affiliate

The gap between operational developments and market sentiment appears to be narrowing for EcoGraf Ltd. The Australian graphite and gold developer has recently received two significant institutional endorsements. The European Investment Bank (EIB) approved a €2 million grant as part of a broader €6.2 million funding package, while the mandate from KfW IPEX Bank for a secured loan of up to $105 million under Germany’s UFK guarantee remains active. Together, these developments indicate growing recognition of the company’s HFfree® graphite purification technology among state backed financial institutions seeking alternative battery material supply chains outside China.

The EIB approval followed an extensive assessment of the HFfree® purification process, which removes the need for toxic hydrofluoric acid in graphite refining. The review examined seven potential facility locations across Asia, Europe, and the United States. Findings from the evaluation estimated average purification costs of approximately $478 per tonne of spherical graphite. For the proposed US facility with an annual production capacity of 25,000 tonnes, integrated production costs are projected at $1,441 per tonne. The project is expected to require an initial capital investment of $95 million and is forecast to generate an internal rate of return of 42% and annual EBITDA of approximately $42 million.

EcoGraf also strengthened its intellectual property position following the grant of an Indian patent for its HFfree® technology in May. Patent number 587710 remains valid until May 2041 and covers battery anodes, high purity specialty graphite, and lithium ion battery recycling applications. The patent approval comes as India’s electric vehicle battery demand is expected to reach 256 GWh by 2032. At the same time, the Indian government is reviewing tax incentives aimed at supporting domestic supply chains for anode and cathode materials, with a formal proposal anticipated within three months. By 2030, demand for anode materials in India alone could exceed 200,000 tonnes, supported by planned battery manufacturing capacity of 223 GWh.

In Tanzania, progress continues at the Epanko graphite project. The appointment of NMB Bank Plc is intended to facilitate compensation payments to residents affected by the access road development, a key requirement before a final investment decision can be made. Following completion of this phase, site mobilisation and construction activities could commence shortly after the final investment decision. The Epanko deposit, located within the Mahenge Branch, contains an estimated 290.8 million tonnes grading 7.2% total carbon, equivalent to approximately 21 million tonnes of contained graphite.

Further downstream, a memorandum of understanding signed in March with Taiwan based Long Time Technology, an affiliate of Foxconn, provides access to battery and electronics supply chains outside mainland China. The agreement covers HFfree® technology licensing, offtake arrangements, and the development of battery anode production capacity in Southeast Asia and Taiwan. The collaboration is intended to support access to markets seeking alternative sources of battery materials.

The company’s gold assets in Tanzania are also progressing. AngloGold Ashanti is fully funding exploration activities at the Golden Eagle project, with the 2026 field season focused on the Winston BIF structure. AngloGold’s nearby Geita mine produced 483,000 ounces of gold in 2024, highlighting the geological prospectivity of the region. For the broader Golden Frontier portfolio, strategic options under consideration include partnership with a major producer, independent advancement of exploration activities, or asset divestment.

Recent operational developments have also been reflected in the company’s share price performance. The stock traded at €0.23, representing a gain of approximately 27% over the previous seven trading sessions and remaining slightly above its 50 day moving average. Despite this increase, the share price remains nearly 39% below its 52 week high of €0.38. Over the past 12 months, the stock has gained 30%, although six month relative performance trails Australia’s ASX All Ordinaries index by 42%. As of March, the company reported cash reserves of A$6.2 million and had invested more than $30 million in developing its graphite platform.

Market attention remains focused on the final investment decision for the Epanko project, along with the execution of binding offtake agreements and project financing arrangements required to support development. The KfW IPEX Bank mandate provides a financing framework incorporating senior debt, equity participation, and strategic investment. The EIB grant is expected to reduce reliance on capital markets during the early stages of project development. With an expanding patent portfolio and established strategic partnerships, the company has advanced several key components of its growth strategy. The pace at which these elements progress toward implementation remains a key consideration for investors.

Every year, Micro X marks what it refers to as its "Independence Day," a significant milestone in the company's history and a turning point that helped shape its ongoing technological direction.

The date commemorates the successful development of the company's first carbon nanotube emitter and high current Nano Electronic X ray (NEX) Technology X ray tube.

The creation of the NEX tube represented a major engineering accomplishment. For Micro X, it marked the point at which a long standing technological concept became a practical reality.

Challenging Conventional X ray Technology

Traditional X ray systems rely on hot cathode technology, a design that has remained largely unchanged for more than a century. While effective, these systems are typically large, consume significant power, and involve complex mechanical components.

Micro X was established with the belief that X ray imaging could be approached differently

The company identified the potential of carbon nanotubes (CNTs) to fundamentally alter the process of X ray generation. CNTs offered the possibility of cold cathode emission, enabling electron generation without heating a filament to extremely high temperatures.

This approach presented potential advantages in size, weight, power efficiency, and system controllability.

However, achieving stable, high current cold cathode X ray generation suitable for medical imaging had historically proven to be an exceptionally difficult challenge.

The Creation of the First CNT Emitter

In 2018, Micro X achieved a major breakthrough with the successful development of its first carbon nanotube emitter.

This emitter became the foundation of the company's proprietary Nano Electronic X ray (NEX) Technology platform.

The milestone reflected years of research, engineering development, and sustained effort by a multidisciplinary team of physicists and engineers working to address one of the most complex challenges in imaging technology.

The CNT emitter demonstrated the capability to generate reliable electron emission using a cold cathode architecture. This represented a critical step toward the development of a commercially viable X ray tube.

The achievement marked the beginning of a new phase in the company's technological development.

The First NEX Technology X ray Tube

In May 2019, following the successful development of the emitter, Micro X reached another significant milestone with the creation and testing of its first X ray tube based on CNT emitter technology.

This achievement transformed the technology from a scientific concept into a functional imaging platform.

Testing confirmed that stable, high current cold cathode X ray generation could operate in a practical, controllable, and repeatable manner suitable for real world applications.

The platform became known as Nano Electronic X ray (NEX) Technology, Micro X's proprietary carbon nanotube based X ray system.

This milestone became a foundational achievement for the company, providing the technological validation upon which future developments would be built.

From X ray to CT Imaging

Micro X initially commercialized its NEX Technology through mobile X ray systems, demonstrating the technology in clinical environments where reliability, image quality, and workflow efficiency are critical.

Today, the company's Rover mobile radiology systems are used in hospitals, healthcare networks, and professional sports settings around the world.

The long term vision for the technology extends beyond mobile X ray imaging.

Micro X is currently developing advanced CT imaging systems that leverage the advantages of cold cathode CNT technology to explore new approaches to computed tomography.

Unlike conventional CT systems that depend on mechanically rotating gantries, the company's technology enables the use of multiple electronically controlled X ray tubes with extremely fast switching capabilities.

This capability creates opportunities for compact, lightweight, and highly mobile CT systems intended for point of care and prehospital imaging applications.

