By Daniel Schwen, via Wikimedia Commons
Graphite ore
Graphite ore
A company that specialises in producing graphene materials has entered the growing 3D printing arena.
Canadian business Grafoid has announced it has signed an agreement with advanced materials manufacturing consultancy Altamat to construct an atomisation facility to produce MesoGrafgraphene (MesoGraf )-based filaments and powders for additive manufacturing.
MesoGraf is a "unique process", according to Grafoid, for transforming graphite ore into graphene, which has led to the creation of a suite of economically scalable graphene products for both industrial and commercial applications.
Alberta-based Altamat's founder Dr Hani Henein signed the deal with Grafoid's CEO Gary Economo agreeing to give Grafoid exclusive rights to apply technologies created by Dr Heinein, who is a renowned inventor and researcher and a professor of Material Engineering at the University of Alberta.
Grafoid believes MesoGraf sets the bar for high-energy density grapheme from a globally-patented process, which transforms raw, unprocessed graphite ore into an affordable and scalable material. This work is set to continue in Grafoid's research and development, and production facilities in North America and Singapore.
Mr Economo said: "Success in 3D graphene printed materials markets comes from an ability to create the highest performing products at the lowest possible cost on a safe and environmentally sustainable basis.
"Our agreement with Altamat and Dr Henein's engineering expertise adds yet another element to Grafoid's expanding portfolio of MesoGraf graphene development."
The atomisation facility will be built at Grafoid's Ontario facility at the Innovation Park in Kingston. This venture will help Grafoid meet growing industrial demand for scalable mass production of new MesoGraf-based 3D printable powders and filaments.
