Haydale, (AIM: HAYD), the global advanced materials group, is pleased to announce it will be collaborating with Cadent Gas Ltd (‘Cadent’) and the Energy Innovation Centre to develop graphene ink-based heaters for low-power hot water. The £135,000 three-stage project will run for an initial 15 months.

The graphene solution has the potential to offer a low-power way to heat water when there is an interruption to the gas supply. Currently, the provision of fan heaters and hot plates to vulnerable customers without a gas supply can be expensive and challenging, particularly for elderly or disabled customers.

Stage one of the project will see Haydale working directly with Cadent to identify up to four specific and detailed use case scenarios where the graphene ink-based heaters could be used across Cadent’s network. The aim of the 15-month project is to develop an operational pre-product prototype.

Development of graphene-based, high conductivity inks and coatings that can be applied to surfaces have the potential to provide even heating across large areas with a very thin profile. This technology is made possible by Haydale’s patented HDPlasÒ process, which promotes efficient dispersion of nanomaterials and allows the surface chemistry to be altered to improve the physical and electrical properties.

Graphene ink-based heaters offer a low-power solution requiring only a 24V direct power supply via a static or portable battery pack. It is easy to adapt and flexible enough to be printed onto multiple substrates such as metals, plastics, fabrics, and glass.

Keith Broadbent, Haydale CEO, said: “We look forward to working with Cadent and the Energy Innovation Centre on the use of functional graphene inks in the energy supply market. Our graphene-based heater technology offers the potential of a low-power solution for use in people’s homes to keep them safe and warm when there is an interruption to supply.” 

Mark Pritchard, Cadent Innovation Specialist, said: “We are looking forward to working alongside Haydale on this innovative project, whereby we aim to find a low-power solution to enable many customers in vulnerable situations to be able to heat water to an optimum temperature, to allow them to stay warm, wash, clean and live independently.”

Claudia Sequeira, Head of Development & Deployment for the EIC, said: “The EIC Partnership has explored the use of graphene in the energy sector in past projects and it is very exciting to collaborate with Cadent and Haydale in the development of this next step. The project will provide tangible learning applied to specific use cases where we can assess the impact of the technology in keeping customers in vulnerable situations safe and warm during an interruption to the gas supply”

For further information:

Notes to Editors

Haydale is a global technologies and materials group that facilitates the integration of graphene and other nanomaterials into the next generation of commercial technologies and industrial materials. With expertise in graphene, silicon carbide and other nanomaterials, Haydale can deliver improvements in electrical, thermal, and mechanical properties, as well as toughness through its state-of-the-art functionalisation. Haydale has granted patents for its technologies in Europe, USA, Australia, Japan, and China and operates from five sites in the UK, USA, and the Far East.

For more information please visit: www.haydale.com  

LinkedIn: Haydale-ltd

Twitter: @haydalegraphene  

About Cadent Gas Ltd

Cadent is the UK’s largest gas distribution network with a 200-year legacy.  We are in a unique position to build on strong foundations whilst encouraging the curiosity to think differently and the courage to embrace change.  Day to day we continue to operate, maintain, and innovate the UK’s largest gas network, transporting gas safely and protecting people in an emergency.  Our skilled engineers and specialists remain committed to the communities we serve, working day and night to ensure gas reaches 11 million homes from Cumbria to North London and the Welsh Borders to East Anglia, to keep your energy flowing. 

Cadent manages the national gas emergency service free phone line on behalf of the gas industry - 0800 111 999*

Cadent Gas Ltd is majority owned by a consortium of global investors.

*All calls are recorded and may be monitored.

About the Energy Innovation Centre

www.UKEIC.com

Established in 2008, the EIC is a not-for-profit organisation created by seven utility partners (Cadent, Northern Gas Networks, Northern Powergrid, SP Energy Networks, UK Power Networks, Scottish and Southern Electricity Networks and Wales & West Utilities). Working a unique global community of innovators from around the globe, the EIC exists to secure a safe, affordable net zero future that improves the quality of people’s lives.

The EIC operates a shared platform and open environment for utility partners and the community to innovate together. 

There are three main functions of the EIC:

- A platform to bring utilities and innovators together 

- A process to take projects from idea to business as usual 

- A team of technical and commercial experts to make the journey happen

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