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         Cross section of carbon fiber composite sample nano-structured by our product for Ultra Lightweighting.

TOROIDAL
GRAPHENE

Key to electrification

The unique selling point of our patented product, Toroidal graphene, is the capacity to boost the electrical conductivity of copper to quantifiable improvements of 300-375%, a level that exceeds industry demands and significantly outperforms our main competitor, 2D graphene, and translates into tangible benefits such as increased energy efficiency and reduced carbon emissions, which aligns with sustainability goals and supports the green transition.

INDUSTRIAL
CASE STUDIES

The performance enhancement capability of Toroidal graphene has been documented by us in several industrial case studies, where components made of composite materials nano-structured by Toroidal graphene at concentrations of 0.0025-0.01wt% was demonstrated under real operational conditions (TRL-level 7):

• A grinding support made of nano-structured bronze (tin copper) was tested by Thyssen in Germany. The test showed an improvement in abrasive wear resistance of 500% compared to Thyssen’s grinding supports. Hardness and electrical conductivity improvements were measured to 40% and 375%, respectively. The size of the improvement in electrical conductivity by adding such ultra-low concentrations of our product proves that the toroidal graphene molecule has an intrinsic electrical conductivity of at least 600-750 times higher than copper.

Grinding support

• In an experimental study to find a substitute for the toxic beryllium copper, beryllium was replaced by our product. Mechanical properties were preserved, and electrical conductivity improved by 300%.

•A tool holder for turning was made of nano-structured carbon fiber composite. In demonstrations it allowed turning at 200,000 rpm with a maximum tool deflection of 2 mm, which is an improvement by a factor of 20 compared to steel. SP Technical Research Institute of Sweden conducted independent testing of the compression modulus of the tool holder, which verified a performance enhancement of over 40% compared to Japanese world-leading carbon fiber manufacturer Toray.

Steel replacing, vibration-dampening machine tool holder for turning.

• A pervaporation membrane for separating azeotropic mixtures made of nano-structured thermoplastic (PPO) didn’t influence the pervaporation properties but showed an improvement in biaxial tensile strength of 85%.

• Chemical resistance to nuclear waste in borosilicate glass, nano-structured with our product, has been measured to 400% improvement.

• Laboratory environment feasibility studies have shown improvements in tensile strength of epoxy by 39%; in flexural modulus of T700 carbon fiber fabric by 45%, which is equivalent to T1300-level; and in flexural modulus of engineering plastics by 54%.

TECHNOLOGY

Toroidal graphene molecule

The toroidal graphene molecule is a nano-scientifically engineered zero-dimensional1 sp2-hybridized carbon allotrope, consisting of 30-40 defect-free graphene layers free from function-group content, geometrically fixed in a closed conjugated system with delocalized pi-electrons interacting freely in circular motion in the closed loop of the cyclic structure of the toroid instead of being occupied in pi-bonds with adjacent graphene layers. Thus, the toroidal graphene molecule exhibits delocalization of pi-electrons from the multiple layers in coherent oscillations across the entire molecule.

1. 0D nanomaterials have zero dimensions larger than the nanoscale and thus have all three dimensions confined at the nanoscale, as opposed to 2D nanomaterials like 2D graphene, which have two dimensions larger than the nanoscale, and one dimension confined at the nanoscale. Nanoscale refers to dimensions on the order of nanometers, ranging from 1 to 100 nanometers.

TEM image of the toroidal graphene molecule

Giant resonance

The coherent motion of delocalized pi-electrons arises from quantum mechanical principles, where neighboring pi-electrons exhibit wave-like constructive interference patterns, which occur when the wavefunctions of pi-electrons of the multiple layers align in phase, leading to an amplification of the oscillations that ultimately trigger a resonant response.

This resonance phenomenon, known as giant resonance, leads to a significant enhancement of the electromagnetic field within the molecule, amplifying its intensity by a factor of 30,000, as observed in Raman scattering experiments, where the amplification results in stronger Raman signals, providing direct evidence of the giant resonance phenomenon.

