Posted by AGORACOM
at 12:11 PM on Monday, July 29th, 2019
Gratomic Inc. (TSX-V: GRAT) Advanced Materials company focused on mine to market commercialization of graphite products, most notably high value graphene based components for a range of mass market products. Collaborating with Perpetuus, Gratomic will use Aukam graphite to manufacture graphene products for commercialization on an industrial scale.
A quantum phenomenon that tests the limits of graphene’s use in electricity has been discovered by a research team from The University of Manchester, The University of Nottingham and The University of Loughborough.
The research addressed how electrons in graphene scatter off the
vibrating carbon atoms in the hexagonal crystal lattice. The researchers
applied a magnetic field perpendicular to the atomically thin sheet of
graphene. This magnetic field forced the current-carrying electrons to
move in a closed circular orbit.
There is only one way for an electron from pure graphene to escape
this orbit, this is by bouncing off a “phonon†in a scattering event.
These phonons are particle-like bundles of energy and momentum. By
warming graphene crystals for a very low temperature, researchers
discovered they can generate these phonons.
Once the research team triggered the phonon scattering event, they
passed a small electrical current through the sheet of graphene in order
to measure the precise amount of energy and momentum that can be
transferred between and electron and a phonon during the event.
What happens during these scatter events?
The researchers discovered that there are two types of phonon
scatter. The first being named transverse acoustic (TA) phonons. TA
phonons force the carbon atoms to vibrate perpendicular to the direction
of phonon propagation and wave motions, such motion can be likened to
the way waves flow on the surface of water.
The second type of phonon scatter is longitudinal acoustic (LA). LA
phonons stimulate the carbon atoms to vibrate back and forth along the
direction of the phonon and the wave motion, which motion is comparable
to the motion sound waves make through the air.
By assessing these events, researchers have found a very accurate way
to measure the speed of both types of phonons. Such measurements have
indicated that the TA phonon scattering events dominate over LA phonon
scattering.
Laurence Eaves and Roshan Krishna Kumar, co-authors of the work, said
“We were pleasantly surprised to find such prominent magnetophonon
oscillations appearing in graphene. We were also puzzled why people had
not seen them before, considering the extensive amount of literature on
quantum transport in graphene.â€
Mark Greenaway, from Loughborough University, worked on the theory of this effect said: “This result is extremely exciting – it opens a new route to probe the properties of phonons in two-dimensional crystals and their heterostructures. This will allow us to better understand electron-phonon interactions in these promising materials, understanding which is vital to develop them for use in new devices and applications.â€
Posted by AGORACOM
at 3:18 PM on Wednesday, July 24th, 2019
SPONSOR: Gratomic Inc. (TSX-V: GRAT) Advanced materials company focused on mine to market commercialization of graphite products, most notably high value graphene based components for a range of mass market products. Collaborating with Perpetuus, Gratomic will use Aukam graphite to manufacture graphene products for commercialization on an industrial scale. For More Info Click Here
Kaustav Banerjee’s lab overcomes a stubborn obstacle to wide-scale deployment of graphene in the semiconductor industry
Ever
since graphene, the flexible, two-dimensional form of graphite (think a
1-atom-thick sheet of pencil lead), was discovered in 2004, researchers
around the world have been working to develop commercially scalable
applications for this high-performance material.
Graphene is 100 to 300 times stronger than steel and has a maximum
electrical current density orders of magnitude greater than that of
copper, making it the strongest, thinnest and, by far, the most reliable
electrically conductive material on the planet. It is, therefore, an
extremely promising material for interconnects, the fundamental
components that connect billions of transistors on microchips in
computers and other electronic devices in the modern world.
For over two decades, interconnects have been made of copper, but
that metal encounters fundamental physical limitations as electrical
components that incorporate it shrink to the nanoscale. “As you reduce
the dimensions of copper wires, their resistivity shoots up,†said Kaustav Banerjee,
a professor in the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering.
“Resistivity is a material property that is not supposed to change, but
at the nanoscale, all properties change.â€
As the resistivity increases, copper wires generate more heat,
reducing their current-carrying capacity. It’s a problem that poses a
fundamental threat to the $500 billion semiconductor industry. Graphene
has the potential to solve that and other issues. One major obstacle,
though, is designing graphene micro-components that can be manufactured
on-chip, on a large scale, in a commercial foundry.
