3 Oct 2019 07:00
03 October 2019
Applied Graphene Materials
("Applied Graphene Materials", "AGM", or "the Company")
AGM develops composite applications for space exploration with Infinite Composites Technologies
Applied Graphene Materials (LSE: AGM), the producer of specialty graphene materials, and Infinite Composites Technologies ("Infinite Composites"), a designer, developer and manufacturer of composite pressure vessels, have together developed a composite material technology suitable for specific space applications.
Infinite Composites has successfully incorporated AGM's graphene technology into two resin systems for cryogenic pressure vessels being considered for use in multiple NASA spaceflight missions, including materials on the International Space Station Experiments (MISSE), Artemis, and Lunar Gateway. This achievement follows extensive product development and a rigorous testing programme as part of a long-standing relationship between AGM and Infinite Composites. Subject of a recent prestigious SBIR NASA award, the Infinite Composites team is focused on the continuing development of their cryogenic pressure vessel systems for space applications.
The addition of AGM's graphene technology has helped enabled the tanks to complete their first liquid oxygen loading test at -300ºF pressurized to 600 psi. Analysis of the composite structure using Scanning Electron Microscope techniques indicated that the addition of the graphene technology eliminated nearly all microfractures in resin samples after exposure to the extreme cryogenic environment versus the control samples.
These results once again demonstrate the ability of AGM's technology to effectively manage fracture toughness and robustness of composite structures for long-term durability.
Matt Villarreal, Founder and CEO of Infinite Composites, said:
"We are fortunate to have a great company like AGM as a part of the Infinite Composites supply chain for innovative graphene materials. The customized dispersed graphene materials that are integrated into our 2 resin systems enable ease of use and in turn ensure quality, repeatable structures to be built, where performance is critical to the market we operate in."
Adrian Potts, CEO of Applied Graphene Materials, said:
"I am delighted to see the success that Infinite Composites have been able to realise with the integration of AGM's graphene technology into the most demanding of composite applications. This result is a real testament to our years of collaboration with their team to deliver significant performance enhancements for their specific application, and reflects AGM's commitment to robust product development and product integration tailored to customer systems.
AGM is proud to be working with the Infinite Composites team on this exciting development effort to support the future of space flight and sustainable transportation. In demanding applications such as this where failure is not an option, it is pleasing that our graphene dispersions are driving the performance of composite materials. We congratulate the Infinite Composites team and look forward to contributing to further successes."
Applied Graphene Materials +44 (0) 1642 438 214
Adrian Potts, Chief Executive Officer
David Blain, Chief Financial Officer
N+1 Singer +44 (0) 207 496 3000
Richard Lindley / Justin McKeegan
Hudson Sandler +44 (0) 207 796 4133
Charlie Jack / Emily Dillon
Notes to Editors
Infinite Composites Technologies
Founded in 2010, Infinite Composites Technologies is the only linerless, composite pressure vessel manufacturer AS9100D & ISO9001:2015 certified to design, develop and manufacture advanced gas storage systems. The company's simplified all-composite design provides an optimal solution for storing compressed and cryogenic fluids by reducing mass, cost, and lead time versus traditional spacecraft pressure vessels. For more information visit https://infinitecomposites.com or call +1 918-409-0384.
Applied Graphene Materials
Applied Graphene Materials works in partnership with its customers using its knowledge and expertise to provide bespoke graphene dispersions and formats to deliver enhancements and benefits for a wide range of applications. The Group's strategy is to target commercial applications in three core markets: coatings, composites and functional materials.
The Group has developed proprietary bottom-up processes which are capable of producing high purity graphene nanoplatelets using a continuous process. The manufacturing process is based on sustainable, readily available raw materials and therefore does not rely on the supply of graphite, unlike a number of other graphene production techniques. Applied Graphene Materials owns the intellectual property and know-how behind this process.
Applied Graphene Materials was founded by Professor Karl Coleman in 2010 with its operations and processes based on technology that he initially developed at Durham University. The Group was admitted to AIM in November 2013, raising £11 million, and is based at the Wilton Site on Teesside. In January 2016 the Group raised £8.5m to support its ongoing activities and in October 2017 the Group raised a further £9.8m.