By enabling high quality graphene at industrial scale, a wealth of applications is finally possible. These include, to name but a few, batteries, composites and coatings with enhanced mechanical and electrical performance, biomedical sensors, transistors, supercapacitors, printed electronics, and transparent conductors.
More specifically, CealTech sees the use of graphene, for example as a conductive nano-filler in the preparation of inorganic/polymer nanocomposites, as a solution that can benefit the Wind Energy Industry to overcoming problems strictly connected to the wind turbine structures, such as electrical conductivity and thus lightning strike protection. In addition, graphene, owing to its barrier properties, can enhance the anti-corrosion properties of the resin, since it absorbs most of the light and provides hydrophobicity for repelling water. It is noteworthy to mention that all these improvements can be realized even at very low filler loadings in the polymer matrix; accordingly, a very small amount of graphene can significantly improve the physical properties of neat polymers.
Furthermore, CealTech expects the impact of graphene-based composites and coatings to reverberate throughout countless industries, enhancing performance and increasing application possibilities. For example, the use of graphene in paints and coatings can address market’s needs, such as anti-fouling coatings for boats and fish farms, solar paints to absorb and transmit solar energy, paints that provide insulation for houses, anti-rust coatings, etc.
Battery technology is yet another area of application, where graphene-based batteries are set to iron out the current “bugs” of for example Li-ion batteries, by providing a safer and more cost-effective battery with outstanding specific energy, quicker charge rate, and superior cyclic stability. This new battery technology will accelerate the electrification of Transportation Industry, while meeting the increasing market demand for energy storage (i.e. smart-grid structure) and power consumption.
Moreover, graphene is the best candidate to achieving both targeted and controlled drugs deliveries alike, pending the proof of its biocompatibility. Among the medical applications that can leverage the unique properties of graphene are cancer and gene therapies, where graphene-based nanomaterials functionalized with known biopolymers can be successfully loaded with several drugs to achieve a precise targeted treatment. Poorly soluble substances can then be conjugated with graphene, and its derivatives, to increase their solubility and stability without losing their efficiency. Other medical applications which graphene can benefit include, to name but a few: diagnostics and biosensors; tissue engineering; and biomarker.
Graphene has also a wide number of potential applications in the Defense industry, such as advanced camouflage systems, and lighter yet stronger ballistic protections. By doping graphene, it is also possible to develop graphene enhanced perovskite and DS solar cells. Furthermore, a graphene-modified drilling fluid will only revolutionize the drilling industry, resulting in safe, more cost-effective and more environmentally drilling operations, in addition to reduced flow friction, and lower power requirements to drive the pumps. Lastly, one can cite all the benefits graphene and graphene-enabled products can bring to the Aerospace industry, in terms of improved mechanical properties, reduced weight, extended lifetime, better insulation and most importantly increased safety.
The future is already here. Let’s embrace it!