Key development programs include:

• A portable Head CT system designed to support earlier stroke diagnosis closer to the patient.
• A next generation Full Body CT system being developed under the ARPA H PARADIGM program in the United States.
• Next generation Baggage CT scanners integrated into modular Airport Passenger Self Screening Checkpoints.
• Continued development of miniature X ray and CT technologies for medical and security applications.

These initiatives build upon years of ongoing innovation that originated with the development of the first CNT emitter and the first NEX Technology X ray tube.

Reaching for the Stars

What began as an ambitious engineering challenge has evolved into a technology platform with the potential to influence how and where imaging is performed.

From the successful development of the first CNT emitter to pioneering approaches in three dimensional CT imaging, the history of Micro X has been characterized by scientific curiosity, technical determination, and a commitment to pursuing solutions that were widely regarded as difficult to achieve.

The company's annual Independence Day observance serves as more than a reflection on a technical milestone.

It also highlights the mindset that continues to guide its research and development efforts.

The principle underlying this approach is that significant technological advances often begin with a willingness to challenge established boundaries.

In an era of rapid advancements in material science, additive manufacturing continues to expand the possibilities of engineering and industrial design. One notable development is the incorporation of continuous carbon fiber into ceramic matrix composites (CMCs) through three dimensional (3D) printing. Research published by Ye and Binner in npj Advanced Manufacturing presents a method for fabricating silicon carbide (SiC) ceramic matrix composites reinforced with continuous carbon fibers, offering a new approach to the production of high performance composite materials.

Ceramic matrix composites are valued for their thermal stability and wear resistance, but their broader structural use has been limited by brittleness and manufacturing complexity. Silicon carbide based CMCs are particularly important for aerospace, nuclear, and automotive applications because they can maintain mechanical performance under extreme operating conditions. However, conventional manufacturing methods often involve complex processing steps, high costs, and restrictions on component geometry due to the challenges of integrating reinforcement materials into brittle ceramic matrices.

The research conducted by Ye and Binner addresses these limitations by using 3D printing to embed continuous carbon fibers within a silicon carbide matrix. Unlike traditional approaches that rely on short fibers or particulate reinforcements, the use of continuous fibers enhances directional toughness, mechanical anisotropy, and load transfer efficiency. The continuous fibers serve as pathways for stress distribution, improving fracture toughness and reducing the likelihood of crack propagation.

The manufacturing process involves precise control over fiber placement and matrix infiltration throughout the additive manufacturing sequence. This approach enables the integration of high strength carbon fibers into a ceramic matrix while maintaining fiber alignment and preserving matrix integrity. Adjustments to printing parameters and chamber conditions allow the process to achieve effective fiber matrix bonding while retaining fiber continuity in components with complex geometries.

An important feature of the technique is its adaptability to a wide range of composite architectures. Conventional manufacturing methods such as lay up and filament winding often impose geometric limitations and require extensive post processing. In contrast, the 3D printing approach enables the production of near net shape components with complex internal structures and graded material properties. This capability allows designs to be tailored to specific performance requirements while minimizing weight and material usage.

The potential industrial applications of these materials are significant. In aerospace, such composites could be used in turbine blades, exhaust systems, and structural components exposed to elevated temperatures and mechanical loads. Automotive manufacturers may benefit from lightweight and durable components produced using this method. The nuclear sector could also apply these materials in environments that require resistance to high temperatures and radiation exposure.

From a materials science perspective, the integration of continuous carbon fibers into ceramic matrices through additive manufacturing represents a significant development in composite fabrication. The study examines the chemical and mechanical characteristics of the fiber matrix interface, which plays a critical role in load transfer and long term durability. The interaction between carbon fibers and silicon carbide affects not only mechanical properties but also thermal and chemical stability. Characterization results indicate limited interfacial degradation, preserving the performance of the reinforcing fibers while maintaining matrix cohesion.

The research also demonstrates the ability to control fiber orientation on a layer by layer basis. This level of control allows engineers to tailor anisotropic properties according to specific loading conditions. Components can therefore be designed to withstand directional stresses more effectively, an advantage for safety critical applications. The control of fiber orientation may also influence thermal conductivity and resistance characteristics, which are important factors in high temperature operating environments.

Several longstanding challenges associated with ceramic 3D printing are addressed in the study, including powder handling, sintering procedures, and shrinkage during densification. By incorporating continuous fibers early in the manufacturing process and optimizing matrix consolidation, the researchers balance densification requirements with fiber preservation. This strategy helps reduce defects such as microcracks and voids that can negatively affect composite performance.

The study also outlines potential opportunities for hybrid material systems. These include combining carbon fibers with other reinforcement materials and modifying the silicon carbide matrix to introduce additional functionalities. Such approaches could lead to multifunctional composites capable of meeting structural, thermal, electrical, or self healing requirements. Additive manufacturing provides a platform for developing these complex material systems through precise control of composition and microstructure.

Sustainability considerations are also relevant to the manufacturing approach. Additive manufacturing generally produces less material waste than subtractive methods, an advantage when working with costly ceramic powders and carbon fibers. The ability to fabricate complex parts in fewer processing steps with reduced machining requirements may contribute to lower production costs and reduced environmental impact.

Mechanical testing results reported in the study indicate improvements in tensile strength, fracture toughness, and fatigue resistance when compared with conventional silicon carbide ceramics and traditionally manufactured fiber reinforced composites. These findings demonstrate the practical potential of the manufacturing method and suggest possible future industrial adoption.

Although the technology remains at an early stage of development, the research establishes a foundation for further investigation. Future studies may explore alternative reinforcement materials, different matrix chemistries, and advanced post processing techniques such as hot isostatic pressing and laser annealing. These efforts could further refine microstructural characteristics and improve material performance. The work highlights the benefits of integrating materials science, engineering, and additive manufacturing technologies.

The three dimensional printing of continuous carbon fiber reinforced silicon carbide ceramic matrix composites represents a notable advancement in composite manufacturing. By combining established engineering materials with the design flexibility and precision of additive manufacturing, the approach enables the production of components with enhanced strength, toughness, and geometric complexity. As industries seek materials capable of meeting increasingly demanding performance requirements, this technology offers a potential pathway for future development.

The research also reflects broader trends toward digitally designed and structurally optimized material systems. The combination of computational design tools and advanced manufacturing techniques may influence applications across sectors such as aerospace, energy, transportation, and infrastructure.

Future developments are likely to focus on automation and real time process monitoring to improve manufacturing consistency and reliability. The integration of machine learning and artificial intelligence driven design tools may further enhance the ability to optimize mechanical performance and multifunctional characteristics across multiple scales. Within this context, the work of Ye and Binner provides an important contribution to the advancement of ceramic matrix composite manufacturing.