Field amplification factor dependence of the dielectric constant in the toroidal graphene molecule at the wavelength of 109 nm

NANO-
STRUCTURING
CAPABILIITY

Extreme electron mobility together with exceptional structural and thermal integrity makes Toroidal graphene the ideal nanostructuring agent for enhancing composite materials such as metal alloys, engineering plastics, and carbon fiber.

The incorporation of toroidal graphene molecules into a composite material significantly influences its overall performance. When uniformly dispersed, they establish a stable internal network within the material. The network stability arises from the alignment and attraction of temporary dipoles between the toroidal graphene molecules and neighboring atoms and molecules, a phenomenon known as van der Waals forces.

Notably, the van der Waals forces exerted by the toroidal graphene molecules demonstrate heightened strength and expanded range, owing to modified electron density and electronic polarization induced by giant resonance.

Van der Waals-forces interaction range in copper

Densified interfacial layers

Dispersing toroidal graphene molecules uniformly in a copper matrix with a spacing of 550 nm, and thereby ensuring optimal interaction between the temporary dipoles of adjacent toroidal graphene molecules, promote the formation of a denser, more compact interfacial layer between the toroidal graphene molecules and the surrounding copper atoms.
Amplified van der Waals forces between the toroidal graphene molecules and the copper atoms play a crucial role in promoting stronger interactions at the interfaces. The attractive forces pull the copper atoms closer to the toroidal graphene molecules, thereby contributing to the densification of the interfacial layer with improved cohesion and adhesion.
The confined motion of pi-electrons within the toroidal graphene molecules leads to quantum confinement effects. This phenomenon results in the localization of charge carriers (electrons) near the interface, enhancing the interaction between the toroidal graphene molecules and the copper atoms. Consequently, this localization further contributes to the formation of a more compact interfacial layer.
The presence of toroidal graphene molecules modulates the surface energy of the copper atoms, creating a more favorable environment for the aggregation of copper atoms near the interface. The modulation of surface energy contributes further still to the densification of the interfacial layer, ultimately resulting in a more compact structure.

Superior electrical and thermal conductivity

The densified interfacial layers within the nanostructured copper facilitate better contact between the toroidal graphene molecules and the copper atoms, improving the pathways for electron and phonon transport through the composite material.
The strong interactions at the interface influence the movement of charge carriers and phonons within the copper. More efficient transfer pathways increase the mobility of charge carriers and phonons, reduce scattering, and minimize energy losses, which increases the mean free path of the charge carriers and the phonons, ultimately reducing resistance and contributing to higher electrical and thermal conductivity.
Stronger intermolecular interactions also lead to smoother surfaces and reduced frictional resistance, resulting in improved durability and longevity of the material.

In the case of carbon fiber composites, an interfacial layer is formed around the carbon fibers as well.

SEM image (x2000) of interfacial layer

COMPETITION

Competing technologies in the nanomaterial industry are mainly based on Carbon nanotubes (CNTs) or 2D graphene.

Carbon nanotubes

CNTs have been used as an additive in tens of thousands of attempts to modify materials and exits from this market include Bayer AG which described the potential applications of CNTs as ‘fragmented with comprehensive commercialization not likely in the foreseeable future’.

Torus vs Tube: Semi-scientific demonstration by the co-founder of the lifebuoy-shape of the toroidal graphene molecule that provides a micro-mechanical flotation device-style interlocking adding to the degree of efficiency as a nano-structuring agent as opposed to the detrimental sliding of the atomically smooth walls of the CNTs, which eventually will cause stress concentration and crack initiation.

2D graphene

In the competitive landscape of nanomaterials, 2D graphene stands out as a key player, having been recognized by the Nobel Prize in Physics in 2010 for its remarkable properties. However, the practical implementation of 2D graphene encounters significant obstacles. Although labeled as possessing strength ‘200 times greater than steel,’ this strength is solely achievable at the nanoscale within an ideal hexagonal lattice, a standard not possible to attain in practical applications. In reality, 2D graphene flakes contain structural defects along their edges, which limit their mechanical strength and load-bearing capacity in composite materials.

