Latest news with #graphene
ABC News
8 hours ago
- Science
- ABC News
Billions of masks have been dumped since the pandemic. Researchers believe they could be a valuable tech tool
Disposable face masks could be broken down and turned into components for your smart phone or LED lights, in a new technique developed by researchers. The process, developed by the University of Southern Queensland and academics in China, turns single-use masks into a film capable of cooling electronic devices. It is hoped the recycled product could be a cost-effective and sustainable alternative to other materials commonly used to keep devices from overheating, such as polymers, metals or graphite. More than 950 billion masks — equivalent to about 3.8 million tonnes — have been discarded since the COVID-19 pandemic, Professor Pingan Song from the University of Southern Queensland said. Most face masks end up incinerated or in landfill, where they can take hundreds of years to decompose. "That eventually causes pollution to waters, soil and agriculture production," Professor Song said. "But if you incinerate it, the face masks can generate toxic gases that cause air pollution." Professor Song said the new technique could recycle almost all components of a disposable face mask to create materials for smartphones, LEDs and other electronic devices. The masks are washed and dried, applied with a graphene solution, and pressed on a hot plate. The study, published in Nano-Micro Letters, found the resulting regenerated nanocomposite film had metal-like electromagnetic shielding and thermal conductivity properties. Researchers propose the film could be used to effectively isolate electromagnetic radiation and reduce signal interference in electronics. Professor Song said the technique was affordable and could be replicated in larger quantities with the right equipment. "It can generate significant profit margins," he said. "As long as recycling companies are interested, I think we should be able to commercialise this technology in one or two years." Peter Halley, a professor of chemical engineering at the University of Queensland, said upcycling projects are both economically worthwhile and a step towards reducing landfill. "You're taking a waste product and turning it into something with a higher value." He said reducing plastic waste would require "a whole lot of different types of solutions, like this one". Julie McLellan, CEO of Queensland's natural resources management body Healthy Land and Water, said any effort to keep waste out of landfill by recycling was a positive. "It not only reduces pollution and protects our beautiful landscapes and communities, but there are a whole host of reasons that make putting more focus on recycling a win-win," Ms McLellan said. "It reduces landfill as well as conserves resources to make new items, saves energy, cuts greenhouse gasses and supports the circular economy." Under current waste management, polypropylene masks are not accepted by most recycling plants and go into general waste. Professor Song is advocating for governments to implement the technology to reduce the number of face masks in dumps. "At the moment we don't have a proper management solution," Professor Song said. "The government has a role to play because most of the public isn't aware of the issues. "We use [face masks] everyday, particularly in hospitals, laboratories and some other healthcare settings, but after each use we just throw them away. "It would be great if the government can engage with this upcycling." Queensland's Environment and Science Minister Andrew Powell said the government was "working with industry and local government to reduce the amount of rubbish going to landfill".
Zawya
21-05-2025
- Automotive
- Zawya
Astra Polymers and Levidian to collaborate on next generation of more sustainable plastic products
ABU DHABI, UAE & CAMBRIDGE, UK – The Middle East's leading plastics masterbatch manufacturer Astra Polymer has joined forces with British climate tech startup Levidian to explore the development of graphene-enhanced products for the automotive industry and other growing sectors. Signed at the Make It in the Emirates conference today, the agreement aims to supercharge the market adoption of graphene in region, bringing together Levidian's world-beating graphene production capability with Astra Polymers' growing portfolio to develop the next generation of more sustainable, higher performing plastic products. With over 30 years' experience of developing and manufacturing in the plastics marketplace, Astra Polymers is a specialist additive masterbatches company based in the heart of the Middle East. The company offers a comprehensive range of cutting-edge additive formulations that enrich the process ability of plastic resins and compounds across sectors including automotive, consumer goods and construction. Levidian's patented LOOP technology captures the carbon from methane in solid form, producing high purity graphene while also producing clean hydrogen. The graphene produced has the lowest carbon intensity of any other production method worldwide, with the potential to be net zero or even carbon negative depending on the methane source and make-up of the electricity grid. Graphene use cases within the automotive sector alone include a variety of car parts, from batteries and bumpers through to door panels and paints. The companies are already working together on masterbatch trials, with work underway to integrate graphene produced from Levidian's LOOP unit in Abu Dhabi into high-density polyethylene (HDPE) where it has the potential to make parts not only stronger but more environmentally friendly by driving down their carbon footprint. Yehia El-Azab, CEO of Astra Polymers: "Astra Polymers is known as a leading manufacturer of masterbatches, operating globally to meet the growing demands of our customers. With partners like Levidian, we are happy to collaborate to enhance product offerings specifically for graphene-enhanced car parts. We continue to innovate, combined with our expertise to deliver customer specific solutions for a better tomorrow.' The EV market within the Gulf Arab states is growing rapidly with Saudi Arabia working to manufacture and export more than 150,000 electric cars in 2026 alone. Colin Elcoate, MENA Managing Director for Levidian, said: 'The shift to electric vehicles is an essential part of the Middle East's decarbonisation journey and offers huge potential for low carbon growth. Our partnership with Astra Polymers is a powerful example of how localising advanced, and sustainable materials can unlock regional supply chains, create high-value jobs, and position the UAE as a key player in the global EV ecosystem.'
