Versarien plc (AIM: VRS), the AIM quoted advanced engineering materials group is pleased to announce it has entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (“MOU”) with WMG (“Warwick Manufacturing Group”) to collaborate on the production of power storage devices such as batteries and supercapacitors using Versarien’s graphene nano platelets.
Working with the SME team and battery specialists, Versarien will have access to WMG’s expertise and world leading facilities in the Energy Innovation Centre.
WMG was founded by Professor Lord Kumar Bhattacharyya in 1980 to help reinvigorate UK manufacturing. From its inception WMG’s mission has been to improve the competitiveness of organisations through the application of value adding innovation, new technologies and skills deployment, bringing academic rigour to industrial and organisational practice. WMG bridges the gap between academia and industry, enabling the development of innovative products.
In the field of batteries, conventional battery electrode materials can be significantly improved when enhanced with graphene. The use of graphene can allow the production of batteries that are lighter, more durable and suitable for high capacity energy storage, as well as shortening charging times. In addition, the combined use of graphene enhanced batteries and graphene enhanced supercapacitors, which charge and discharge much faster than a battery, could yield substantial benefits in applications such as electric vehicles.
Neill Ricketts, CEO of Versairen plc commented:
“We are delighted to be working on this project with WMG and we look forward to developing a technologically advanced lithium battery that will have numerous applications in real life. The expertise in this field cultivated at WMG, University of Warwick, is second to none and the opportunity to be working alongside them is very exciting for Versarien as we look to maintain our position as one of the leading international experts in graphene production and its applications. We anticipate that the MOU will enable us to collaborate on a number of projects with WMG.”