In conclusion, the study presents a new approach to producing ceramic matrix composites by combining continuous carbon fiber reinforcement with the thermal and chemical stability of silicon carbide through additive manufacturing. The research demonstrates the potential for improved mechanical performance, greater design flexibility, and expanded application opportunities for advanced composite materials

Carbice, a U.S. based developer and supplier of next generation carbon nanotube thermal interface materials (TIMs) and high performance cooling solutions, has announced a long term strategic partnership with Noctua, an Austrian manufacturer specializing in premium quiet PC cooling solutions. Under the agreement, Noctua will serve as the exclusive distributor of Carbice® IP90 thermal pads for DIY PC builders, positioning them as a no maintenance alternative to conventional thermal paste. The two companies will also collaborate on future product development initiatives aimed at delivering new cooling technologies for PC gaming applications.

The partnership marks the first direct worldwide consumer availability of Carbice's carbon nanotube thermal pad technology. Unlike traditional thermal pastes, which typically require periodic reapplication due to performance degradation, Carbice® IP90 thermal pads are designed to maintain consistent thermal performance throughout a system's operational life. The technology is also engineered to enhance heat transfer capabilities over time.

"The thermal interface has been treated as a consumable for as long as PCs have existed, with builders accepting that performance will fade and paste will need to be reapplied," said Baratunde Cola, CEO and founder of Carbice. "In late 2025, we partnered with CyberPowerPC to offer the Ice Pad as a pre applied upgrade, and this week, AMD announced it as part of its Ryzen™ 7 5800X3D bundle. Now, with Noctua, we're bringing the power of the Carbice® IP90 thermal pads to all DIY builders who want to maintain performance and reliability, and never re paste again."

Carbice thermal pads are constructed using vertically aligned carbon nanotubes attached to a thin aluminum backbone and coated with a nanoscale polymer layer. This design provides several key advantages for DIY PC builders.

• Performance that improves with use:As systems undergo repeated thermal cycling, the carbon nanotubes gradually conform to microscopic surface structures. This process improves heat transfer performance over time rather than suffering from common degradation mechanisms such as pump out, dry out, cracking, or delamination.
• Clean, repeatable installation:The aluminum backbone provides sufficient rigidity for handling, while the nanotubes possess enough surface adhesion to remain in position during installation. The installation process eliminates the need for syringes, spreading patterns, or cleanup. Components can also be removed cleanly, helping preserve their condition and potential resale value.
• Zero maintenance:The thermal pads require no reapplication, ongoing monitoring, or maintenance planning related to performance degradation.

Unlike many carbon or graphite based thermal pads that may be brittle, slippery, or difficult to install, Carbice thermal pads are engineered for mechanical durability and provide three dimensional heat spreading capabilities. This architecture also enables deployment in demanding environments, including satellites, aerospace systems, and AI data centers.

"Carbice's unique, innovative TIM technology has already proven to be a game changer in applications that demand ultimate reliability," said Roland Mossig, CEO of Noctua. "We are confident that the superior long term performance, ease of use, and dependability of Carbice pads will be a level up for PC enthusiasts. We are excited to bring them to market and to collaborate with Carbice on future R&D."

The NT CP1 AM5/4 thermal pad has been validated for AMD Ryzen™ AM5 and AM4 processors. It incorporates the same vertically aligned carbon nanotube technology that Carbice supplies for satellites, aerospace systems, and AI infrastructure, packaged in a peel and stick format designed for consumer CPUs.

Carbice® IP90 thermal pads are currently available as a pre applied option in gaming desktop systems from CyberPowerPC. The NT CP1 AM5/4 will be demonstrated at Noctua's booth during Computex 2026, taking place from June 2 to June 5, and is scheduled to become available for purchase in September 2026.

An Omani researcher and an international team have developed an innovative concrete mix incorporating banana peel waste, offering a potential approach to improving sustainability in the construction industry while enhancing building performance.

Almuataz Hamood Al Aghbari, a final year PhD candidate in Civil Engineering at RMIT University, recently published the findings in the Journal of Building Engineering, a leading publication in the construction and civil engineering field.

The study, conducted in collaboration with researchers Rajeev Roychand, Jaswanth Singh, Mohammed Saberian, Shannon Kilmartin, Jie Li, and Chun Qing Li, examined the use of banana peel biochar as a partial replacement for natural sand in concrete production.

Speaking to Muscat Daily, Al Aghbari stated that the research demonstrated a significant improvement in concrete performance, with compressive strength increasing by 24.7% after seven days compared with conventional concrete.

“The idea emerged from the growing environmental concerns surrounding organic waste disposal and the unsustainable extraction of natural sand,” Al Aghbari said. “Banana peels are generated in large quantities worldwide and are often discarded. We wanted to convert this waste into a valuable construction material while reducing pressure on natural resources.”

According to the study, improved early age strength is particularly valuable in the construction sector because it can facilitate faster formwork removal, accelerate project timelines, and potentially reduce overall construction costs.

The project builds on the team's earlier research involving coffee waste biochar concrete and forms part of broader efforts to support circular economy practices within the construction industry.

Al Aghbari noted that achieving consistent biochar quality represented a major challenge. Extensive laboratory testing was required to address variations in moisture content and chemical composition commonly found in organic waste materials.

The findings indicated that banana peel biochar concrete achieved performance levels comparable to conventional concrete after 28 days. However, additional long term durability assessments remain ongoing.

As sustainability continues to be a major priority for the global construction sector, the technology is considered to have significant commercial potential.

“Recycling organic waste can simultaneously reduce landfill volumes and lower the demand for construction materials,” he said.

The research team is currently investigating additional agricultural and food waste streams that could be converted into biochar for future construction applications, further supporting the development of sustainable engineering solutions for the built environment.

Independent cost validation indicates that EcoGraf can produce 99.99% pure spherical graphite at an average operating cost of $478 per tonne, positioning the company as a potential alternative source of battery grade graphite amid tightening Chinese export restrictions.

The latest assessment of EcoGraf’s patented HFfree® purification technology provides new data in the effort to diversify global graphite supply chains. Released on 29 May, the independent study found that the company could achieve production costs averaging $478 per tonne across seven potential processing sites located in Asia, Europe, and North America.

The findings come at a time when China, which accounts for approximately three quarters of global natural graphite production, is increasing export restrictions. The most recent measures affected shipments to Japan in January. In addition, a temporary export window for lithium ion batteries is scheduled to expire in November 2026, increasing pressure on manufacturers to secure alternative supply sources. The study also demonstrates that the process remains economically viable when facilities are located near battery manufacturing centres in Western markets, addressing concerns about the cost of decentralised supply chains.

For a fully integrated facility in the United States with annual production capacity of 25,000 tonnes, operating costs are estimated at approximately $1,441 per tonne. The project would require an initial capital investment of $95 million. According to company estimates, such a facility could generate annual EBITDA of $42 million and deliver an internal rate of return of 42%. Operating costs vary between $359 and $571 per tonne depending on regional factors such as energy prices, labour expenses, and infrastructure. Reduced reagent consumption and lower waste disposal costs contribute to a smaller cost gap with Chinese producers than many industry observers anticipated.

