What is Graphergia?
With the aim of transforming the energy landscape, GRAPHERGIA is a Research and Innovation Project spanning 3.5 years, initiated in October 2023. Teamed by 11 partners from six European countries, our goal is to develop a novel, holistic approach to achieve laser-assisted, eco-friendly processes for the synthesis, processing, functionalization, and simultaneous integration of graphene-based materials directly into pertinent energy harvesting and storage devices.
Achieving scalable, cost-effective, and climate-neutral production of graphene-based materials will accelerate the development of high-market-uptake products for the energy sector, contributing to significant economic, environmental, and social impact. Through our research and innovation, we aim to exert influence on a diverse array of stakeholders involved in shaping the future landscape of energy harvesting and storage solutions.
The consortium is poised to create innovative concepts for (2D) materials engineering and integration, elevating the technology readiness level (TRL) to 5 or beyond. This initiative aims to establish adaptable pilot-scale methodologies for two main applications, grounded in eco-design principles:
Imagine clothes that connect you to the IoT with wireless signals, making you a walking, talking, tech-integrated individual.
Smart clothing not only looks great, it also serves a purpose. GRAPHERGIA spearheads the development of all-in-one, multifunctional self-charging power textiles, seamlessly integrating advanced electronic systems into the fabric.
In addition to providing batteryless solutions for wearables, this technology offers a user-centric interface to the IoT through wireless sensor signal transmission.
By leveraging the partners’ tech know-how and Intellectual Property Rights (IPR)-protected technologies, GRAPHERGIA is on the brink of defining the future of next-generation electrodes for Li-ion batteries, blending them with Two-dimensional (2D) materials.
The outcome is a dry-electrode fabrication approach for producing advanced graphene-based electrodes for next gen LIB cells. A comprehensive approach will be employed, integrating 2D materials and process-oriented methodologies, utilizing cost-effective raw materials and scalable fabrication techniques to ensure economically viable and environmentally sustainable solutions.
Our needs
The escalating energy challenge, prompted by the surging demand to power an array of commodities such as electronic wearables and batteries for portable electronics, underscores the imperative for the development of innovative, environmentally friendly, and cost-effective solutions. Current energy needs addressed by GRAPHERGIA include:
As we swiftly transition into the era of the Internet of Things (IoT), wireless sensor networks for personalized healthcare and “quantified selfers”, require the implementation of widespread energy conversion solutions to provide sustainable power for billions of distributed devices.
Self-charging power textiles based on graphene electrodes, developed in GRAPHERGIA, will offer a human-body-centric technology and enable user interface with the IoT through the wireless transmission of sensor signals.
Transforming electrode fabrication methods for LIB cells is now a necessity, moving away from intricate slurry-based processes towards versatile, digital, and waste-free laser-based technologies.
GRAPHERGIA defines a credible “dry electrode” approach to fabricate next generation graphene/Si electrodes for structural LIB cells to support space-related applications.
Our innovations
GRAPHERGIA brings together innovations to create strategic synergies and develop an integral approach for radically new energy technology solutions, leading to real-life applications, including:
Novel laser-based roll-to-roll (R2R) pilot-line for graphene deposition on textiles/flexible substrates
Novel method for LIB electrodes based on graphene
Production ready chemical vapor deposition process for organic coatings on graphene electrodes
Ionic liquids incorporated polymer-gel-electrolyte-based micro-flexible supercapacitors of e-textiles
Novel micro-electromechanical system plasma switch for high voltage conditioning of TENG-based e-textiles
Novel all-in-one TENG self-charging, batteryless, IoT-interfaced power textile
Novel self-powered structurally integrated sensor for aerospace structures
Advanced graphene-based LIB module prototype for space applications
GRAPHERGIA’s solutions are set to bring about multifaceted impacts on science, economy, and society, aligning with critical EU priorities:
Creating forefront knowledge in the key area of green, sustainable, carbon-neutral and high-quality, large-scale synthesis of graphene-based materials, GRAPHERGIA employs inherently scalable, laser-based methods that are compatible with current technology platforms.
Maintaining industrial leadership in the 2D materials value chain, GRAPHERGIA aims to enhance the competitiveness of the European industry in the emerging fields of smart clothing and the rapidly growing area of Electrochemical Energy Storage (EES).
Supporting job growth and competitiveness in the materials, smart clothing and battery industry, GRAPHERGIA aspires to offer the European SMEs important competitive advantages against their relevant rivals in Asia and the USA.
Combating climate change GRAPHERGIA applies concepts and employs less energy-intensive processes for fabricating graphene electrodes. This reduces carbon emissions, minimizes waste, and decreases the reliance on batteries in specific applications of wearable devices.
Improving the quality of life for EU citizens GRAPHERGIA aims to provide a new generation of eco-designed, low-cost wearables with diverse applications in IoT-related sectors such as personalized healthcare, sports, fashion, gaming, and communication.