Grant of US Graphene Patent

RNS Number : 2050Y

Versarien PLC

07 September 2015

 

7 September2015

Versarien plc
("Versarien" or the "Company")

Grant of US Graphene Patent

Versarien plc (AIM: VRS), the advanced engineering materials group is pleased to announce it has been granted US patent protection for its volume graphene platelet production process, details of which were announced on 11 June 2015.

Versarien's subsidiary 2-DTech already holds European patent protection for its production process and, together with its partner the University of Ulster, has now successfully gained protection in the United States under application No. 14/002399 (2014/0044968). 

Graphene, a nanocarbon with exceptional physical and electronic properties, has the potential to be utilised in a myriad of applications and devices. The Board believes that its volume graphene platelet production process offers numerous advantages over the conventional graphene manufacturing solutions currently on the market and will enable the accelerated commercialisation of products containing graphene.

The 2-DTech process sees the preparation of graphene material from graphite using a mechanical exfoliation technique and an Ionic liquid and results in the production of graphene nano platelets of both high quality and purity (typically 99% pure carbon) graphene.  Graphene performance is dependent not only on the purity, but the number of atomic layers, with a single layer providing optimal performance, allowing the full potential of graphene to be unlocked.  Importantly, the 2-DTech production process provides single layer graphene in quantities sufficient to meet the commercial requirements of a range of industrial applications.

North America is expected to become a key graphene market and the granting of patent protection in the US is therefore an important step for the Company.  2-DTech are already working with a number of clients, from a diverse range of industries including military, medical and consumer products, each of which require access to high quality, cost effective graphene and who are looking to expand their relationships on a global basis.

Neill Ricketts, CEO of Versarien, said "We are delighted to have secured a patent in the largest of the global markets which will allow us to accelerate the development of commercial applications for graphene and graphene products.  Following the granting of the patent we intend to increase our marketing activities in the US and progress discussions with potential clients there. "

Sean Nelson, Head of Technology Transfer at the University of Ulster, said "We are extremely pleased that the IP first developed at the University Of Ulster has now been further strengthened by the granting of the US patent". 

James Baker, Graphene Business Director of the University of Manchester, said "As partners of the National Graphene Institute, we are delighted to be supporting the advances of 2-DTech and look forward to seeing the collaborative projects in composites and inks technologies reach the global market place."

For further information:

Versarien Plc Neill Ricketts, Chief Executive Officer Chris Leigh, Chief Financial Officer	Tel: [phone] www.versarien.com
Panmure Gordon (Nominated Adviser and Broker) Russell Cook / James Greenwood	Tel: [phone]
IFC Advisory (Financial PR and IR) Tim Metcalfe / Graham Herring / Heather Armstrong	Tel [phone]

Notes to editors

About Versarien (http://www.versarien.com/)

Versarien™ plc (AIM:VRS) is an advanced engineering materials group. Leveraging proprietary technology, the group creates innovative engineering solutions for its clients in a diverse range of industries.  Versarien has three subsidiaries:

Versarien Technologies Ltd. which owns the exclusive rights to a patent-protected additive process for creating advanced micro-porous metals targeting the thermal management industry and manufactures extruded aluminium heat sinks for the electronics and computing industries. www.versarien-technologies.co.uk 

Total Carbide Ltd, a leading manufacturer in sintered tungsten carbide for applications in arduous environments such as the oil and gas industry.  www.totalcarbide.com 

2-DTech Ltd., which specialises in the supply, characterisation and early stage development of graphene products.   www.2-dtech.com

 

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