In addition to primary graphite production, the HFfree process has been qualified for recycling anode materials. The process achieved recovered graphite purity of 99.95%, a level comparable to virgin natural graphite. An independent ISO lifecycle assessment assigned the recycled material a near zero carbon footprint relative to synthetic graphite, supporting its potential use as a lower emission alternative.

EcoGraf has secured €6.2 million in institutional funding to date. Support includes a €2 million commitment from the European Investment Bank and €4.2 million from the German development bank DEG. The company has also applied for grants that could cover up to 60% of capital expenditures for facilities in Europe and the United States. However, no final grant approvals have been announced, and development of the proposed United States facility remains dependent on securing the full $95 million required for construction.

At the same time, India is taking steps to expand its role in the battery materials sector. The government is evaluating tax incentives aimed at supporting domestic production of electric vehicle battery components, including anodes and cathodes. A formal proposal is expected within the next three months. India’s demand for anode materials is projected to exceed 200,000 tonnes by 2030, driven by plans to develop 223 GWh of battery manufacturing capacity. These developments could create additional opportunities for suppliers with established graphite purification technologies outside China.

EcoGraf’s share price has reflected growing investor interest, rising approximately 27% over seven trading sessions through late May to around €0.23 in Frankfurt. Despite this increase, the stock remains nearly 39% below its 52 week high of €0.38. Annualised 30 day volatility of 86% highlights the speculative nature of the investment.

While the cost validation study provides a foundation for site selection and discussions with potential partners, the absence of binding offtake agreements remains a key consideration. Future progress will depend on the company’s ability to translate project plans into commercial agreements and operational facilities.

Herefordshire Council plans to invest £4.3 million in a biochar production facility as part of its strategy to achieve net zero carbon emissions by 2030. However, concerns have been raised by opposition members regarding the feasibility of the proposal.

The council declared a climate emergency in 2019 with support from all political parties, bringing forward the county's net zero carbon target from the national deadline of 2050 to 2030.

The latest carbon management plan, recently approved by council leaders, outlines the measures intended to achieve this goal during the remaining four years. For the first time, the plan includes carbon offsetting measures, which involve compensating for emissions through activities that reduce carbon elsewhere.

A key component of the strategy is the proposed investment in biochar production. The project is based on a £3.3 million scheme being developed in neighbouring Shropshire, where a facility in Ludlow is expected to become operational later this year.

According to Cabinet Member for Environment Coun Elissa Swinglehurst, the council's carbon emissions have already fallen by more than half compared with the 2008 to 2009 baseline year.

"But it's a bit like limbo dancing – the lower you go, the harder it gets," she told colleagues during a meeting last week.

The plan proposes the construction of a pyrolysis plant, which uses low oxygen combustion to process up to one tonne of green waste per hour. The facility is expected to generate an estimated annual value of £1.4 million through energy production, carbon credits, and sales of biochar, a charcoal like material.

Coun Swinglehurst described biochar as a product that "is fabulous for soil".
"So it could be a win win win."

However, Green Group leader Stef Simmons criticised the proposal, arguing that it lacked detailed analysis and a comprehensive business case.
"What is the fallback position if biochar project is delayed, scaled back or proves unsuitable?" she asked.

"There is a real risk that this plan will just be tick box, you approve it and move on, and it will not deliver the transparent, funded, accountable action that residents in Herefordshire need."

In response, Coun Swinglehurst said:

"We are preparing for that business case, and have a reasonable degree of optimism about it because we see it working in Shropshire, who we are in close contact with."

The approved plan identifies several potential feedstock sources for the proposed facility, including waste wood from sawmills, orchards, and woodlands, along with agricultural and food processing by products.

The plan also notes that selecting an appropriate location for the facility will be essential to ensure that the energy it generates can be used efficiently.

Researchers develop 3D printing method for continuous carbon fiber reinforced ceramic matrix composites

Researchers at the University of Birmingham have developed a 3D printing technique capable of manufacturing geometrically complex ceramic matrix composites (CMCs) reinforced with continuous carbon fibers, a category of materials that has traditionally been challenging and expensive to produce using conventional manufacturing methods.

The research, conducted by Daorong Ye and Jon Binner from the university’s School of Metallurgy and Materials and published in npj Advanced Manufacturing, investigated continuous carbon fiber reinforced silicon carbide (Cf SiC) CMCs. These materials are known for their ability to withstand highly corrosive environments and extreme temperatures, making them suitable for applications in the aerospace, nuclear, and automotive sectors. Conventional manufacturing techniques have been limited by high production costs, restricted flexibility in fiber placement, and the potential for defects introduced during manufacturing and machining processes, all of which constrain design complexity.

A new fabrication approach

The newly developed process incorporates continuous carbon fibers into a silicon carbide based matrix during the 3D printing stage. Following printing, the green bodies undergo polymer burnout and are subsequently sintered to produce the final CMC components. The method also enables the integration of different fiber reinforcement structures within a single component, a capability that is difficult to achieve using traditional manufacturing approaches.

The technique offers the potential for near net shape production of geometrically complex CMC components while allowing fiber orientation to be adjusted on a layer by layer basis. This level of control over directional mechanical properties is particularly relevant for parts that must perform under demanding thermal and structural conditions.

Implications for high performance applications

Silicon carbide based CMCs are already widely used in the aerospace and nuclear industries because of their ability to retain mechanical performance in extreme operating environments. The development of a 3D printing process capable of producing these composites with continuous fiber reinforcement, rather than the short fiber or particulate reinforcements commonly used in additive manufacturing, could broaden design possibilities and manufacturing options for engineers working with advanced ceramic composite materials.

Every year, approximately 85,000 Americans are diagnosed with bladder cancer. Although treatment is often successful, bladder cancer has one of the highest recurrence rates among all cancers. Around 50 percent of patients develop new tumors within five years of treatment, making it one of the most costly cancers to manage from a healthcare perspective.

Researchers at MIT have developed a new monitoring method that could help detect recurring tumors much earlier. The approach uses a catheter coated with specialized nanosensors capable of identifying extremely low levels of a protein produced by bladder cancer cells while also imaging its location within tissue.

According to the researchers, the sensing platform is nearly 50,000 times more sensitive than traditional urinalysis methods used to monitor bladder cancer patients. In animal studies, fluorescent signals generated by the sensors enabled precise identification of tumor locations within the bladder lining, creating what the team describes as a chemical image.

“It’s like a camera for molecules instead of light,” said Michael Strano, the Carbon P. Dubbs Professor of Chemical Engineering at MIT. “If you have a billion nanosensors in an array, you can use them to make a chemical image that helps you locate their source.”

Strano served as the senior author of the study, which was published in Nature Nanotechnology. Wonjun Yim, a Schmidt Science postdoctoral researcher, and Hohyung Kang, an MIT postdoctoral researcher, were the lead authors. Additional contributors included MIT graduate student Marco Machado, undergraduate student Maeve McGinnis, and postdoctoral researcher Byungha Kang.

