Ingenieur Vol 68 Oct-Dec 2016 | Page 70

INGENIEUR
HOW GRAPHENE IS MADE FROM BIOMASS
INGENIEUR
NanoChem Sdn Bhd , a subsidiary of Malaysian-owned Graphene Nanochem PLC , entered into a joint venture in 2014 to produce grapheneenhanced drilling fluids and additives for the oil and gas industry . The company has developed an integrated graphene dispersion process for fluid matrices and solutions to create fluids enhanced by graphene for oilfield chemicals and drilling applications . Platinum NanoChem produces the graphene-enhanced nanofluids at its factory in Senawang , Seremban .
Government research agencies and universities in Malaysia that already have prototyping facilities
Government research agencies
SIRIM AMREC
Malaysian Rubber Board
MIMOS
CREST
Government
Universities
Universiti Teknologi Petronas ( UTP )
Nottingham University
Universiti Malaya ( UM )
Universiti Sains Malaysia ( USM )
Universiti Putra Malaysia ( UPM )
Universiti Teknologi Malaysia ( UTM )
Universiti Teknologi Mara ( UiTM )
Universiti Pendidikan Sultan Idris ( UPSI )
NON EXHAUSTIVE
Various equipment and facilities already exist but are fragmented , facilitation by the Government will greatly speed up the process
Research agencies and universities that have prototyping facilities
Enhanced Plastic products
For Malaysian plastics companies , enhancing current products or developing entirely new product lines with graphene , are keys to capturing additional markets . Graphene ’ s unique properties position it to be a highly value-added additive . As a reinforcing filler , graphene can increase the mechanical rigidity and strength of its host plastic . Graphene also adds properties similar to that of other carbon additives — increased electrical
68 VOL 68 OCTOBER - DECEMBER 2016
Awareness building & facilitating “ projects ”
and thermal conductivity and ultraviolet light protection . Graphene also provides cost savings to producers ( compounders or converters ) as a cheaper alternative to existing strength enhancing additives and by allowing producers to use less plastic .
Government Support
While graphene opens many opportunities for growth in various industries , much groundwork needs to be done to realise its potential . Incorporating graphene into various materials is not straightforward . It requires in-depth
Government to play a critical role in establishing and maintaining Graphene project development activities
R & D and prototyping Facilitate “ minority ” funding for R & D and required prototyping facilities
Access to IP advice Facilitate introduction to IP advisory services for patent application or protection
Project execution
Government ’ s role in graphene project development activities
t
Access to Graphene suppliers
Facilitate connection to potential sources of
Graphene
Access to expert network Manage & connect companies to expert networks
Coordination & monitoring
Scale up support

HOW GRAPHENE IS MADE FROM BIOMASS

The Chemical Vapour Deposition method is a “ bottom-up ” approach , which uses methane ( derived from biomass ) as a feedstock to produce graphene . The feedstock is passed over a catalyst at high temperatures which results in graphene forming on the surface of the catalyst . On completion of this process , the system is cooled and the catalyst is removed from the graphene .