Our Graphene Research Journey:  10 years

2014: Graphene Research Initiated      

  • Engaging with two local graphite companies
  • the Group began its pioneering work in graphene research
  • Secure $1M in industry collaborative research funding
  • Focused on developing scalable manufacturing methods and exploring the properties and applications of graphene produced from local graphite

2014: First Lab for Graphene Preparation        

  • Our team embarked on graphene research in 2014 to support local exploration efforts in South Australia
  • Leveraging its substantial graphite deposits estimated at 200 million tons as a foundation for a burgeoning new graphene industry
  • Our pioneering work demonstrated the extraction of high-quality graphene from these local graphite sources using modified Hummer’s method and high-sheer liquid exfoliation
  • Laying the groundwork for starting exciting and long graphene journey

2015: The Growth

  • In 2015, recognizing the potential of graphene research, our university invested to build new dedicated graphene research lab (ca 100 m2), catalysing significant advancements in graphene research and development. This initiative attracted many new industry partners eager to participate
  • First Graphene research team was established
  • New method for exfoliation of graphene was developed
  • Several new research contracts was established with graphite companies
  • Electrochemical process for exfoliation of graphite from Sweeden for Talga lim was demonstrated
  • First PhD students on graphene

2016: The Growth      

  • The first patent for graphene adsorbents is filled
  • The collaboration with MRL corp. lim (First graphene lim) on development on scaling electrochemical process started
  • First ARC Discovery grant on graphene
  • First new discoveries on graphene properties and applications
  • Many Journal papers are published

2017: National Leadership on Graphene Research Translation

  • A pivotal moment arrived in 2017 with the establishment of Australia’s first National research program dedicated to graphene, the ARC Research Hub for Graphene Enabled Industry Transformation, founded and led by Prof. Losic and hosted by the University of Adelaide.
  • 3 new patents are filled on  graphene enhanced fire protection, protective coating and nutrients delivery (fertilizers)
  • 3 Graphene technologies are licensed to industry partners
  • First International award for research Innovation (Grapchina)
  • Project for scaling electrochemical graphene manufacturing process for First Graphene lim completed

2017-2022: The Breakthroughs

  • Collaboration with European Graphene Flagship is established
  • 2018, we hosted and organized the first Australian-European Graphene Workshop, featuring world-renowned graphene researchers
  • 2018 First graphene commissioned plant for electrochemical process of production graphene from graphite with capacity 100 t.a
  • 2018-2020 three patents are filed on sound absorption, radiation shielding and supercapacitors
  • 2019, new Adelaide based graphene company Sparc Technologies ltd. was launched, based on licensed graphene IP generated by our group
  • 2019-2021 Graphene characterization and quality control system, offering services worldwide was established
  • 2020- 2021 Graphene enhanced anti-corrosion paint for Sparc technology was developed
  • 2020-2021 Graphene enhanced barrier pacing coating for industry partner is completed
  • 2022 two new patents on graphene conductive coatings is filled
  • 13 PhD, 20 Masters and +50 Honours projects completed on graphene
  • + 50 Journal papers are published on graphene topic

2023: New Chapter 

  • Moving forward, we are co-leading the second ARC Research Hub for Advanced Manufacturing with 2D materials (2023-2027), hosted at Monash University, continuing our legacy of graphene research translation & innovation and industry collaboration helping Australian and international graphene Industry with new partners, Ceylon Graphene Technologies
  • Collaboration with new industry partner with new partners is established
  • Successfully completion and ARC approval of ARC Graphene Research Hub program with the estimated financial impact of the investments in graphene research exceeding $200 million
  • Third Australian-European graphene workshop co-organized in Melbourne at Monash University
  • New graphene products developments continue
  • New complementary methods development on characterization and quality control of graphene materials