The detection system is based on carbon nanotubes, hollow cylinders made of carbon that are only nanometers thick and naturally fluoresce when exposed to laser light. Over the past decade, Strano’s laboratory has demonstrated that these nanotubes can be engineered to detect specific molecules by coating them with synthetic antibodies, polymers designed to interact with selected targets.

When target analytes are present, their interaction with the synthetic antibodies alters either the wavelength or intensity of the fluorescence emitted by the carbon nanotubes. Previous work from the laboratory produced approximately two dozen sensors capable of detecting a variety of targets, including hydrogen peroxide, riboflavin, and viral proteins.

For this study, the team developed a sensor designed to detect nuclear matrix protein 22 (NMP 22), an FDA approved biomarker for bladder cancer. Although NMP 22 can be detected in urine samples, it is often diluted, degraded, and cleared after secretion. As a result, tumors are typically identified only after reaching more advanced stages.

To improve early detection, the researchers sought to place the sensors directly inside the bladder, allowing them to detect NMP 22 near tumors where concentrations are significantly higher. The resulting device consists of a urinary catheter coated with nanotubes capable of sensing NMP 22. The catheter also incorporates a miniature optical component known as a ball lens within its tip.

The lens rotates through 360 degrees, projecting laser light and collecting the fluorescent signals emitted by the nanosensors. By analyzing both the color and position of these signals, researchers can generate a map showing the location of detected biomarkers.

These chemical images can reveal not only the presence of a biomarker but also the precise location of cancerous cells.

“If you are scanning over a region of tissue, you would like to know not just that there is a signal indicating that a tumor is there, but also its location so that you can treat it or perform a biopsy,” Strano said. “Before an early stage tumor breaks through the urothelium so that it’s visible, it’s under the surface but still emitting chemical signals that can be imaged. When a chemical hits the catheter, we don’t just detect its presence, but we collect a map that pinpoints its location.”

Experiments in animal bladders demonstrated that this detection method is approximately 180 times more sensitive than conventional urinalysis. The improvement results from measuring biomarkers directly at their source within the bladder rather than in diluted urine samples, where concentrations are substantially lower. Researchers estimate that this level of sensitivity could enable detection of tumors as small as 16 square millimeters.

Earlier detection

The research team is currently developing a more compact version of the imaging system to facilitate use in clinical settings. Plans also include integrating the sensors into a cystoscope, a catheter equipped with a camera that is commonly used to visualize tumors within the bladder lining.

Patients treated for bladder cancer typically undergo annual cystoscopy examinations, and in some cases even more frequent monitoring, to check for recurrence. According to the researchers, the new diagnostic approach could identify recurring tumors earlier than cystoscopy, potentially simplifying treatment and reducing monitoring costs.

“What we’re looking for is something that could be faster and more effective. It could be used right in a doctor’s office, and it could make that screening more efficient and less invasive, with much lower cost. The goal is to be able to detect potential tumors much earlier,” Strano said.

“This paper is exciting because it shows how diagnostics can be more effective when the sensor is brought to the individual,” said Daniel Heller, a professor of physiology and pharmacology at Weill Cornell Medicine, who was not involved in the study. “Strano and colleagues demonstrated that a carbon nanotube based nanosensor technology can be used to monitor a cancer right where it is, improving the speed of cancer detection, and potentially enabling the improvement of cancer treatment.”

The technology could also be adapted for use with endoscopic procedures to detect other forms of cancer and diseases affecting the cardiovascular or gastrointestinal systems. This could be achieved by replacing the nanosensors attached to the catheter with sensors designed for different biomarkers.

“The beauty of polymer chemistry is that if we understand the molecular structures of target biomarkers and the design principles of binding sites, we can develop new sensors tailored to different diseases,” Yim said. “You can imagine if these sensors were integrated onto the catheter, they could reveal invisible biomarkers that current endoscopic procedures miss, opening the door to detecting many other diseases in the future.”

The research received funding from the Bridge Project of the Koch Institute and Dana Farber/Harvard Cancer Center, a Schmidt Science Fellowship, the MIT UROP Program, MathWorks Inc., and a National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship.

Professor Sangjun Lee of the Department of Mechanical Engineering at POSTECH (left) and Dr. Shaikhlur Rahman. 

A new approach has been developed for extracting lithium, often referred to as "white oil" because of its strategic importance in modern energy technologies. The method uses only sunlight to recover lithium from high salinity brine in an efficient and environmentally sustainable manner.

POSTECH announced on the 29th that a research team led by Professor Sangjun Lee from the Department of Mechanical Engineering and Dr. Shaikhlur Rahman developed a nanofiltration membrane technology capable of selectively recovering lithium from highly saline brine using solar energy. The findings were published in the international journal Advanced Functional Materials.

Lithium is an essential component of lithium ion batteries used in smartphones, electric vehicles, and other electronic devices. It is naturally present in seawater and highly saline lakes. However, extracting lithium is challenging because it coexists with magnesium and other ions that possess similar chemical properties, making selective separation difficult.

Conventional lithium extraction techniques typically rely on large evaporation ponds where brine is left to dry for several months, or on processes that consume substantial quantities of chemical reagents. These methods often involve high energy demands, significant operational costs, and environmental concerns.

To achieve a more sustainable and efficient separation process, the researchers developed an ultrafine nanochannel that combines graphene nanoribbons (GNRs) with photothermally reduced graphene oxide (PrGO). GNRs are graphene structures produced from unzipped carbon nanotubes, while PrGO is a form of graphene created by removing oxygen through a photothermal reduction process in which absorbed light energy is converted into heat.

The newly developed nanochannel integrates solar driven interfacial evaporation with nanomembrane technology, allowing lithium recovery without the need for an external power source.

Ions dissolved in water move together with surrounding water molecules. Magnesium ions attract and retain water molecules much more strongly than lithium ions. As a result, lithium can pass through the narrow nanochannels more easily, while magnesium, carrying a larger hydration shell, encounters greater difficulty moving through the confined pathways. This selective transport enables the membrane to preferentially separate lithium from magnesium.

Chemical functional groups located along the edges of the graphene nanoribbons help remove water molecules surrounding lithium ions, facilitating their rapid passage through the membrane. At the same time, PrGO converts sunlight into heat, raising the temperature within the nanochannels and accelerating lithium transport.

Under standard solar illumination conditions, the nanochannel system increased lithium concentration efficiency in brine by up to approximately 28 times compared with existing methods.

The researchers also conducted computer simulations to investigate the separation mechanism between lithium and magnesium ions. The numerical analysis revealed that lithium ions require relatively little energy to move through the membrane, allowing rapid transport. In contrast, magnesium ions encounter narrow and complex migration pathways that significantly hinder their movement.

