Picture source: Graphene flagship company
In the market appeared in the new product, has been applied Graphene materials Ability to add some functionality to ordinary objects: Footwear with better heat dissipation Developed in collaboration with FADEL, a leading Tuscan shoe company in Italy, the flagship Graphene company in Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Italy, and FADEL's patented and newly developed technology make footwear more attractive Temperature regulation and durability.
In this new shoe manufacturing process, when adding several layers of graphene sheets to Polyurethane (FADEL sole material), Laboratory tests show that the amount of heat dissipated in the material is increasing, the water resistance becomes stronger, and the antimicrobial properties are continuously improved.With the air-permeable device developed for this special type of shoe with a better user experience These effects. The prototype of this shoe participated in the international footwear exhibition in Milan.
Graphene is brought about by its unique two-dimensional model structure Excellent electrical conductivity , Mechanical properties and thermal performance to open up a wide range of applications, has attracted more and more attention.This fascinating feature makes graphene become a promising material for a variety of practical applications.By graphene Functionalized to easily prepare different graphene nanocomposites, which can preserve the properties of graphene to the largest extent and introduce other meaningful properties through functionalization.Further further research will result in a series of properties More excellent new graphene functional material, and from science and technology to further realize the practical application of such materials to lay the foundation.
One of the main features of graphene is it Superior thermal performance , We began to consider the incorporation of graphene (a method that can produce a large amount of graphene at a lower price) produced by liquid-phase stripping into polyurethane - for shoe soles of materials such as polyurethane, thus creating A composite that dissipates 50% more heat than pure polyurethane, said Vittorio Pellegrini, director of IIT's Graphene laboratory and chairman of the Graphene flagship executive committee. "We use a small amount Of the graphene (about 1%) improves the thermal performance of the footwear, which is very important in terms of the production costs and not much more products than before.
Once IIT graphene lab researchers have optimized the way graphene is added to polystyrene, graphene production was done by Beitimensl srl, a start-up from IIT and a member of the Graphene Flagship Association, whose core operation is to add graphene As well as the development of new composite materials for other related materials in manufacturing applications.
Graphene flagship company is a powerful accelerator of knowledge, skills and technology transfer.Pelegrini said that without the flagship company of graphene shoes, this shoe will take years to develop.We share from our research Achievements and benefit from the ability of flagship companies to get inspiration from other scientists.
Dr. Kari Hjelt, Head of Innovation at Graphene's Flagship Company, said that we will continue to witness the potential for market volatility and innovation in graphene technology. "Graphene, at the same time, enhances the special properties of multiple product attributes and, as is currently the case, Can create a commercial competitive advantage for many products.
Professor Andrea C. Ferrari, Scientific and Technical Staffing and Management Team Chairman of Graphene Flagship, added that this is yet another example of a steady stream of graphene and related materials from the laboratory to the factory floor. As more and more companies become co-members of partners or flagship companies, flagship companies not only promote the science and technology of graphene and related materials, but also promote the reform and innovation.