Australian researchers cook up graphene using soybean oil
– CSIRO scientist
Researchers at the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO) have discovered a way of producing graphene using soybean oil.
The team of scientists have developed a technique, known as GraphAir, that heats soybean oil in a tube furnace until the oil decomposes into carbon ‘building blocks.’
The carbon is then rapidly cooled on nickel foil, where it diffuses into a one nanometre thick rectangular film of graphene.
The team have also managed to transform other types of renewable oil, including waste oils used in cooking, into graphene by using GraphAir technology.
Previously the cost and time-intensive nature of creating graphene has limited its production to laboratories, however GraphAir is a sustainable, cheap and easy method of manufacturing graphene.
It is also a lot quicker than traditional methods, taking only 30 minutes rather than several hours.
Dr Zhao Jun Han, scientist at CSIRO and co-author of the project, said: “This ambient-air process for graphene fabrication is fast, simple, safe, potentially scalable, and integration friendly. Our unique technology is expected to reduce the cost of graphene production and improve the uptake in new applications.”
Dr Jun Han and his team, including co-author Dr Dong Han Seo, are now trying to find a way to increase production to a larger scale and are searching for commercial partners to make this a reality.
Graphene has 200 times the strength of steel, and is widely regarded by scientists as the world’s strongest material.
The carbon-based material has a number of high-performing electrical, mechanical, thermal and optical properties and has the potential to create more effective electronics and solar cells, and can be used to rid the air of fuel fumes as a pollution filter.
Research into graphene has advanced significantly in recent times. Last month a team of researchers at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) created a new sponge-like and super-strong material by compressing and fusing flakes of graphene. In February 2017, a group of British scientists demonstrated how graphene could be applied in buildings as ‘smart wallpaper’ to generate electricity from waste light or heat.
Graphene technology design architecture science research Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research OrganisationUAE’s first Dior Spa debuts in Dubai at Dorchester Collection’s newest hotel, The Lana
Europe's premier Evian Spa unveiled at Hôtel Royal in France
Clinique La Prairie unveils health resort in China after two-year project
GoCo Health Innovation City in Sweden plans to lead the world in delivering wellness and new science
Four Seasons announces luxury wellness resort and residences at Amaala
Aman sister brand Janu debuts in Tokyo with four-floor urban wellness retreat
€38m geothermal spa and leisure centre to revitalise Croatian city of Bjelovar
Two Santani eco-friendly wellness resorts coming to Oman, partnered with Omran Group
Kerzner shows confidence in its Siro wellness hotel concept, revealing plans to open 100
Ritz-Carlton, Portland unveils skyline spa inspired by unfolding petals of a rose
Rogers Stirk Harbour & Partners are just one of the names behind The Emory hotel London and Surrenne private members club
Peninsula Hot Springs unveils AUS$11.7m sister site in Australian outback
IWBI creates WELL for residential programme to inspire healthy living environments
Conrad Orlando unveils water-inspired spa oasis amid billion-dollar Evermore Resort complex
Studio A+ realises striking urban hot springs retreat in China's Shanxi Province
Populous reveals plans for major e-sports arena in Saudi Arabia
Wake The Tiger launches new 1,000sq m expansion
Othership CEO envisions its urban bathhouses in every city in North America
Merlin teams up with Hasbro and Lego to create Peppa Pig experiences
SHA Wellness unveils highly-anticipated Mexico outpost
One&Only One Za’abeel opens in Dubai featuring striking design by Nikken Sekkei
Luxury spa hotel, Calcot Manor, creates new Grain Store health club
'World's largest' indoor ski centre by 10 Design slated to open in 2025
Murrayshall Country Estate awarded planning permission for multi-million-pound spa and leisure centre
Aman's Janu hotel by Pelli Clarke & Partners will have 4,000sq m of wellness space
Therme Group confirms Incheon Golden Harbor location for South Korean wellbeing resort
Universal Studios eyes the UK for first European resort
King of Bhutan unveils masterplan for Mindfulness City, designed by BIG, Arup and Cistri
Rural locations are the next frontier for expansion for the health club sector
Tonik Associates designs new suburban model for high-end Third Space health and wellness club
How Portugal’s biggest brewer enlisted the help of one of the country’s best known architects to turn two historic nature parks into thermal spa and nature destinations