The technology is notable for using solar energy as its driving force, providing a renewable and environmentally friendly alternative to conventional extraction methods. The process eliminates the need for chemical reagents and large scale evaporation ponds.

Professor Lee said, “We have presented a platform that efficiently recovers lithium by combining a solar based photothermal effect with graphene nanostructures,” adding, “It will be widely applicable to the development of next generation eco friendly ion separation technologies and lithium resource recovery technologies.”

Biochar presents a sustainable membrane technology that transforms microalgae derived biochar into an advanced material for municipal wastewater treatment. The approach offers a potential solution for improving water purification while creating value from biological waste streams.

Municipal wastewater contains a complex mixture of organic matter, nutrients, salts, and microorganisms. Among these contaminants, natural organic matter is particularly difficult to manage because it can clog filtration membranes, reduce treatment efficiency, and contribute to the formation of undesirable disinfection byproducts. Although membrane technologies are widely used in water treatment applications, membrane fouling remains a major obstacle to achieving long term and cost effective operation.

To address this issue, researchers developed amine functionalized biochar and cellulose acetate hybrid membranes using biochar produced from microalgae biomass. The biochar was chemically modified with amine groups through a one step process combining mussel inspired polymerization and a Schiff base reaction. The modified biochar was then incorporated into cellulose acetate, a biodegradable polymer, to create hybrid ultrafiltration membranes.

“Our goal was to design a membrane that not only performs well, but also fits within a more sustainable materials cycle,” said corresponding author Shadi W. Hasan. “By transforming microalgae biomass into a functional biochar filler, we can improve wastewater filtration while adding value to biological waste streams.”

The researchers observed that the addition of amine functionalized biochar enhanced several important membrane characteristics. The hybrid membranes exhibited greater hydrophilicity, increased porosity, and a more negative surface charge. These properties contributed to reduced foulant adhesion and improved water transport. Structural and chemical analyses confirmed the successful production of the functionalized biochar and its incorporation into the cellulose acetate matrix.

Among the membranes evaluated, the formulation containing 4 wt.% amine functionalized biochar delivered the strongest overall performance. During municipal wastewater filtration tests, the membrane achieved a water flux of 169.1 L m⁻² h⁻¹ and removed 64.1% of natural organic matter. In comparison, the unmodified cellulose acetate membrane achieved a water flux of 81.8 L m⁻² h⁻¹ and removed 31.1% of natural organic matter.

Testing also demonstrated complete bacterial removal by the modified membrane. In addition, the membrane partially removed several other common wastewater contaminants, including chemical oxygen demand, sulfate, phosphate, nitrate, ammonium, and magnesium. These findings indicate that the technology may offer benefits beyond the removal of natural organic matter.

Resistance to membrane fouling was another significant outcome of the study. Following municipal wastewater filtration and cleaning with deionized water, the highest performing membrane achieved a flux recovery ratio of 82.7%. This result indicates strong antifouling properties without requiring aggressive chemical cleaning procedures.

“Fouling is a major limitation for membrane based wastewater treatment,” Hasan said. “The improved recovery and stable filtration performance suggest that biochar based hybrid membranes can help make water treatment systems more durable and easier to operate.”

The study also emphasizes the importance of evaluating membrane performance using real municipal wastewater rather than relying solely on synthetic laboratory solutions. Demonstrating effectiveness under practical operating conditions provides a stronger basis for future scale up and real world implementation.

The researchers concluded that microalgae derived amine functionalized biochar represents a promising sustainable filler for next generation hybrid membranes. The approach connects biomass waste conversion with advanced water treatment, illustrating how renewable carbon materials could contribute to the development of more efficient and environmentally responsible wastewater treatment technologies.

Researchers Develop Graphene Detector for Ultra Low Power Signal Detection

Researchers have developed a graphene based detector capable of sensing power levels as low as 10⁻¹⁶ watts, a threshold comparable to detecting only a few photons at certain frequencies. The device is based on a graphene insulator superconductor junction that functions as a thermoelectric bolometer, achieving this level of sensitivity without the need for an external power source. Instead, it directly converts incoming power into a measurable voltage.

Numerical simulations indicate a response time of approximately 200 nanoseconds, enabling the detector to register power fluctuations on nearly a billionth of a second timescale. The device also demonstrated a noise equivalent power of 4 × 10⁻¹⁷ W/Hz. According to the researchers, the detector offers significant potential for large array cosmological experiments due to advantages in fabrication and heat management. These characteristics could support future efforts to observe the cosmic microwave background and other extremely faint signals from the universe.

Graphene Insulator Superconductor Junctions for Thermoelectric Detectio

A detector that takes advantage of graphene’s distinctive properties has been shown to detect power levels as low as 10⁻¹⁶ watts, expanding the possibilities for sensing signals that were previously difficult to measure. Researchers Leonardo Lucchesi and Federico Paolucci of the University of Pisa described a thermoelectric bolometer based on a graphene insulator superconductor junction that achieves a sensitivity comparable to detecting individual photons at specific frequencies.

Unlike conventional bolometers that require externally modulated biasing, the new device operates passively by directly converting absorbed energy into a measurable voltage. A key aspect of its performance is its ability to respond rapidly to changes in incoming power.

Simulations also determined a noise equivalent power of 4 × 10⁻¹⁷ W/Hz, highlighting the detector’s ability to distinguish extremely weak signals from background noise. Lucchesi and Paolucci explained that expressions were derived from conditions in which the temperatures on both sides of the junction differed from the bath temperature, reflecting the complexity of the thermal model used to characterize the device.

The combination of high sensitivity and passive operation makes the detector a strong candidate for future cosmological studies. The researchers estimated that a signal to noise ratio of 1 could be achieved within approximately 100 microseconds for an input power of 10⁻¹³ watts. In addition, the fabrication process and resulting thermal characteristics are considered advantageous for the development of large detector arrays.

Numerical Simulation of Thermal Dynamics and Noise Sources

In addition to developing the detector itself, the researchers conducted extensive simulations to model its thermal behavior and noise characteristics. These analyses involved detailed numerical studies of the full nonlinear thermal model of the graphene insulator superconductor junction, including heating effects on both sides of the device.

This approach provided a detailed understanding of how the detector responds to incoming energy and how genuine signals can be distinguished from intrinsic noise. Such capabilities are particularly important for cosmological research, where detecting extremely weak signals originating from the early universe requires exceptional sensitivity.

The simulations also examined the sources of noise within the system, identifying contributions arising from temperature differences between the detector components and the surrounding thermal bath. According to the findings, the detector is well suited for large array cosmological experiments due to its combination of sensitivity, speed, ease of fabrication, and efficient heat management. Its ability to directly convert input power into voltage without external bias modulation further supports its suitability for these applications.

Performance Metrics: Response Time and Noise Equivalent Power

Leonardo Lucchesi and Federico Paolucci, physicists at the University of Pisa in Italy, are advancing a detector design that utilizes graphene’s unique properties to achieve high sensitivity in the far infrared region of the electromagnetic spectrum. Their research focuses on graphene insulator superconductor junctions operating as thermoelectric bolometers, and recent simulations have demonstrated performance characteristics relevant to advanced cosmological observations.