“Whatever the component, be it inductors, interconnects, antennas or
anything else you want to do with graphene, industry will move forward
with it only if you find a way to synthesize graphene directly onto
silicon wafers,†Banerjee said. He explained that all manufacturing
processes related to the transistors, which are made first, are referred
to as the ‘front end.’ To synthesize something at the back-end — that
is, after the transistors are fabricated — you face a tight thermal
budget that cannot exceed a temperature of about 500 degrees Celsius. If
the silicon wafer gets too hot during the back-end processes employed
to fabricate the interconnects, other elements that are already on the
chip may get damaged, or some impurities may start diffusing, changing
the characteristics of the transistors.
Now, after a decade-long quest to achieve graphene interconnects,
Banerjee’s lab has developed a method to implement high-conductivity,
nanometer-scale doped multilayer graphene (DMG) interconnects that are
compatible with high-volume manufacturing of integrated circuits. A
paper describing the novel process was named one of the top papers at
the 2018 IEEE International Electron Devices Meeting (IEDM), from more
than 230 that were accepted for oral presentations. It also was one of
only two papers included in the first annual “IEDM Highlights†section of an issue of the journal Nature Electronics.
Banerjee first proposed the idea of using doped multi-layer graphene
at the 2008 IEDM conference and has been working on it ever since. In
February 2017 he led the experimental realization of the idea by
Chemical Vapor Deposition (CVD) of multilayer graphene at a high
temperature, subsequently transferring it to a silicon chip, then
patterning the multilayer graphene, followed by doping. Electrical
characterization of the conductivity of DMG interconnects down to a
width of 20 nanometers established the efficacy of the idea that was
proposed in 2008. However, the process was not “CMOS-compatible†(the
standard industrial-scale process for making integrated circuits), since
the temperature of CVD processes far exceed the thermal budget of
back-end processes.
To overcome this bottleneck, Banerjee’s team developed a unique
pressure-assisted solid-phase diffusion method for directly synthesizing
a large area of high-quality multilayer graphene on a typical
dielectric substrate used in the back-end CMOS process. Solid-phase
diffusion, well known in the field of metallurgy and often used to form
alloys, involves applying pressure and temperature to two different
materials that are in close contact so that they diffuse into each
other.
Banerjee’s group employed the technique in a novel way. They began by
depositing solid-phase carbon in the form of graphite powder onto a
deposited layer of nickel metal of optimized thickness. Then they
applied heat (300 degrees Celsius) and nominal pressure to the graphite
powder to help break down the graphite. The high diffusivity of carbon
in nickel allows it to pass rapidly through the metal film.
How much carbon flows through the nickel depends on its thickness and
the number of grains it holds. “Grains†refer to the fact that
deposited nickel is not a single-crystal metal, but rather a
polycrystalline metal, meaning it has areas where two single-crystalline
regions meet each other without being perfectly aligned. These areas
are called grain boundaries, and external particles — in this
case, the carbon atoms — easily diffuse through them. The carbon atoms
then recombine on the other surface of the nickel closer to the
dielectric substrate, forming multiple graphene layers.
Banerjee’s group is able to control the process conditions to produce
graphene of optimal thickness. “For interconnect applications, we know
how many layers of graphene are needed,†said Junkai Jiang, a Ph.D.
candidate in Banerjee’s lab and lead author of the 2018 IEDM paper. “So
we optimized the nickel thickness and other process parameters to obtain
precisely the number of graphene layers we want at the dielectric
surface. “Subsequently, we simply remove the nickel by etching so that
what’s left is only very high-quality graphene — virtually the same
quality as graphene grown by CVD at very high temperatures,†he
continued. “Because our process involves relatively low temperatures
that pose no threat to the other fabricated elements on the chip,
including the transistors, we can make the interconnects right on top of
them.â€
UCSB has filed a provisional patent on the process, which overcomes
the obstacles that, until now, have prevented graphene from replacing
copper. Bottom line: graphene interconnects help to create faster,
smaller, lighter, more flexible, more reliable and more cost-effective
integrated circuits. Banerjee is currently in talks with industry
partners interested in potentially licensing this CMOS-compatible
graphene synthesis technology, which could pave the way for what would
be the first 2D material to enter the mainstream semiconductor industry.
Support for the research has come from various sources over the years, including the National Science Foundation, the National Institute of Standards and Technology, Semiconductor Research Corporation, and currently, the U.S. Army Research Office and the University of California Research Initiatives.
