Good Morning Prana
The method is significantly different from EDE, HZR, Planartech and Graphene Manufacturing Group method that all use a Gas.
It appears that the method uses liquid petroleum where sonication energy is used to convert the hydrocarbon feedstocks into Graphene and Hydrogen.
This is from the Patent link above (L's Post) there is no mention of hydrogen being produced during the process. I believe this might be a recent discovery.
Experimental Methods
In a typical experiment 50 mL of a liquid medium was sonicated, during which a darkening occurred due to the formation of a dispersion of particles in the liquid medium.
Sonication
Sonication was carried out with a VCX 750 (750 W) ultra-sonic processor (ex Sonics Materials Inc.) and a 13 mm extender horn, which delivered ultrasound to a 50 mL sample of hydrocarbon contained within a jacketed glass beaker. Cold water (10° C.) was passed through the jacket to keep the liquid hydrocarbon below its flash point. A PTFE lid was used to prevent splashing whilst compressed air or nitrogen was blown over the surface of the hydrocarbon to inhibit condensation inside the reaction vessel. The whole apparatus was housed inside a box to reduce acoustic noise.
It appears that Thomas Swan - Might have been one of 2 people who cited the original research, which gives me the impression that our CTO - Paul might be the connection that has resulted in this new development,
My critical points. - FGR Management -
If the following is correct, this is the issue I have with the companies poor disclosure to its shareholders.
It appears FGR and the 3 partners have been working on this for a number of months,
First of all, we have secured the Global License to the technology, you do not agree to the commercial terms on a license without validating the process.
The Government Grants for Innovate UK opened on the 1st of September and closed on the 30th of September, the announcement for successful applicants was yesterday. (2 months) I cannot see FGR and Kainos Innovation Ltd agreeing to development the technology that was reliant only of a government grant.
innovate UK - Your project -There is no minimum or maximum limit on your total project costs.
Each funded partner can claim up to 80% of their eligible project costs, up to a maximum of £175,000. This amount cannot exceed their cumulative aid total of 800,000 euros if they have received other funding as part of the COVID-19 Temporary Framework.
Craigs comments points that this has been progressing for a while, "This new, innovative process provides our company with a foot in the door of both lithium-ion cathode materials and hydrogen production businesses. Further test work and process advancement is obviously required before we can comment on commerciality, but we are very encouraged by results achieved so far. The UK Government grant is a vote of confidence in what we are working on”
The good news, UK’s Sustainable Innovation fund advises the following, "return your grant offer letter by 14 December 2020, and be ready to start by 1 January 2021. Projects can last up to 3 months."
We should see an update prior to April 2021 to complete the testwork on the following.
validate the process chemistry and optimise the choice of petroleum feedstock;
confirm the capture of hydrogen gas; and
prove the product performance in enhanced lithium-ion battery cathodes.
As part of the Government Grants, FGR and Kainos Innovation Ltd only require one University, GEIC could have tested the graphene produced in lithium-ion batteries (proof of concept) which leads me to believe the collaboration has been ongoing for some months to involve WMG (UK's battery testing specialists) in the project.
FGR management has picked up a fantastic global license, it will take some time to prove to commercialise success of the IP, it is fantastic that you have secured government funding to help with advancing the project.
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