First Graphene features in new solar thermal and automotive products

Ireland-based Senergy has released a range of products covering on-roof solar thermal, integrated solar thermal and automotive technologies making use of First Graphene’s PureGRAPH.

According to a statement from ASX-listed nanomaterials company First Graphene on Wednesday, Senergy’s polymer heat exchange materials incorporate PureGRAPH. 

First Graphene CEO Michael Bell said Senergy’s commercialisation of several new material technologies represented “another demonstration of how our product can be used to improve performance across a range of applications.  

“While the Senergy’s orderbook for PureGRAPH is not yet significant, their aspiration to rollout solar thermal technology to 250,000 homes means demand is set to lift.” 

Senergy has so far installed its panels at various sites in Ireland and at Stoneybrook University  in New York.  

PureGRAPH is a range of graphene formulations added to other productions to give benefits including light weighting, fire retardancy, and electrical and thermal conductivity. It has been used in seven new products from Senergy to improve the conductivity and efficiency required for heat energy transfer in solar. 

Senergy’s materials “can be processed into complex shapes required for solar panels while maintaining functional properties” according to the release, with panels “proven to save up to 60 [per cent] of household water heating energy costs” and being “up to four times more efficient than traditional photovoltaic (PV) heating”.

The Irish company has also established five automotive grade polymers through its SenTherm product range, each using PureGRAPH and each aiming to reduce weight and improve thermal management in electric vehicles by replacing common  metal components.

Perth-based First Graphene was established in 2017, and provides graphene as well as applications development involving the material.

Picture: First Graphene

Further reading

Three tonnes of First Graphene’s additive delivered ahead of UK concrete trials

First Graphene’s new graphene additives markets

First Graphene and team begin UK graphene-in-cement trials

First Graphene applies to market new material in Australia

A concrete example of one wonder-material’s progress