The study extends beyond demonstrating the functionality of the device by providing detailed modeling of its response to extremely weak signals. The simulations indicate a minimum detectable power level of 10⁻¹⁶ watts, enabling the detector to reliably register energy equivalent to only a few photons at certain frequencies. This sensitivity is closely linked to the simulated noise equivalent power of approximately 4 × 10⁻¹⁷ W/Hz, which reflects the detector’s capability to identify faint signals in the presence of background noise.

A Healthier Earth (AHE), the climate technology subsidiary of Pure Data Centres (Pure DC), has launched an integrated carbon removal platform that the company describes as the first of its kind in the data center market.

According to the company, the platform is designed to support a scalable and financeable supply of high integrity biochar and carbon credits for hyperscalers, multinational corporations, and institutional buyers across Europe and other regions.

Pure DC stated that integrating carbon removal directly into its development model is intended to reshape both the economic and environmental framework of the data center industry.

“What we’re doing at Pure DC is the first of its kind anywhere in the world. In Dublin we’ve demonstrated that net zero carbon, self powered data centers are deliverable. Now, with our Biochar Integrated Carbon Removal from AHE, we’re making them scalable,” said Gary Wojtaszek, executive chairman and interim CEO of Pure DC. “This isn’t incremental improvement; it’s a complete reset of how this sector will be built going forward.”

To support the growth of the platform, AHE plans to expand its commercial, scientific, and operational capabilities. The company stated that these enhancements will enable carbon removal deployment at infrastructure scale.

The platform will combine AHE’s in house production capabilities with projects developed by external partners. These projects will be organized into tranches and managed under a unified framework of standards and governance. According to the company, this approach is intended to provide buyers with a lower risk, large scale source of high quality carbon removal credits.

All carbon credits generated through the platform will be certified under the Isometric Standard and supported by Mangrove Systems’ digital monitoring, reporting, and verification software.

The initiative builds on Pure DC’s broader sustainability activities. In 2025, the company announced plans to construct what it described as the world’s largest living wall at its campus in North London. The 7,400 square metre installation is planned for the second building at the Brent Cross campus following the approval of planning permission.

Founded in 2015, Pure DC is backed by funds managed by Oaktree Capital Management. The London based company currently has more than 250MW of IT capacity either operational or under development across markets in Europe, North America, Asia, the Middle East, and Africa.

Paragraf has introduced the PMF2000 GFET, a new graphene field effect transistor platform designed for sensing and research applications that require greater consistency, repeatability, and scalable production. The device is the first product released from the company’s new large wafer graphene foundry in Huntingdon, England, which Paragraf describes as the world’s first graphene foundry.

The PMF2000 expands Paragraf’s GFET portfolio with a contamination free, graphene on silicon device manufactured using the company’s direct graphene growth process. The sensor is intended for molecular sensing applications in healthcare, agritech, chemical analysis, and industrial research. The platform is designed to provide customers with a higher volume production pathway without requiring modifications to existing GFET based designs.

Large Wafer Manufacturing Targets Higher Consistency

Graphene devices have historically faced challenges related to contamination, consistency, and scaling production beyond research level volumes. Paragraf’s manufacturing process grows graphene directly on the substrate rather than transferring it through polymer assisted methods, helping to reduce contamination and improve repeatability. With the PMF2000, the company also provides existing GFET users with a higher volume production route that does not require major design changes.

The PMF2000 has been designed as an electrolyte gated field effect transistor featuring three independent graphene sensing channels arranged around a central in plane gate electrode. This configuration creates a more uniform electric field during operation while enabling multiplexed sensing and internal referencing.

The device incorporates an epoxy encapsulation layer that simplifies liquid handling and sensor modification during testing. Each of the three graphene channels can be functionalized independently to support multiplexed sensing or internal referencing. The PMF2000 is compatible with standard data acquisition systems through Paragraf’s plug in GFET breakout platform. Typical operating conditions use gate voltages between +200 mV and +800 mV and source drain voltages between 20 mV and 100 mV.

Built for Research and Molecular Detection Applications

The PMF2000 features three graphene channels with a typical transconductance of 0.8 mS·sq/V and channel resistance ranging from 1 kΩ to 3.5 kΩ. The transistor utilizes platinum based gate materials with 65 nm Al2O3 passivation and exposed platinum metallization. The maximum recommended operating voltages are ±1 V AC/DC, with operating currents of up to 1 mA.

According to Paragraf, the PMF2000 is intended for molecular sensing applications across healthcare, agritech, chemical analysis, and industrial research. The company also positions the platform as a means of enabling customers to transition from small scale laboratory testing to higher volume production without redesigning sensing architectures or making substantial changes to operating methods. At the same time, the manufacturing platform supports customization for specific sensing requirements while retaining the same core graphene process and device structure.

With the PMF2000, Paragraf places significant emphasis on manufacturability and consistency alongside graphene performance. The GFET platform combines contamination free graphene channels, multichannel sensing capabilities, and scalable foundry production to support the development of molecular sensing systems beyond small scale research environments.

Europe's Battery Supply Chain Has a Processing Problem, Not a Mining Problem

The global energy transition is increasing demand for graphite at a pace that existing industrial supply chains are struggling to support. Every lithium ion battery cell currently manufactured relies on graphite as its primary anode material. While Europe has access to graphite deposits across regions including Scandinavia and Central Europe, the key challenge facing the continent's battery sector lies not in mining availability but in processing capacity.

The critical bottleneck exists in the midstream segment of the supply chain, where raw graphite ore is refined into ultra pure, battery grade material suitable for battery manufacturing. This distinction is central to understanding the significance of the IG6 Alkeemia EU graphite processing hub, formalised on 27 May 2026. The project reflects a broader industry shift toward investment in graphite processing infrastructure as concerns over supply shortages continue to grow.

The Processing Gap at the Heart of European Battery Manufacturing

Raw graphite ore generally contains between 3% and 15% graphite by weight. To become suitable for battery anodes, the material must undergo flotation to produce a flake concentrate containing 85% to 95% graphite. It is then chemically purified to achieve carbon purity levels above 99.95%. The final processing stage involves precision milling that converts graphite flakes into spherical graphite, improving packing density within battery anodes.

Each stage introduces technical complexity, additional costs, and operational risks. Chemical purification represents approximately 60% to 70% of total processing expenses and depends heavily on hazardous chemical handling systems involving hydrofluoric acid. This requirement has contributed to the concentration of graphite processing operations in China, where integrated chemical industrial zones and supporting infrastructure have developed over several decades.

As a result, Europe remains highly dependent on imported battery grade graphite despite ongoing investment in gigafactories across Germany, Hungary, Poland, and Sweden. Current European processing capacity remains below 1,000 tonnes annually for battery grade specifications, while projected demand is expected to increase significantly throughout the decade.

