Versarien wins £1.95 million graphene research development agreement
Graphene has been described as something of a wonder material – but what does the Nobel Prize-winning discovery bring to the world of tyres?
Versarien plc, which makes nanocompounds for tyre applications amongst other things, is was awarded a product development funding from the Defence, Science and Technology Laboratory (DSTL), a part of the Ministry of Defence at the end of November 2020.
According to the company, the agreement relates to development of “graphene loaded polymer composites for certain defence related applications,” the details of which remain confidential. The company has reportedly been awarded the agreement due to its technical applications capability in conjunction with its accredited graphene quality.
The agreement contains a number of work packages including literature review, development of graphene loaded polymer composites for three specific applications, demonstration of the applications and exploitation of the applications. The work packages are due for completion by 31 March 2022.
While the details of exactly what Versarien is working on in relation to the MOD’s DSTL funding are unsurprisingly secret, we do know that the company it is already working on an aerospace propulsion project with Rolls Royce, another project with the Advanced Propulsion Centre for the reduction of vehicle emissions as well as work to do with graphene tyre properties. Therefore, it is likely that Versarien’s MOD-related research has an automotive flavour.
Indeed, according to Versarien’s interim six-month results to September 2020 (which were published on 21 January 2021 and show revenues of £3.12 million and adjusted losses of £1.13 million), the company’s projects show that nano-compounds result in roughly a third better stiffness without corresponding losses in grip or mileage.
So far Versarien’s elastomers work package has produced an 80 kilogram graphene/rubber masterbatch “to support large scale compounding trials at a customer site in the US”. The identity of this customer site hasn’t been revealed, but is described as “a leading manufacturer of premium…tyres”.
80 kilograms might not sound like a large amount, but it is a significant advance on the 500 grams of Nanene Versarien made for an unnamed European tyre maker back in April 2018.
Initial tests appear to be bearing positive results as well as an early orientation in the direction of electric vehicle applications:
“In tyres, initial tests which have been undertaken indicate that we can increase the modulus (stiffness) of the tyre rubber compound by 30 per cent. This increase in stiffness is achieved with no increase in tyre hardness which means that while rolling resistance is decreased, there is no loss of grip that would be associated with a harder tyre. If these results can be maintained or even improved at scale up, this project could lead to the production of tyres specifically aimed at the electric vehicle market.”
Commenting on Versarien’s MOD-related funding, CEO Neill Ricketts commented: “Versarien is delighted to have been awarded this Agreement by DSTL, which acknowledges the quality of our products and technical ability. We look forward to completing the project on time and to supporting the Ministry of Defence in applying graphene to military applications.”
Comments