Thomas Swan consolidates its leading position in Graphene production with patents granted in continuous centrifugation
Thomas Swan & Co. Ltd., one of the UK’s leading independent chemical manufacturers, announced that it has been granted patents GB1521001.6 and GB1619983.8 for the process of continuous centrifugation in the separation of sub-micron (nanoscale) materials.
The patents are part of a portfolio of rights for Thomas Swan in the evolving graphene (and other 2D materials) processing arena. As the challenge to deliver more high-performance composite materials increases, adopting graphene as an additive often demands a selection of critically fine laminar particle grades demonstrating higher features and enhanced levels of performance.
The use of centrifuges for separating fine material is well understood and utilised generally in the chemical field. This patented Thomas Swan technology builds upon that by using a continuous centrifuge for separating sub-micron laminar solid particles, stabilised by means of a surfactant, and separating atomically thin nano-platelets having a crystalline structure and being capable of doing so at industrial scale.
Michael Edwards, Commercial Director – Advanced Materials at Thomas Swan said, “the continual development of process capabilities for Thomas Swan graphene, specifically graphene nanoplatelets [GNP], puts us in the ideal position to support customers in scaling-up from a growing number of diverse applications, into the commercial adoption of bulk graphene. With our modular, scalable production capability and our ISO-standard manufacturing operations we are ready to support the market demands”.
About Thomas Swan
- Thomas Swan & Co. Ltd. was founded in the UK in 1926 and remains an independent family owned
and run performance and speciality chemical manufacturing company. - The company turns over approximately £37m per annum, employs 179 people and exports approximately
70% of its products to over 80 countries from its manufacturing headquarters in the North East of England.
It has offices in the USA and China. - The business is divided into 3 divisions which include: Performance Chemicals, Custom Manufacture and Advanced Materials.
For further information please contact Jo Hind-Morton on +44 (0)1207 505 131.