Commercialization of graphene-based products has been hindered by these challenges, despite substantial investment in research and development globally. In Sweden, there are initiatives such as SIO Grafen and the EU’s Graphene Flagship that are focused on promoting innovation in graphene technology. However, it is important to note that these initiatives have established criteria that exclude technologies with more than 10 layers. As a result, any graphene layer-driven technology beyond this limit is classified as graphite and is deemed ineligible for funding.

Overall, while the nanostructure of the graphene layer holds great promise, realizing its potential in real-world applications requires exploring alternative graphene solutions that offer defect-free graphene layers with greater structural and thermal integrity, such as the toroidal graphene molecule.

AEROSPACE
ULTRA
LIGHT-
WEIGHTING

With a systems-level approach, which involves considering the potential for ultra lightweighting from the beginning of the design process, it is possible to optimize the design of a 300-seat, 140-ton carbon fiber jet with a list price of $325m.

One kilogram of our product ultra-lightweights the carbon fiber parts of a 140-ton carbon fiber jet and addresses the following five primary areas of aerospace lightweighting:

Weight savings – Our product allows for weight savings of 40% of the carbon fiber composite parts or a total of 28 tons, which equals cost savings of $8.7m.

Fuel consumption – Our product allows for a reduction in fuel consumption by 20% or 10+ tons of fuel for a single Atlantic crossing, which equals cost savings of $10m over the life of the aircraft.

CO2 emissions – Our product allows for a reduction in CO2 emissions by 20% or 30+ tons for a single Atlantic crossing.

Range – Our product improves range flexibility by 20% or 2,800 km, thereby increasing the number of possible non-stop destinations around the world.

Aircraft lightning protection – Carbon fiber composites cannot mitigate the potentially damaging electromagnetic effects from a lightning strike. The most frequently selected solution to this problem is to introduce metals back into the aircraft. The metal mesh and expanded foil added to the composite structure layup for this purpose are negating any lightweighting measures and don’t contribute to structural strength. Carbon fiber composites enhanced with our product serves as an electrical shield around the structure that protects against lightning strikes and at the same time contributes to structural strength.

OPPORTUNITY:
WORLD
LEADING
CARBON
FIBER
COMPOSITE

Any carbon fiber manufacturer with T800-level carbon fiber could with the help of our product surpass the current world leader in carbon fiber composites, Toray of Japan, by more than 30% or nearly 1,000 MPa, which will be the biggest leap in the evolution of carbon fiber composites in over 30 years.

SUSTAINABILITY

Our product’s capability to enhance the electrical conductivity of copper aligns with multiple United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) for 2030, particularly in the areas of industry, innovation, and infrastructure; clean energy; and responsible consumption and production.

  1. Affordable and Clean Energy (SDG 7):
    • Improved electrical conductivity can enhance the efficiency of electrical systems, reducing energy loss during transmission and distribution.
    • Higher conductivity allows for more efficient energy generation, contributing to the goal of affordable and clean energy.
  2. Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure (SDG 9):
    • Enhanced electrical conductivity can lead to the development of more efficient and innovative electrical infrastructure and technologies.
    • Improved conductivity can contribute to the advancement of electric vehicles, renewable energy systems, and smart grids, supporting sustainable industrialization and infrastructure development.
  3. Responsible Consumption and Production (SDG 12):
    • By increasing the efficiency of electrical systems, the product can contribute to reduced resource consumption and waste associated with energy production and transmission.
    • The enhanced conductivity may lead to longer-lasting and more reliable electrical components, promoting sustainable consumption patterns.
  4. Climate Action (SDG 13):
    • Increased electrical conductivity can contribute to the development and adoption of cleaner energy technologies, thereby mitigating the impact of climate change.
    • Efficient energy transmission and reduced energy loss can result in lower greenhouse gas emissions associated with energy production and consumption.
  5. Partnerships for the Goals (SDG 17):
    • Collaborations between the manufacturers of the product, the copper industry, and other stakeholders can foster partnerships aimed at achieving sustainable development goals.
    • Sharing knowledge and technologies related to enhanced electrical conductivity can contribute to a collective effort to address global challenges.

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