Researchers at the University of Caxias do Sul (UCS), in Serra, will start producing graphene on an industrial scale. The material, produced from carbon, has been studied at the institution for about 15 years.
The UCS laboratory was officially opened on Wednesday (15). According to the university, it is the largest graphene production plant on an industrial scale in Latin America.
Graphene is an extremely malleable material and 200 times more resistant than steel. Conducts electrical and thermal energy well. It is a million times smaller than a hair.
According to university researchers, graphene can be used to produce a variety of items, such as helmets, bulletproof vests, LCD screens, rechargeable batteries and even paints. To make a liter of paint, for example, one to ten grams of graphene are needed.
“In the segment we decided to enter, which is plastic, rubber and paint, which practically absorbs 70% of graphene in the world, we developed a plant that could be highly competitive in terms of the price of graphene for the market, for application in these items specifically, “points out Tecno UCS’s coordinator, Enor Tonolli Júnior.
The university’s idea is to sell the product mainly to the Rio Grande do Sul industry. Thus, state companies do not need to buy raw materials from outside.
UCS Graphene coordinator, Diego Piazza, highlights the importance of presenting the material to the industry.
“One of the most important things is to show the industry that its production matrix can benefit from the use of advanced technologies. Technology that is now at their door, since we are installed here, and as a university we have the capacity to produce and assist. “
“This is a very strong relationship that will impact our local industry, it will help the production matrix, with new opportunities, with an innovative product that can add value to the chain”, says UCS Dean, Evaldo Kuiava.
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