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First Graphene advances multi-million dollar UK projects
1 Posted By Advanced Carbons Council, Thursday, July 3, 2025 2
First Graphene Begins Testing for Hydrogen Storage and Metal 3D Printing Innovations
First Graphene (ASX:FGR) has commenced testing activities at its research and development facility in Manchester, United Kingdom, as part of the HyPStore Project. This $3.72 million initiative focuses on the development and commercialisation of next-generation hydrogen storage systems, specifically lightweight and impermeable cryogenic tanks designed for the safe storage and transport of liquid hydrogen.
Advancing Liquid Hydrogen Storage with Graphene
The HyPStore Project targets the use of liquid hydrogen, which offers higher energy density and greater storage efficiency compared to gaseous hydrogen. Liquid hydrogen can also be stored for extended periods without the continuous requirement for high-pressure containment systems. Stargate Hydrogen has noted these advantages as key factors driving the innovation.
First Graphene, currently valued at approximately $19.46 million in market capitalisation, has initiated material testing using graphene samples supplied by the Australian Sunlight Group. The objective is to develop a graphene-enhanced resin system, which will be evaluated alongside the company’s proprietary PureGRAPH product. The integration of graphene nanoplatelets into the resin aims to create a barrier within the tank structure, enhancing its impermeability. Early results have shown that this technique may reduce hydrogen permeability by as much as 48 times.
Material Testing and Tank Prototyping Underway
To assess material performance, the company is utilizing a Tinius Olsen Universal Tester. This equipment conducts various evaluations, including tensile, compressive, and flexural strength testing. The apparatus will be used to examine First Graphene’s materials during the first quarter of the upcoming financial year, with potential application across a broader client base in multiple sectors.
Nine organisations from Australia and the United Kingdom are collaborating on the HyPStore Project. Progress to date includes the manufacture of a prototype Type V hydrogen storage tank and the establishment of facilities to test its performance under cryogenic conditions.
Supporting Graphene Research in Metal 3D Printing
In addition to its hydrogen storage efforts, First Graphene is participating in a 10-month research collaboration with Imperial College London and University College London. This project is focused on scaling up the use of chemically modified graphene in the 3D printing of metals. It has secured a £1.2 million (approximately $1.2 million) grant from Innovate UK.
The research aims to enhance laser printing processes by incorporating graphene into copper metals. This integration may improve the metal's ability to absorb laser energy, enabling it to melt more rapidly and at lower temperatures. These advancements could reduce the energy consumption and operational costs of metal 3D printing.
Metal additive manufacturing plays a critical role in high-performance sectors such as aerospace and motor sports. First Graphene has indicated that its participation in the project may contribute to accelerating the adoption of graphene-enhanced 3D printing technologies, aligning with growing industry demand for more energy-efficient and sustainable manufacturing solutions.
Ann: New Market Opportunities in Hydrogen & Aerospace Industries, page-3
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