Cranfield University, Green Space Industries (GSI), and Levidian Nanosystems have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to share expertise and collaborate towards producing the world’s first graphene-infused natural rubber aerospace balloon.
The Malaysian Rubber Council (MRC) is coordinating the cooperation with GSI, commercialising the aerospace balloon concept with Cranfield University as the research and development partner, and climate technology company Levidian as the supplier of sustainable "green" graphene for the project.
Cranfield University has developed a unique technology for 3D printing of rubber products, including balloons, which will be used in this project. The graphene-infused aerospace balloon is a completely new structure aimed to revolutionise the way we monitor weather, deploy communication networks and design future satellites, paving the way to sustainable and cost-effective solutions.
Krzysztof Koziol, Professor of Composites Engineering and Head of Composites and Advanced Materials Centre, has been involved with developing graphene enhanced rubber materials for the past four years and is leading this research.
Professor Koziol says, "Infusing graphene into natural rubber creates an extremely strong and durable material, which is particularly attractive for the next generation of balloons for atmospheric and space applications. Due to the interesting material properties, the new balloon concept can be re-used in a range of aerospace projects, and it can be filled with hydrogen, which is more sustainable as a fuel.
"Our advanced rubber composite takes aerospace balloon technology to a completely new level."
Levidian, based in Cambridge, has developed a technology that cracks methane into hydrogen and carbon, locking the carbon into high-quality sustainable graphene. John Hartley, Chief Executive Officer, said: "Graphene has been a solution looking for a problem for years. We are interested in finding graphene applications which help decarbonisation, and that's why we are excited about signing this Memorandum of Understanding – it will help us discover and develop more applications for graphene to support sustainability.
"The space balloon is an excellent example of what graphene can do – it allows things to be incredibly strong even though they are incredibly thin, and they therefore last longer and are more sustainable."
Mr. Nor Hizwan Ahmad, CEO of the Malaysian Rubber Council, said: "We have witnessed a tripartite MOU signing ceremony that has marked a new beginning for the rubber industry in the world. And MRC is proud to be a party to this effort."
Nor Hizwan also said that the parties involved will work together to promote as well as foster better uptake of graphene by industry in Malaysia, which is believed to be able to add value to raw materials such as natural rubber to produce high-value end products.
MRC, led by Hizwan, is currently taking a significant step forward in pushing Malaysian rubber industry development from rubber plantation to aerospace industry.
Cranfield University’s research and teaching in manufacturing and materials support ambitions to create a sustainable manufacturing sector and address global climate challenges. The specialist courses from the University help to build capacity and skills in countries around the world, developing workforces that can meet net zero objectives.
Cranfield’s Composites and Advanced Materials Centre has state-of-the-art facilities for graphene integration and testing of high-performance composites, from cryogenic to high temperature, radiation and full mechanical evaluation.
