Press Release

PIEZOELECTRIC SUPERCAPACITORS FOR SELF POWERED MEDICAL IMPLANTS -INDUSTRY ENGAGEMENT GRANT AWARDED TO QUT & GMG AS AN INDUSTRY PARTNER

Queensland University of Technology (QUT) – Centre for Biomedical Technologies (CBT) and GMG was successful in the application for an Industry Engagement Grant.

Graphene Manufacturing Group Ltd (GMG) has a long-term collaboration with A/Prof. Deepak Dubal and QUT and this project is another step towards their strong commitment to real-world implications.

The Industry Engagement Grant entitled Piezoelectric Supercapacitors for Self Powered Medical Implants was awarded to Prof Cameron Brown, A/Prof Deepak Dubal (MCR), Dr. Hong Duc Pham (ECR), Dr. Ashok Kumar Nanjundan.

The project aims to develop self-charging medical implants by engineering a novel power unit called “Piezo-Supercapacitor”, which can harvest human body motions into electricity and store them in a single unit. The concept, we introduce here is based on a fundamental mechanism that directly hybridizes the two processes into one, in which the mechanical energy is directly converted and simultaneously stored as electrochemical energy without going through the intermediate step of first converting into electricity.

To achieve this objective, innovative piezo-supercapacitors will be developed by using piezoelectric biological proteins (collagen) as separator and GMG graphene-based electrode materials in collaboration with industry partner Graphene Manufacturing Group Ltd. The piezoelectric potential from the collagen film created by mechanical straining acts as a charge pump to drive ions to migrate towards respective electrodes accompanying charging reactions at electrodes. This new technology can be applied to manufacture self-powered medical implants, which will eliminate risks to patient’s life and save large costs related to battery- replacement, and surgery.

By building safe, reliable, and high-performance power sources for medicine, this technology will enable a new generation of active implants that can monitor health, detect disease, and administer treatment.

About GMG
GMG is an Australian based clean-tech disruptive company listed on the TSXV (TSXV:GMG) that produces graphene and hydrogen by cracking methane (natural gas) instead of mining graphite. By using the company’s proprietary process, GMG can produce high quality, low cost, scalable, ‘tuneable’ and no/low contaminant graphene – enabling demonstrated cost and environmental improvements in a number of world-scale planet-friendly/clean-tech applications. Using this low input cost source of graphene, the Company is developing value-added products that target the massive energy efficiency and energy storage markets.

The Company is pursuing additional opportunities for GMG Graphene, including developing next-generation batteries, collaborating with world-leading universities in Australia, and investigating the opportunity to enhance the performance of lube oil, biodiesel and diesel fuels.

For further information, please contact:

  • Craig Nicol, Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director of the Company at [email protected], +61 415 445 223
  • Leo Karabelas at Focus Communications, [email protected], +1 647 689 6041

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements  

This press release contains “forward-looking information” and “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of applicable securities legislation. The forward-looking statements herein are made as of the date of this press release only, and the Company does not assume any obligation to update or revise them to reflect new information, estimates or opinions, future events or results or otherwise, except as required by applicable law. Often, but not always, forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of words such as “plans”, “expects”, “is expected”, “budgets”, “scheduled”, “estimates”, “forecasts”, “predicts”, “projects”, “intends”, “targets”, “aims”, “anticipates” or “believes” or variations (including negative variations) of such words and phrases or may be identified by statements to the effect that certain actions “may”, “could”, “should”, “would”, “might” or “will” be taken, occur or be achieved. Forward-looking information in this press release includes, but is not limited to, statements relating to the manufacturing of prototypes by GMG and UQ, anticipated timelines for commercial prototypes and customer testing, the development and viability of GMG’s production facilities, the location of GMG’s production facilities, and the results arising from and application of GMG’s graphene aluminium-ion batteries and other GMG graphene enhanced batteries and supercapacitors. Forward-looking statements and information are subject to various known and unknown risks and uncertainties, including, but not limited to, the risk factors set out under the heading “Risk Factors” in the Company’s final long form non-offering prospectus dated March 31, 2021 available for review on the Company’s profile at www.sedar.commany of which are beyond the ability of the Company to control or predict. Such risk factors may cause the Company’s actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from those expressed or implied thereby, and are developed based on assumptions about such risks, uncertainties and other factors set out herein, including, assumptions regarding the Company’s ability to research, develop and test its products within anticipated timelines, and that results of testing and development data will be consistent with anticipated results and estimates. Such forward-looking information represents management’s best judgment based on information currently available. No forward-looking statement can be guaranteed and actual future results may vary materially. Accordingly, readers are advised not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements or information.