Posted by AGORACOM
at 4:18 PM on Monday, July 22nd, 2019
Estimates point to 2022 as equilibrium between Electric and Combustible Sales
Graphite anode demand is set to increase from 194,160 tonnes in 2017 to 1,080,360 tonnes by 2023 and 1,747,800 tonnes by 2028
Automakers are taking action to put millions of electric vehicles on the road
Quebec and B.C Governments dedicated to “Green Economy”
Lomiko Metals Inc. has
been keenly watching the lithium-ion battery market in anticipation of
identifying an opportunity to participate in the supply of materials for
electric vehicles with its La Loutre graphite project located in
Quebec, Canada. Lomiko is focused on advancing the La Loutre graphite
property and is looking to deliver an NI 43-101 graphite resource based
on the success of its recently completed drilling campaign at the
Refractory Zone. This will add to the previously announced 43-101
graphite resource at the adjacent Graphene-Battery zone announced March, 2016.
A. Paul Gill, CEO states, “Lomiko
believes that it is in an ideal position to participate in the
burgeoning Electric Vehicle market, with the potential to become a North
American supplier of graphite materials, a market currently dominated
by foreign supply from China. Graphite is a major and critical material
in the manufacture of lithium-ion and other batteries, specifically
battery anodesâ€.
According to Benchmark Minerals, graphite anode demand is set to increase from 194,160 tonnes in 2017 to 1,080,360 tonnes by 2023 and 1,747,800 tonnes by 2028. [Source: INN Graphite Investing News] On February 4, 2019, Simon Moores of Benchmark Mineral Intelligence raised supply and demand concerns in a submission to the US Senate which was echoed by Energy and Natural Resource Committee Chair Senator Lisa Murkowski in a February 5, 2019 News Release: “In contrast to the energy sector, our nation is headed in the wrong direction on mineral imports. This is our Achilles’ heel that serves to empower and enrich other nations, while costing us jobs and international competitiveness,†Murkowski said. Lomiko brought this crucial opportunity to the attention of shareholders in a February 8, 2019.
Recent announcements and cooperation agreements on electric vehicle and self-driving cars between Ford and Volkswagen indicates automakers are taking action to put millions of electric vehicles on the road. Raw material demand for graphite, lithium and nickel sourced from North American is likely to increase as a result. Ford said its battery electric vehicle rollout will start in 2020 with a performance utility, and it plans to launch 16 battery electric vehicles by 2022.
In other positive developments, Quebec Premier Francois Legault reiterated his commitment to make the Province the ‘Green Battery’ of North America through investments in electric buses and trams while British Columbia Premier John Horgan aims to eliminate all gas-powered cars by 2040.  For more information on Lomiko Metals, review the website at www.lomiko.com, contact A. Paul Gill at 604-729-5312 or email: [email protected].
Posted by AGORACOM
at 9:47 AM on Friday, July 19th, 2019
SPONSOR: ZEN Graphene Solutions: An emerging advanced materials and
graphene development company with a focus on new solutions using pure
graphene and other two-dimensional materials. Our competitive advantage
relies on the unique qualities of our multi-decade supply of precursor
materials in the Albany Graphite Deposit. Independent labs in Japan,
UK, Israel, USA and Canada confirm this. Click here for more information
ZEN – TSX:V
A new paper on the potential of graphene within the aerospace
industry has been launched by Aerospace Technology Institute (ATI) and
National Graphene Institute (NGI) at The University of Manchester in the
UK.
Jointly prepared by ATI and NGI, the INSIGHT paper features a sector
perspective on the benefits of working with graphene and its potential
market opportunities available to aerospace companies based in the UK.
Various consultations were carried out with stakeholders before the paper was produced.
Graphene is a two-dimensional material that has the potential to improve aircraft performance, cost, and fuel efficiency. It was isolated from graphite for the first time in 2004.  “According to the paper, aircraft safety and performance could be significantly enhanced by including atom-thin graphene in the materials used to manufacture aircraft.â€
According to the paper, aircraft safety and performance could be
significantly enhanced by including atom-thin graphene in the materials
used to manufacture aircraft.Use of graphene is also expected to reduce the weight of the material, contributing to improved aircraft fuel efficiency.
ATI Technology for Manufacturing, Materials and Structures head Mark
Summers said: “The UK has pioneered the research and development of
graphene. The material has the potential to bring exciting applications
and efficiencies into the sector.
“Although its exploitation into the aerospace sector is still in its
infancy, it is anticipated that the scope of potential applications will
continue to expand.
“We will seek to accelerate the maturation of graphene technology
opportunities through our R&T programme, in a bid for the UK to
remain ahead of the challenge and continue leading on the research and
exploitation of the material in aerospace.â€
Both ATI and NGI expect to continue collaboration on accelerating the
technology development for graphene applications in the UK aerospace
sector.
