GMG, University of Queensland collaborates to manufacture graphene aluminium-ion batteries

The clean-technology company, Graphene Manufacturing Group (GMG), which has developed and proved its proprietary production process to manufacture Graphene powder from readily available low-cost feedstock, manifested a research agreement with the University of Queensland’s Australian Institute for Bioengineering and Nanotechnology (AIBN) for the manufacture of graphene aluminium-ion batteries.

The prototypes of the commercial battery will be developed for watches, phones, laptops, electric vehicles, and grid storage. GMG has also set foot into a license agreement with Uni Quest, the University of Queensland’s commercialization company, for exclusive license of the battery cathode technology.

AIBN Professors Michael Yu, Dr. Xiaodan Huang, and postdoctoral student Yueqi Kong’s technology devise usage drive the battery to charge up to 70 times faster and have recorded higher sustainability than the lithium-ion battery by compelling graphene into a more efficient electrode for powering batteries.

AIBN Director Professor Alan Rowan said, “We are delighted to partner with GMG to translate scientific ideas into commercial solutions through the development of more efficient and greener batteries. The batteries are rechargeable for a larger number of cycles without deteriorating performance and are easier to recycle, reducing the potential for harmful metals to leak into the environment.”

Aluminium-ion batteries rank as a much safer and greener alternative to lithium-ion. The latter has been known to cause fires in some mobile phones and demand the extraction of rare earth materials using large amounts of water and then processed with chemicals that can harm the environment.

Craig Nicol, CEO, GMG stated: “To use local raw materials to manufacture battery cells at a competitive cost to replace imported lithium-ion cells is a massive opportunity for GMG and Australia, to reduce supply chain risks and create local jobs.”

“We’re excited about developing the commercial prototypes followed by initial production here in Australia – at a location yet to be determined.”