Khalifa University Teams Up With LOLC For Graphene Product Development

Khalifa University of Science and Technology’s Research & Innovation Center for Graphene and 2D Materials (RIC2D) has partnered with LOLC Advanced Technologies Australia Pty Ltd, a subsidiary of the Sri Lanka-based LOLC Group. The collaboration aims to develop graphene-related products for precision applications. Homaid Abdulla Al Shimmari, Vice-Chairman of the Board of Trustees of Khalifa University, and Manju Gunawardana, CEO-Research and Innovation at LOLC Group, signed the agreement.

The partnership will establish a state-of-the-art production facility in Abu Dhabi. This facility will be the first of its kind in the Middle East, focusing on smart and cost-effective production methods. It aims to meet both regional and global demands for high-quality graphene materials.

Professor Ebrahim Al Hajri, President of Khalifa University, and Ishara Nanayakkara, Chairman of LOLC, attended the signing ceremony. The joint effort will produce graphene in commercial quantities and develop advanced materials manufacturing.

Al Shimmari stated, "INTRATOMICS’s™ partnership with LOLC Advanced Technologies is a testament to Khalifa University’s consistent commitment to driving innovation and advancing the development of cutting-edge materials. By leveraging our combined expertise, this joint initiative will enable us to develop advanced materials using graphene and related products, ultimately supporting the UAE’s transition towards a more sustainable and diversified economy."

Manju Gunawardana added, "Partnering with INTRATOMICS™ Abu Dhabi is a catalyst in LOLC Advanced Technologies Australia’s journey towards bringing graphene and 2D nanomaterials to the commercial forefront. Most graphene-related research outcomes are concentrated towards academic results, and this partnership aims to bring such research towards commercial-scale industrial application development."

Diversifying UAE's Economy

The collaboration focuses on producing advanced materials like Graphene Oxide, Reduced Graphene Oxide, Graphene, and Graphite derivatives for precision applications. This initiative will contribute significantly to sustainable materials development while aiding the diversification of the UAE’s economy.

LOLC Advanced Technologies is already involved in manufacturing and distributing high-quality graphene products for precision applications. The parent company, LOLC Group, operates in 22 countries with several entities engaged in digital technology and innovation incorporated in the UAE.

This phase marks a significant step as INTRATOMICS™ and LOLC Advanced Technologies Australia consolidate their roles following an earlier MoU signed in August 2023. The new facility will enhance regional capabilities in producing advanced materials.

The joint venture between RIC2D and LOLC Advanced Technologies aims to bridge the gap between academic research outcomes and commercial-scale industrial applications. This collaboration underscores both organisations' commitment to innovation and economic diversification.

The agreement signifies a strategic move towards establishing Abu Dhabi as a hub for advanced material production. By focusing on sustainable practices, it aligns with broader goals of economic diversification within the UAE.

With inputs from WAM