Posted by AGORACOM
at 11:26 AM on Monday, July 15th, 2019
SPONSOR: ZEN Graphene Solutions: An emerging advanced materials and graphene development company with a focus on new solutions using pure graphene and other two-dimensional materials. Our competitive advantage relies on the unique qualities of our multi-decade supply of precursor materials in the Albany Graphite Deposit. Independent labs in Japan, UK, Israel, USA and Canada confirm this. Click here for more information
ZEN: TSX-V
The new facility falls in line with the UK’s target of net-zero emissions by 2050.
New facility perfectly coincides with the UK government’s target of net-zero emissions by 2050
If you did not know already, Hyperdrive Innovation just opened the UK’s largest independent battery manufacturing facility. Home to Hyperdrive Innovation, the battery maker has invested a little over £7m into the new facility since 2014.
The new facility perfectly coincides with the UK government’s target of net-zero emissions by 2050 and even aligns with Jaguar Land Rover’s new reinvestment into electric vehicle production into the United Kingdom.
The UK’s Electric Trend
For the uninitiated, the UK government recently passed legislation that will commit the UK to net-zero carbon emissions by the year 2050. This moment was historic as it is the first G7 country to do so.
Posted by AGORACOM-JC
at 3:29 PM on Thursday, July 11th, 2019
The Lomiko Metals (LMR:TSXV; LMRMF:OTCQB) flagship, high-grade graphite project (La Loutre) was already looking pretty impressive before its most recent press release, with the following attributes”
Indicated + inferred resource of 10 M Tonnes of 6% Cg at the Graphene-Battery Zone.
120 km from Montreal
53 km from the only operating graphite mine in North America (5.2M Tonnes of 7.42% Cg)
Located in the mining + green friendly Province Of Quebec
Despite this, CEO Paul Gill wanted more tonnage and higher grade to really position La Loutre as a serious supply source for the multiple battery factors set for completion throughout North America in the next couple of years. Well, it looks like he may very well have got it. On July 9, Lomiko announced results from the remaining 16 holes (of 21) from the 2019 program and the headline says it all: “Multiple 100m + Intercepts and Multiple 10% + Cg Zones At La Loutre. Next Steps: 43-101 Resource and Pre-Economic Assessment”.
The headline and next steps speak for themselves but we sat down with Paul Gill to discuss next steps even further. Specifically, positioning and timing of the Company to become a serious supplier of high-grade graphite to the North American batter market. The conversation was a great one and well worth watching, so grab a cold beverage, cool off from the hot summer heat and watch what Paul has to say.
On
May 25 2019, Quebec Premier François Legault said he has looked into
the future and it is electric. Specifically, he wants the province to
cut its oil consumption by 40% by 2030 and be replaced entirely by clean
electricity.
If you didn’t know any better, you would think that CEO, Paul Gill, wrote the speech given by Quebec Premier in which he stated “If we help our neighbours, we help the planet. It’s a win-win for Quebec and for the planet. Let’s become the green battery of North America.†Hey, for all we know, Paul Gill IS the Quebec Premier …. because the speech put Lomiko’s high-grade graphite project (La Loutre), located just 117 km’s North of Montreal, in the direct path of a very green future.
La Loutre has an indicated resource of 18.4 M Tonnes of 3.19% .. and that is just from one zone. That number is expected to rise after the Company releases the remaining 15 holes of a 20 hole drill program which has already seen great success in the first 5 holes. Gill has always stated that his high-grade graphite will be ideal for electric vehicle batteries and wants to be in a position to supply some or all of the several giga factories being built in North America. That was already a great plan, until the Quebec Premier stated: “Any new trains, tramways and buses financed by the Quebec government will have to be electric by 2030 and, for the most part, built in Quebec”
After more than 10 years of preparing for the electric future and developing La Loutre, it appears the electric future is coming directly to Lomiko.
Watch this interview to see exactly what Paul Gill has to say … and then continue your due diligence here.
Posted by AGORACOM
at 10:38 AM on Wednesday, July 10th, 2019
Gratomic is a leader in the mining and commercialization of graphite products
The global tire market acknowledges that employing graphenes
within tire treads, walls and the inner linings can make tires lighter,
provide better grip and reduce rolling resistance to an extent that is
not possible with existing tire compounds
Key to the ability for Gratomic to establish the first mass-market
Mine to Graphene to Tire, is the production of large quantities of
graphenes nano surface modified to enhance tire performance
Gratomic is developing and commercializing its Graphene Processing
capacity in Wales through its partnership with Perpetuus carbon
technologies.
Soft launching Gratomic Fuel Efficient Tire in the summer.
Gratomic has recently prepared an additional 2 tonnes of Graphite
concentrate which it will be shipping to wales in the coming days for
converting into high quality Graphenes targeted for the use and
development of several high value Graphene applications.
