Energy

Graphene for energy applications

As the global population expands, the demand for energy production and storage constantly increases. Graphene and related materials (GRMs), with their high surface area, large electrical conductivity, light weight nature, chemical stability and high mechanical flexibility have a key role to play in meeting this demand in both energy generation and storage.

Solar cells, batteries, super capacitors, hydrogen storage and fuel cells are all areas where GRMs can make a difference. These could be used to produce unique, new devices or integrate into current devices to boost their performance. For example, activated graphene enables super capacitors for energy storage and also increases their lifespan, energy capacity and charge rate for lithium ion batteries. For energy generation, GRMs, such as molybdenum disulphide, can be used to extend the lifetime of perovskite solar cells.

Graphene-based Energy Applications

Graphene Solar Power

Creating large area perovskite solar cells with high power efficiency and long lifetimes is possible thanks to graphene. Interface engineering with graphene and related materials boosts stability and efficiency of solar cells. Graphene’s excellent electrical properties can be used to generate clean energy for a sustainable future. Developed by: University of Rome Tor Vergata (Italy), IIT (Italy), TEI Crete (Greece).

Advanced Heating Solutions

The excellent thermal and electrical properties of graphene spread heat rapidly across graphene heating modules. Graphene heaters are chemically and thermally stable and prepared with a process scalable and environmentally friendly. Graphene-based heating modules can be easily integrated into many substrates suitable for aeronautical and automotive applications. Developed by: CNR (Italy).

Smart Heat for Smart Textiles

Take heat anywhere with textile coupled with thin plastic membrane embedded with graphene network. This electrically activated membrane rapidly delivers heat, thanks to graphene’s excellent thermal properties. Therefore, graphene is excellent for smart heating textiles and delivering localised heat for outdoor activities or medical situations. Developed by: BeDimensional (Italy), IIT (Italy).

Cooling High-Power Electronics

As electronics have become more compact with combined functionality, operating at faster speeds, this has been accompanied by an increase in the heat generated in these devices. The move towards the miniaturization and multi-functionality of electronics has increased demand for improved thermal management through the application of heat spreaders, thermal interface materials, and polymer composites. Developed by: The University of Manchester (UK).

Energy Super Storage for Mobile Power

Graphene supercapacitors store large amounts of energy and can charge and discharge rapidly. Graphene’s excellent electrical properties allow super-fast energy transport and storing up to 100 times more energy. Graphene supercapacitors will enable superfast charging of mobile devices and make high power more portable. Developed by: Thales (France), Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia (Italy).

Graphene-Boosted Batteries

Graphene batteries have improved energy storage and better performance over a lifetime of use and recharging. Adding graphene to the battery electrode improves energy capacity, lifetime and reliability. Our connected life is built on batteries. Graphene boosts performance to go further with mobile technology. Developed by: Cambridge Graphene Centre, University of Cambridge (UK).

Deep Freeze for Cryo-Electronics

Using graphene, a miniaturised cooling pump cools electronic systems down to ultralow, cryogenic temperatures. The high efficiency of graphene and no moving parts means a more compact and reliable pump. This pump is therefore ideal for mobile ultralow cooling in satellites and security, communications and healthcare. Developed by: APR Technologies (Sweden), Chalmers University of Technology (Sweden), SHT (Sweden).

The latest on energy applications

Energy / Materials / Sustainability

Materials of the future - Graphene and perovskites

Energy / Innovation / Sustainability

Graphene Flagship to showcase innovations at Enlit Europe

The Graphene Flagship will exhibit exciting graphene applications for the energy sector at Enlit Europe, from 29 November to 1 December 2022 in Frankfurt.

Energy / Sustainability / Innovation

Graphene applications: GRAPES

The next generation of solar power is just around the corner. the solar cells created by the Graphene Flagship's GRAPES Spearhead Project are a unique fusion of silicon and perovskite technologies, enhanced by graphene.

SMENA Catalysis AB's MoS2-based material, Molybdenyx with "zigzag edges".

Industry / Sensors / Energy

SMENA Catalysis AB develops layered materials with bespoke edges for gas sensing and hydrogen catalysis

The Swedish spin off pioneers a technology to control edges in transition metal dichalcogenides with close-to-atomic precision

Energy / Innovation / Sustainability

Graphene applications: Circuitbreakers

The CircuitBreakers Spearhead Project, funded by the Graphene Flagship and led by industrial partners ABB, Nanesa and GraphMaTech AB, is developing a first-of-their-kind grease-free, maintenance-free, low-voltage circuit breakers for fault protection in key parts of the electrical grid.