GSM Arena
12-05-2025
- GSM Arena
Realme GT 7 has a 7,000mAh battery with 120W charging
Realme's ongoing campaign for the upcoming global launch of the GT 7 on May 27 is focused on the battery performance of the phone. The latest teaser revealing that it will pack a 7,000mAh battery (a notch smaller than the 7,200mAh of the Chinese model). However, the global unit will feature faster wired charging - 120W compared to the 100W on the GT7. The Realme GT 7 has what Realme calls the World's first graphene cover IceSense design - the rear panel has graphene, infused with fiberglass, so that it's strong but also helps with the SoC's cooling. Word is still out on the SoC in question, but we're sure Realme will also divulge that info along the way to May 27. Realme has also reportedly released a white paper called "The Future of Battery Tech" in partnership with TÜV Rheinland. In it, it talks about the GT 7's battery, which has AI health management, and advanced heat dissipation, which along with smart charging, lead to battery longevity and safety. The Realme GT 7's 7,000mAh battery will reportedly top up to 100% in just 40 minutes. Realme is also working on a 320W charging solution that could do it in just 4 minutes and 30 seconds. Source | Via
Yahoo
12-05-2025
- Science
- Yahoo
Groundbreaking accordion effect makes graphene more stretchable by removing atoms
Austrian researchers have unlocked a groundbreaking property of graphene, making it significantly more stretchable by manipulating its structure to ripple like an accordion using a one-of-a-kind method that has never been seen before. The unique technique, pioneered by scientists at the University of Vienna and the Vienna University of Technology, involved the meticulous manipulation of the atomic structure of graphene, a material extracted from graphite and is made up of pure carbon, in an ultra-clean, airless environment. This unique setup ensured that the graphene samples remained free from ambient air and foreign particles, which could interfere with the measurements and distort the results. Jani Kotakoski, PhD, a physics professor at the University of Wien and lead author of the research, believes the discovery opens up exciting new possibilities for the material, enabling its use in applications requiring enhanced flexibility, such as wearable electronics and advanced flexible devices. In 2004, the discovery of graphene by researchers Andre Geim, PhD, and Kostya Novoselov, PhD, from the University of Manchester, revolutionized science, introducing a new class of materials known as two-dimensional (2D) solids. These materials, just a single atom thick, possess unique properties that hold significant promise for various applications, with graphene being particularly celebrated for its exceptional electrical conductivity, flexibility, lightness and high resistance. However, its extreme stiffness, a result of its honeycomb-shaped arrangement of the atoms, has limited its use in many applications. Although removing atoms from its structure might be expected to reduce its stiffness, studies have yielded mixed results, with some research suggesting a slight decrease in rigidity, while others show an increase in stiffness. Now, to address the issue, the research team conducted experiments in an ultra-clean, airless environment, using state-of-the-art equipment to ensure that the graphene samples were completely isolated from external air and contaminants. The controlled setup allowed researchers to carry out precise measurements, eliminating interference from airborne particles that might have affected the accuracy of the results. "This unique system we have developed in the University of Vienna allows us to examine 2D materials without interference," Kotakoski explained. "For the first time this kind of experiment has been carried out with the graphene fully isolated from ambient air and the foreign particles it contains. Without this separation, these particles would quickly settle on the surface affecting the experiment procedure and measurements." According to Kotakoski, the breakthrough came from an intense focus on keeping the graphene surface completely clean during testing. The researchers discovered that removing just two neighboring atoms from the otherwise flat material caused it to bulge slightly. As more of these small bulges formed, they created a corrugated, wave-like structure, which the scientists have called the 'accordion effect.' "You can imagine it like an accordion," Joudi explained in a press release. "When pulled apart, the waved material now gets flattened, which requires much less force than stretching the flat material and therefore it becomes more stretchable." The findings were further backed by computer simulations from theoretical physicists Rika Saskia Windisch, MSc, and Florian Libisch, PhD, at the Vienna University of Technology, which confirmed the formation of these atomic ripples and the resulting increase in flexibility. The experiments also revealed that contamination from foreign particles on the material's surface completely suppresses the accordion effect. In fact, their presence can make the material seem stiffer, providing a likely explanation for conflicting data in earlier studies. "This shows the importance of the measurement environment when dealing with 2D materials," Joudi concluded. "The results open up a way to regulate the stiffness of graphene and thus pave the way for potential applications." The study has been published in the journal Physical Review Letters.