About Gratomic Inc.
Gratomic is an advanced material company focused on mine to market
commercialization of graphite products, most notably high-value
graphene-based components for a range of mass market products.
Posted by AGORACOM
at 1:11 PM on Thursday, June 27th, 2019
Grant will accelerate ZEN’s graphene-enhanced concrete research and development project.
Potentially help the Company achieve its goal to provide innovative cement-based composite products to the Ontario market.
ZEN is currently developing a graphene-enhanced concrete additive in
collaboration with the University of Toronto and University of British
Columbia-Okanagan
About ZEN Graphene Solutions Ltd.
ZEN Graphene Solutions Ltd. is an emerging graphene technology
company with a focus on development of the unique Albany Graphite
Project. This precursor graphene material provides the company with a
competitive advantage in the potential graphene market as independent
labs in Japan, UK, Israel, USA and Canada have demonstrated that ZEN’s
Albany Graphite/Naturally PureTM easily converts (exfoliates) to
graphene, using a variety of simple mechanical and chemical methods.
Posted by AGORACOM
at 9:00 PM on Friday, June 14th, 2019
Gratomic is a leader in the mining and commercialization of graphite products
Gratomic aims to penetrate the tire market with GUET: Graphene Ultra Fuel Efficient Tires
The global tire market acknowledges that employing graphenes within tire treads, walls and the inner linings can make tires lighter, provide better grip and reduce rolling resistance to an extent that is not possible with existing tire compounds
Key to the ability for Gratomic to establish the first mass-market Mine to Graphene to Tire, is the production of large quantities of graphenes nano surface modified to enhance tire performance
Gratomic is developing and commercializing its Graphene Processing capacity in Wales through its partnership with Perpetuus carbon technologies.
Soft launching Gratomic Fuel Efficient Tire this summer.
Gratomic also prepared an additional 2 tonnes of Graphite concentrate for Wales for convert into high quality Graphenes targeted for the use and development of several high value Graphene applications.
Posted by AGORACOM
at 8:23 AM on Monday, June 10th, 2019
Thunder Bay, Ontario–(Newsfile Corp. – June 10, 2019) – ZEN Graphene Solutions Ltd. (TSXV: ZEN) (“ZEN” or the “Company“)
is pleased to announce the signing of a memorandum of understanding
(“MOU”) with the University of British Columbia (UBC), Okanagan Campus,
School of Engineering, where ZEN will contribute a minimum of $300,000
over three years in support of graphene research and application
development. Under the MOU, UBC and ZEN will collaborate on
graphene-focused research projects relevant to applications of interest
to potential end-user partners.
The main initial objectives defined in the MOU are:
(a)
To formalize a collaborative research program utilizing expertise and
capabilities from both ZEN and UBC and, where applicable, utilizing
additional support and resources from government agencies such as the
Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council (NSERC), Mitacs and
the National Research Council Industrial Research Assistance Program
(NRC-IRAP); and,
(b) To structure an initial three-year research
program with a committed minimum contribution by ZEN of $100,000 per
year in support of UBC-based research projects.
ZEN has already
supplied samples of its graphene and graphene oxide to UBC where it has
undergone preliminary testing in the following applications:
In multiple battery technologies;
As an additive in cement-based composites;
As an additive to aluminum and aluminum alloys; and,
“The three-year project,
slated to begin this summer, challenges UBC engineering researchers to
develop the next generation of stronger and lighter composite materials.
The partnership with ZEN Graphene will allow for a transformational
approach to composite materials development utilizing the unique
properties of the Albany Graphite product. This will result in new
composite materials with performance characteristics long beyond the
reach of engineers and scientists using traditional material processing
techniques. Linking to R&D activities at UBC will in turn enable ZEN
to develop the Albany Graphite Deposit and get its graphene product to
market more rapidly with a clear focus on high-impact real-world
applications,” commented Dr. Bichler, associate professor of engineering
at UBC’s Okanagan campus and research supervisor.
ZEN
Graphene Solutions Ltd. is an emerging graphene technology company with
a focus on development of the unique Albany Graphite Project. This
precursor graphene material provides the company with a competitive
advantage in the potential graphene market as independent labs in Japan,
UK, Israel, USA and Canada have demonstrated that ZEN’s Albany
Graphite/Naturally PureTM easily converts (exfoliates) to graphene,
using a variety of simple mechanical and chemical methods.
To find out more on ZEN Graphene Solutions Ltd., please visit our website at www.ZENGraphene.com. A copy of this news release and all material documents in respect of the Company may be obtained on ZEN’s SEDAR profile at www.sedar.ca.