How graphene can transform brain-computer interfaces

ICN2 group leader ICREA Prof. Jose Antonio Garrido and fellow Graphene Flagship programme coordinator, Prof. Kostas Kostarelos of the University of Manchester, were invited by Advanced Materials to present their vision of the role of graphene in the design of advanced brain-computer interfaces. Published earlier this month, the work entitled “Graphene in the design and engineering of next-generation neural interfaces” outlines the current state-of-the-art in this field, along with the ways graphene is allowing us to overcome some of the obstacles to fully realising the next generation of neural interfaces.

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Warming Up to Graphene Papers for Personal Thermal Management

Personal thermal management (PTM) devices provide the potential to adjust body temperature to a thermally safe and comfortable state. Essential elements of a successful PTM device are that they are lightweight, flexible, breathable and as safe as normal clothing for human skin. However, most current PTM systems are made from types of conductive materials, such as Ag nanowires, carbon nanotube and graphene, and feature elements which allow for the insulation or release of human body infrared (IR) radiation, providing a heating or cooling effect respectively. The greatest limitations of these materials is that they do not allow for warming and cooling within one textile and the antioxidation status of metallic nanowires deteriorates with decreased dimension as a result of high surface-area.

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CKCOM launched a crowdfunding campaign for graphene-enhanced wireless earbuds

China-based manufacturer CKCOM has launched an Indiegogo crowdfunding campaign for Alien Earbuds, offering an affordable but high quality alternative to more expensive true wireless earbuds on the market. Alien earbuds feature graphene-enhanced drivers, 4.5-hour playtime, built-in mic for hands-free calling, and multi-touch button for important gestures, and more. The campaign has already reached $15,498 USD at the time of writing, which stand for 77% of the $20,000 (flexible) goal, with a month left to go.

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Nacre-like graphene composite is stronger and tougher

Nacre, also known as “nature’s armour”, is made up of a brick-and-mortar architecture in which hard bricks of aragonite are sandwiched together with soft biopolymer layers (the mortar). Now, a team at the University of Virginia in the US has made composites from graphene and aluminium that have the same type of structure as nacre’s but which have an even higher strength and toughness. Compared with aluminium on its own, the new bioinspired composite has a 210% improved hardness, 223% improved strength and 78% improved stiffness. It might find use in applications such as vehicles (cars, planes and trains), in which lower weight is important, as well as in next-generation electronics devices that call for strong, stiff and tough components that conduct heat well.

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From concept to completion is more complicated than it seems

Rocco Gaudenzi talks about the challenges involved in taking a complex project from concept to completion.

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Large thermoelectric figure of merit in graphene layered devices at low temperature

Nanostructured materials have emerged as an alternative to enhance the figure of merit (ZT) of thermoelectric (TE) devices. Graphene exhibits a high electrical conductivity (in-plane) that is necessary for a high ZT; however, this effect is countered by its impressive thermal conductivity.

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Drastically Enhancing Moduli of Graphene-Coated Carbon Nanotube Aerogels

Lightweight open-cell foams that are simultaneously superelastic, possess exceptionally high Young’s moduli (Y), exhibit ultrahigh efficiency, and resist fatigue as well as creep are particularly desirable as structural frameworks.

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Columbia researchers observe exotic quantum particle in bilayer graphene

Scientists from Columbia University have reportedly proven a 30-year-old theory called “the even-denominator fractional quantum Hall state” and established bilayer graphene as a promising platform that could lead to quantum computation. The team observed an intensely studied anomaly in condensed matter physics—the even-denominator fractional quantum Hall (FQH) state—via transport measurement in bilayer graphene.

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New graphene sensor measures high vacuum pressures

Researchers have created a graphene nanoribbon sensor which can measure high vacuum pressures. The Researchers synthesized a mixture of graphene nanoribbons (of varying size and chemical composition) from a combination of multi-walled carbon nanotubes, sulphuric acid and phosphoric acid in a chemical exfoliation approach. The result was a mixture of several graphene nanoribbons which were separated and purified ready for device implementation and testing. The Researchers also synthesized graphene oxide through a modified Hummers’ method for use as a reference material.

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Adding Wrinkles to Graphene Just Got Easier

Graphene’s two-dimensional physical attributes have offered some of its most attractive properties. But over the past couple of years, it’s been shown that adding a little wrinkle to the material—effectively making it three-dimensional—offers some new possibilities for the wonder material in wearable electronics and biological or dispensable sensors. However, adding those wrinkles comes at a price: the manipulation is performed under harsh conditions that compromise precision or tunability.

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