LIG Applications
At this time, LIGC chooses to focus on four main application categories out of the many uses LIG has.
Filtration
Laser-induced graphene is composed of a porous structure that makes it ideal for filtration applications. The sub-micron pore sizes can be used to efficiently capture particles as well as microorganisms. In fact, the LIG pore sizes range from nanometers to microns, enabling the capture of a wide range of particle and microorganism sizes. As a result, LIG has proven effective in creating filtration material for the purification of air and water.
LIGC Applications has developed a LIG-based air filtration system to capture and destroy airborne particles, bacteria, and viruses. Electrical current is passed through the conductive graphene filtration membrane and electrocutes trapped bacteria and viruses, similar to a bug zapper. LIG can be used to enhance a variety of filtration membranes, and we can help you develop a solution for your filtration needs.
Energy Storage
Carbon-based nanomaterials are critical components in many energy storage applications. Traditionally, carbon nanomaterials are used as anode materials in lithium-ion batteries and electrodes in supercapacitors. Laser-induced graphene offers solutions for next-generation energy storage devices.
LIG is extremely conductive and possesses a large surface area, two important characteristics of energy storage materials. LIG can also be directly formed on the surface of polymeric sheets which enables cheap and flexible energy storage devices. LIG can be used as a material to enhance existing energy storage devices, and it enables the development of next-generation devices.
Sensor Platform
In today’s world, smart devices allow us to monitor our health and surroundings in almost any way imaginable. These smart devices rely on sensors to collect data to help us make informed decisions. It is therefore important to have robust, durable, and customizable sensor platforms that can be used for a variety of applications.
Laser-induced graphene offers the ideal material for the fabrications of sensor technologies. Specifically, LIG is conductive, which enables LIG-based sensors to be monitored electronically. LIG also has an extremely high surface area which makes it very sensitive to its surrounding environment, another ideal sensor platform behavior. Finally, LIG can be easily functionalized to detect specific substances as well as biological species. This has enabled LIG to be used as sensors detecting everything from gas molecules to COVID-19. We can help you develop high-throughput sensors for your specific needs.
Functional Composites and Surfaces
LIG can be embedded in composites to add functionality. LIG can be made into composites with many polymers, epoxies, and durable construction materials such as cement through patented embedding methods. The addition of LIG can make the materials electrically conductive while enhancing the mechanical properties of the materials. Additionally, LIG composites exhibit anti-microbial behavior that prevents the undesired buildup of microorganisms.
To date, LIG has been used to form composites with many materials. Specifically, LIG can be embedded in concrete to act as a heater for deicing. LIG has been used in water filters to prevent biofouling and clogging. LIG has also been embedded in epoxies to add mechanical strength and electrical conductivity. These are just a few examples of how LIG can be used in composites, and we can help improve your material by compositing with LIG.