Opportunities with graphene and other 2D materials

Graphene and other 2D materials with their unique properties offer innovative solutions to many of today's challenges. At RISE, we have solid expertise in 2D materials and broad contact networks in Sweden and Europe. RISE will help you with your innovation journey.

The world is facing complex challenges such as climate change, energy transition, lack of drinking water and a growing elderly population. The outstanding potential of graphene and 2D materials opens doors for innovation in several sectors.

Graphene's ultra-thin nature and superior electrical, thermal and mechanical properties enable the development of efficient and environmentally friendly technologies.

Graphene's use extends over a wide range of applications. At RISE we can help you with everything from applied research to product development. A selection of areas in which we at RISE work with graphene and other 2D materials.

A selection of areas in which we at RISE work with graphene and other 2D materials:

Functional coatings

Thermal and electrical conductivity, fire protection, mechanical and antimicrobial properties are examples of functions that can be achieved with graphene and related 2D materials in coatings.

Graphene can also be used as a barrier layer to reduce the permeability of moisture, air and other gases, but also ions. This extends its use from packaging to gas containers and corrosion protection. To get the full effect and achieve good compatibility with the substrate, the 2D material needs to be dispersed and used in a formulation. In addition, the coatings must have appropriate rheology, wetting and adhesion properties for a good and durable result.

Lightweight materials and composites

Graphene and related 2D materials such as hexagonal boron nitride (hBN) can be used to form composite materials that provide improved functions and properties. For example, graphene can be added to cement, cellulose, rubber, metal and plastic to improve mechanical properties and conductivity. Graphene incorporation can improve both production and products in, for example, additive manufacturing. In lightweight composite materials, the addition of graphene can increase both electrical and thermal conductivity and mechanical properties. This can be used to add new functions to composites, such as localized heating for wind turbine blades or parts of aircraft structures, as well as opportunities for real-time monitoring of a composite's performance, known as health-monitoring. It is also possible to use graphene as a conductor for signal management, thus reducing or minimizing the amount of wiring in a vehicle.

Membranes

Graphene-related materials can be used in filters and membrane filtration to purify water and air, including carbon capture.

Electronics

2D materials open the door to major changes in the design and manufacture of electronic systems. The benefits can be performance- and cost-related and/or sustainability-driven. However, the materials need to be dispersed in order to be processed. They also need to be extensively tested in the evaluated application. Here we at RISE contribute with our expertise in the combination of 2D materials and electronics. We help you adapt and implement 2D materials in electronic systems for better functionality, cost and/or a stronger sustainability profile.

Printed electronics
Printed electronics offer great opportunities to create new products and electronic systems based on conventional printing technology. Paper, plastic, leather, and other materials can be provided with electronic and bioelectronic functions.

Measurement technology
As one of the first national measurement institutes to start using graphene for regular calibration, at RISE we have many years of experience with the material. We conduct several research projects and work to commercialize our graphene components.

Nowadays, quantum physical phenomena are used to realize many important quantities in the SI system. In the field of electrical metrology, graphene has proven to be the most suitable material to realize the unit of resistance (Ohm) via the so-called quantized Hall effect. This means that virtually all (calibrated) electrical measurements in Sweden can be traced back to graphene standards that we have at RISE. Graphene has thus been given an important role in a society that is increasingly electrified and digitized.

At RISE we have world-leading expertise in electrical measurement technology with graphene and we can help you with electrical measurements on graphene materials as well as microfabrication of graphene samples.

Sensors

Graphene opens new possibilities for sensor technology due to its properties, such as large surface-to-volume ratio, unique optical properties, excellent electrical conductivity, high carrier wave mobility/density and high thermal capacity. The large surface area allows for large numbers of sensor molecules. The excellent ability to conduct electric current enables efficient transport carriers between sensor molecules and electrodes.

RISE supports academic and industrial partners with the development of smart and innovative sensor applications of graphene and other 2D materials. We cover the entire chain from material development to product implementation via process development and scale-up.

Energy

2D materials have unique properties, which among other things offer keys to reducing carbon emissions and promoting sustainable energy solutions.

Batteries
Development of new battery materials and improvement of existing battery chemistry are important focus areas for RISE. RISE is at the forefront of research in active materials, binders and additive components for advanced battery technology. Our expertise spans a broad spectrum of battery chemistry ranging from lithium-ion, sodium-ion, solid-state, dual-ion batteries and supercapacitors.

In these areas, 2D materials are of great interest, not least for the development of new cathode and anode materials, but also for improving battery performance in terms of energy density, durability, safety and sustainability.

Hydrogen gas
With the emergence of the hydrogen industry, 2D materials such as graphene, h-BN, MoS2, enable promising new approaches. Graphene-based coatings and materials have potential both as protective coatings (corrosion protection and gas barriers) and as fillers for polymer composites. New MoS2-based catalysts and graphene electrode coatings are being investigated to provide electrolytic cells that are more efficient and have longer lifetimes.

Catalysts

Graphene and 2D materials can be used as supports for catalysts, or as alternatives to metals in various applications. For example, graphene can be used instead of precious metals as catalysts in some chemical reactions. By replacing critical metals with these materials, the need for rare metals, which are difficult to obtain, can be reduced.

Biotechnology

2D materials like graphene open up a world of possibilities. Its use in biomedical technologies, from advanced sensors to drug delivery, shows promise for improving the quality of human life through groundbreaking medical advances.

Sustainability

Developing new materials often involves changes in the work environment, ranging from safety and health to new work processes and ergonomics. Therefore, organisations may need to carry out a risk assessment and involve both management and workers in planning and implementation. To achieve sustainability in all aspects, the organisation may also need to consider environmental, economic and social sustainability, which can be done through a life cycle assessment.

Läs mer:
Physical work environment
Grafen och arbetsmiljöfrågor
Life cycle assessment (LCA)

Would you like to know more? Contact Karin Persson, see contact details below.