The European Union has identified this dependence as a strategic vulnerability. Through the Critical Raw Materials Act, the EU has established targets for domestic processing of critical minerals. Graphite has retained its classification as a critical raw material since 2011 due to the risks associated with supply concentration. While the policy framework supports investment in domestic processing, it does not provide direct support for individual projects.

"The processing bottleneck in European graphite supply is fundamentally a chemical infrastructure problem, not a geological one. Deposits exist. What Europe lacks is the industrial chemistry ecosystem to refine them to battery specifications at scale."

Breaking Down the IG6 Alkeemia Joint Venture Structure

What Makes This Partnership Architecture Noteworthy?

The binding agreement signed during Alkeemia's Battery Forum in Venice establishes a partnership between International Graphite and Alkeemia, combining complementary industrial capabilities.

International Graphite, listed on the ASX under the ticker IG6, contributes downstream processing ambitions, technical data, established processing flowsheets, and engineering expertise developed through years of operational work.

Alkeemia contributes a fully permitted hydrofluoric acid production facility located within one of Europe's largest industrial port complexes, along with proprietary graphite purification technology that has already been validated through pilot testing.

The ownership structure assigns 51% ownership to Alkeemia and 49% to IG6. Operational control remains with Alkeemia due to its management of the physical site, while IG6 retains strategic influence through equal representation on a four member board. The joint venture CEO will come from Alkeemia's existing leadership team, ensuring operational oversight remains with the organisation already integrated into the chemical industrial environment.

This structure reduces execution risk by allowing each organisation to focus on its established expertise. Plans for a large scale graphite processing hub at the site align with the broader strategic framework of the partnership.

How Quickly Did the Partnership Come Together?

The timeline from initial discussions to a binding agreement progressed rapidly. The Letter of Intent was signed in December 2025. Pilot testwork demonstrating carbon purity above 99.9% using IG6 feedstock was completed in February 2026. The binding joint venture agreement followed in May 2026.

The transition from preliminary discussions to a formal agreement in under six months is considerably faster than the 12 to 18 month timeframe commonly observed in critical minerals joint venture development.

Why Porto Marghera Changes the Capital and Risk Calculus

Porto Marghera, located near Venice on the northern Adriatic coast, is one of Italy's established industrial chemical port zones. The site already includes port infrastructure, rail connectivity, environmental permitting systems, waste treatment facilities, operational control rooms, and an experienced workforce.

For graphite purification, proximity to Alkeemia's hydrofluoric acid production facility creates significant operational advantages. Hydrofluoric acid is a key reagent in graphite purification, and access to an existing supply source reduces both logistical complexity and capital requirements. Existing toll treatment infrastructure may also allow early stage production activity before completion of the full facility, potentially accelerating revenue generation.

Compared with a standalone greenfield development, the Porto Marghera site avoids several major challenges, including:

• Environmental permitting timelines that can extend from 18 to 36 months for hazardous chemical operations
  
• Capital expenditure requirements for waste treatment systems, laboratories, and control facilities
  
• Recruitment and training of a specialised operational workforce from the beginning
  
• The absence of established supplier and logistics networks for chemical processing

By operating within an existing industrial platform, the joint venture avoids many of these constraints. Alkeemia CEO Lorenzo Di Donato stated that Porto Marghera provides industrial, logistical, and energy related advantages for this type of processing operation. Existing energy infrastructure is also important because thermal purification methods can require temperatures above 2,500°C.

Production Roadmap and the Path to First Revenue

The project will follow a two phase development strategy with clearly defined responsibilities.

Construction is expected to begin during the third quarter of 2026. A Final Investment Decision is targeted for June 2026 following completion of engineering studies, cost estimates, business planning, and key operational agreements. IG6's technical processing data will be adapted to the Porto Marghera site to support cost modelling and project planning.

The pilot testwork completed in February 2026 represented an important technical milestone. Using Alkeemia's purification technology on IG6 feedstock, the testing achieved carbon purity above 99.9% prior to any binding capital commitments.

Battery grade graphite for lithium ion batteries generally requires purity levels of at least 99.95%, and the pilot results demonstrated that the feedstock and purification technology combination could meet commercially relevant specifications.

"Achieving greater than 99.9% carbon purity in pilot testwork on specific feedstock is not merely a marketing milestone. It demonstrates that the chemical interaction between the processing technology and the raw material is validated before capital is committed, which is materially different from a feasibility estimate based on theoretical chemistry."

The broader battery raw materials market also increases the commercial significance of these results, particularly for European buyers seeking alternatives to Chinese supply chains.

The Technical Architecture of Battery Grade Graphite Purification

Why Does Purification Represent Such a Significant Value Creation Step?

Much of the discussion surrounding critical minerals focuses on mining volumes, while the complexity and value of purification processes receive less attention. However, purification is one of the most important stages in the graphite value chain.

Chemical purification using hydrofluoric acid removes silicate and metal impurities that cannot be eliminated through flotation alone. The process requires precise control over temperature and reagent concentration while also managing the hazards associated with hydrofluoric acid handling. Waste treatment systems for HF based processing streams require dedicated environmental infrastructure already present at Alkeemia's facilities.

Thermal purification represents an alternative method, using high temperatures to remove impurities through oxidation and volatilisation. While thermal methods can achieve carbon purity levels above 99.99%, they require significant energy input and specialised furnace technology. Some commercial operations combine chemical and thermal purification depending on the characteristics of the feedstock.

Alkeemia's position as a large scale hydrofluoric acid producer therefore plays a central role in the joint venture's technical strategy. The company provides both reagent supply and operational expertise necessary for commercial scale purification, creating capabilities that would otherwise require years to develop independently.

At the same time, developments in critical minerals recycling across Europe are expanding the future supply landscape for recycled graphite, which may eventually integrate into midstream processing systems.

What the JV Means for IG6's Strategic Positioning

For International Graphite, the IG6 Alkeemia EU graphite processing hub represents a shift from a primarily upstream mining and development profile toward a vertically integrated graphite supply model with direct exposure to European processing markets.

A key advantage of the structure lies in capital efficiency. Access to a fully permitted and operational chemical processing platform reduces the development costs typically associated with standalone greenfield projects and lowers the capital required to achieve initial production.

IG6 Executive Director Aidan Nania stated that the partnership is intended to support Europe's advanced materials supply chain through domestic production, reflecting the industry's increasing focus on processing capabilities rather than raw material extraction alone.

IG6 CEO Andrew Worland described the agreement as a defining moment for the company and noted that the speed of the agreement reflected both the strategic alignment between the organisations and the scale of the opportunity within the European critical minerals sector.

Subject to the successful completion of the Final Investment Decision process, the joint venture is targeting revenue generation during the second half of 2027. The project also positions IG6 to supply European customers seeking non Chinese sources of battery grade anode materials.