Graphene Council seeks volunteers for graphene sector initiatives

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The Graphene Council (New Bern, N.C., U.S.) has launched three new initiatives in the graphene sector and is seeking volunteers to participate in their development. As graphene becomes increasingly used in major applications, especially within the composites space, end users and customers are requiring knowledge of graphene’s carbon footprint as a material used in their products. 

The Graphene Council is seeking input from all interested stakeholders including graphene producers, customers and users of graphene, regulators and experts on LCA/GWP models. Note: Interested parties will need to apply as a volunteer separately for each task force group.

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The task force groups are as follows. Click each link below to become a volunteer:

Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) & Sustainability

The drive globally for sustainable solutions means that every industry and material must be able to measure its carbon footprint. Increasingly materials must have a LCA or a global warming potential (GWP) value if the material is even considered for use.

The scope of the LCA task force will include (a) to define the start and endpoints for the Council’s measurements as well as input models for calculation and (b) to agree which international standards or models the Council will apply to calculate the graphene carbon footprint. 

ASTM Graphene Material Specification

Volunteers will participate in the development of an ASTM Material Specification for different types and forms of graphene. The intent is to define specific groups of similar forms of graphene into distinct categories as part of a broader ASTM Material Specification to make it easier for users to specify and use graphene in their products. 

The Graphene Council is a Member of the ASTM Engineered Carbons committee and the intent is to submit a completed definition of graphene materials in a form and structure recognized by ASTM for formal adoption.  The Graphene Council has already compiled a database of approximately 700 individual forms and types of graphene based on commercially available technical data sheets that have been cataloged using the Graphene Classification Framework. 

The scope of the ASTM Material Specifications Task Force is to organize and define real-world types and forms of graphene into an ASTM-approved format. 

HSE and Toxicity Testing

Participants will evaluate HSE and toxicity testing data for different types and forms of graphene materials. Understanding an accurate toxicity and safe use profile for graphene is both a priority for regulators and a critical issue for the viability of a robust graphene industry.  

The scope of the HSE and Graphene Toxicity Testing will include (a) to inventory and evaluate any relevant, existing toxicological studies for specific types and forms of graphene, (b) to agree and define which internationally recognized and standardized testing protocols should be applied to graphene and (c) identify gaps in graphene toxicological testing and studies that are necessary to satisfy regulatory requirements. 

The Council’s intent is to recommend to key national governments the need to fund robust toxicological testing (including a recommendation of the specific testing standards to be applied) to determine safe use practices for graphene that enable commercial use while protecting human and environmental health.

All work is conducted remotely using the Delphi method for consensus development to limit the time commitment of volunteers while providing everyone with a chance to contribute. Please note that this is a purely volunteer activity; there is no compensation.