Yahoo
12-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Argo Expands Strategy with Graphene Leaders Canada to Explore Graphene-Infused Asphalt Innovations
Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - May 12, 2025) - Argo Living Soils Corp. (CSE: ARGO) (OTCQB: ARLSF) (FSE: 94Y0) ("Argo" or the "Company") is pleased to announce that, following our May 5, 2025 news release regarding the research and development ("R&D") agreement with Graphene Leaders Canada Inc. ("GLC"), Argo is now in discussions to expand its R&D agreement to include the development of graphene-infused asphalt solutions. This initiative reflects Argo's commitment to advancing eco-friendly, high-performance materials for industrial applications. The expanded agreement will leverage GLC's advanced graphene nanoplatelet ("GNP") dispersion capabilities alongside Argo's expertise in sustainable technology to explore the potential of graphene-infused asphalt for infrastructure applications. The focus will be on research and development to design and test graphene GNP formulations for asphalt, with independent testing planned to assess performance. Graphene, a carbon-based nanomaterial known for its exceptional strength, conductivity, and flexibility, presents significant advantages for asphalt applications. Successful results could pave the way for commercial-scale trials. The global asphalt market, valued at approximately USD 82 billion in 2023, is projected to grow at a CAGR of 4.5% through 2030, driven by increasing infrastructure investments and demand for sustainable construction materials. Graphene-infused asphalt has the potential to capture a significant share of this market by offering enhanced durability and reduced environmental impact, addressing the needs of municipalities, developers, and governments worldwide. "We are excited to expand our relationship with Graphene Leaders Canada to explore the transformative potential of graphene-infused asphalt," said Robert Intile, CEO of Argo Living Soils Inc. "This project builds on our commitment to sustainable innovation, aiming to deliver stronger, greener infrastructure solutions that address the evolving needs of the construction industry." About Argo Living Soils Inc. Founded in 2018, Argo Living Soils Corp. is dedicated to pioneering sustainable solutions in agriculture and construction. With a focus on organic product development and advanced technologies like biochar and graphene, Argo strives to reduce global carbon emissions while delivering innovative, eco-friendly products. For further information, please contact:Robert Intile, CEOArgo Living Soils 604-763-4017 The Canadian Securities Exchange has not reviewed this press release and does not accept responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this news release. Certain information contained herein constitutes "forward-looking information" under Canadian securities legislation. Forward-looking information includes, but is not limited to, Argo creating an established brand of organic and/or environmentally friendly products. Generally, forward-looking information can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as "will", "will have", "intend" "plans", "aims", "potential" or variations of such words and phrases or statements that certain actions, events or results "will" occur. Forward-looking statements are based on the opinions and estimates of management as of the date such statements are made and they are from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements or forward-looking information subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause the actual results to be materially different, including receipt of all necessary regulatory approvals. Although management of the Company have attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in forward-looking statements or forward-looking information, there may be other factors that cause results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended. There can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements and forward-looking information. The Company will not update any forward-looking statements or forward-looking information that are incorporated by reference herein, except as required by applicable securities laws. To view the source version of this press release, please visit Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
