PROFILE GRAPHENE RESEARCH Multifaceted material Graphenano is involved in a variety of areas when it comes to research and development, and offers a multitude of products through its devotion to industrial scale graphene production E stablished in 2012, Spanish company Graphenano Nanotechnologies is devoted to the production of graphene on industrial scales presented on sheets and wires made of copper or nickel, powder of graphene, graphene oxide, carbon nanostructures and spheres. Graphenano is heavily involved in the research and development of commercial and industrial applications of such materials in the fields of electronics and electricity, and in the design of new composites for thermal, mechanical and electrical purposes. Carbon nanostructures supplied by Graphenano Nanotechnologies are being used by other companies in the formulation of a new generation of batteries, adhesives, leather and cardboard additives, polymer-based composites, and paints and concretes with improved mechanical, thermal, electrical and electronic capabilities heretofore undescribed. Projects Graphenano collaborates with several companies and universities developing very ambitious projects. Some of them are listed below. Batteries: The development of a polymer based on graphene that quadruples the energetic density of current Li-ion technology, increasing by three times the energy density of lithium, providing rechargeable properties and vanishing the memory effect. This graphene polymer is being developed in collaboration with the University of Cordoba, Spain, and Graphenano Nanotechnologies under the entity of GRABAT Energy. This technology could result in a huge step forward in the electrical automotive sector, making it accessible and affordable for our daily use. Construction materials: Combining traditional manufacturing procedures with the most innovative ones – the main idea being to supply products to be used in modern constructions, but also to improve the performance of the ones constructed using this method. Graphenstone™: Collaborating with Spanish company IEdiSA, Graphenano developed an innovative and commercial paint which incorporates graphene and has remarkable properties in terms of long durability, resistance, improved breathability by preventing moisture issues, and only minor formation of cracks under extreme conditions. When this product is used in construction, it reabsorbs CO2 from the air and turns back into calcium carbonate. Furthermore, contrary to modern paints, this kind of product does not cause any environmental or health problems. The cleaning up of radioactive water: In collaboration with TEPCO and Graphenano’s representative, Clean Energy Europa, in Japan, this project is focused on removing radioactive isotopes of actinides and lanthanides from liquids, rather than solids or gases. “Graphenano’s graphene oxide introduced to simulated wastes coagulated within minutes, quickly clumping the toxins.” Others include: n Sensors for glucose, uric acid, and arterial tension; n Dental prostheses; and n Rubbers and foam rubbers doped with graphene, improving its wear and resistance properties. Additives Horminano GHA-45: An additive for concrete developed by Graphenano’s engineers which is designed to improve all of concrete’s qualitative and quantitative features in terms of mechanics, durability and resistance against external aggressions. GHA-45 is designed for all kinds of construction or building use, from a single family home to a big civil or marine infrastructure. The greatest improvements with our additive are: n Increased compression capacity of 30%; 90 ★ I S S U E S I X ★ H O R I Z O N 2 0 2 0 P R O J E C T S : P O R TA L www.horizon2020projects.com PROFILE GRAPHENE RESEARCH n Increased flexion capacity of 45%; n n Decreased porosity of 15%; n n Qualitative increase in material workability; n Decrease in retractions; n Setting control; n Resistance increment against external aggressions such as sulfates and seawater; n Increased protection against carbonation; n Increased framework protection; n Savings in labour costs and in raw materials; and n Decreased CO2 emissions. Curtigraph: Leather tanning hardener that acts as a reinforcing agent presented in liquid form which is used for tanning all types of leather. It is especially effective for tanning leather free of chromium salts. The resulting leather has an incredible tear resistance that has not been achieved to date with any other reinforcing agent. n n n n Improves the cohesion of the components; Increases the speed of machinery course by up to 5%, reducing the cost of operation and the waste generated by the production; Improves resistance against humidity, ameliorating the products used in extremely humid weathers; It doesn’t separate due to cold or heat; For chipboards and fibreboards, it diminishes press time and improves productivity; and Improves the superficial resistance and abrasiveness of cardboards and papers. The staff of Graphenano Nanotechnologies comprises a PhD and an MSc in chemical engineering, two BScs in chemistry, a BSc in food engineering, a BSc in aeronautic engineering, a BSc in electronic engineering and a BSc in economics. All of the team are working hard to introduce this futuristic material into our daily lives. Reinforced additive for cardboards, papers or wood: The basis of this product is the graphene dispersed in an aqueous media, which makes it very flexible as it works on a molecular level, interlacing and joining the fibres of wood and paper. As an additive to the white glue the graphene adds a greater force to the union, multiplying the strength in an exponential form. Once incorporated in the productive process it provides the following qualities: n Reduces the use of starch by 20-30% during the manufacturing process; Mario Celdran General Manager Graphenano tel: +34 699 335394 [email protected] www.graphenano.com Reproduced by kind permission of Pan European Networks Ltd, www.paneuropeannetworks.com © Pan European Networks 2015 www.horizon2020projects.com H O R I Z O N 2 0 2 0 P R O J E C T S : P O R T A L ★ I S S U E S I X ★ 91