HydroGraph ramps up efforts to scale pristine graphene offerings

A 3D rendering of HydroGraph’s reactor which is used in its explosion process. Source | HydroGraph

Founded in 2017, HydroGraph Clean Power Inc. (Vancouver, Canada), a commercial manufacturer of high-quality graphene and other nanomaterials, has made several announcements that highlight its ongoing efforts to commercialize graphene at scale, including purchase orders, patent filings and quality management certification.

In September 2024, HydroGraph filed two U.S. patent applications for graphene-coated hollow glass microsphere (HGMS) technology. Microspheres are hollow spheres — often made from ceramic or glass — that can act as lightweight fillers in composite materials, improving overall density and other properties. HydroGraph’s first patent covers HGMS coated with pristine graphene, and the second on HGMS coated with reactive graphene. Together, the patents represent the company’s effort to innovate within large-scale application areas. 

HydroGraph’s technology can produce two types of graphene-coated bubbles using uncoated hollow glass bubbles, which are an industrial commodity material. The finished graphene coated bubbles may be used in composites (such as lightweight electromagnetic interference shields) and as a lightweight filler in plastic parts, across industries such as automotive, marine and aerospace. Glass bubbles can also be used in the production of lightweight, high-strength concrete. 

The graphene coating converts the white insulating glass bubbles into black, electrically conducting, free-flowing powder. HGMS are mostly made of air and a thin glass spherical shell, so they are able to float on water. The size of the glass shell is typically less than 100 microns thick, making HydroGraph’s nanoscale graphene an ideal coating material for preserving HGMS’ low-density feature.

According to the company, graphene’s integration as a coating on bubbles can be thought of as a support material for graphene nanostructures, potentially useful as an absorption media of contaminants, thus showing filtration capability. Graphene-coated bubbles are a multifunctional version of the bare HGMS and HydroGraph’s first standalone industrial product.

HydroGraph has 11 patent applications filed in the U.S. and globally with two patents granted for its FGA-1 pristine graphene.

The company adds to its advancements with ISO 9001:2015 certification, reaffirming its establishment of robust processes to implement, maintain and continuously improve its graphene quality management practices, and positioning HydroGraph for significant operational scale-up.

“Our ISO 9001:2015 certification complements our existing Graphene Council verification,” says Kjirstin Breure, CEO and president of HydroGraph. “The combination of both ISO certification and Council verification confirms the authenticity and precision of our graphene. Quality has always been at the core of our company, and we remain steadfast in our commitment to data-driven decision-making and risk management as we drive HydroGraph’s future growth.”