Alliance Rubber, UK university study graphene-reinforced rubber bands

Hot Springs, Arkansas - Alliance Rubber Co. has entered a partnership with the University of Sussex, UK, to research and develop rubber products infused with graphene. The research programme, under the guidance of Alan Dalton, professor of experimental physics, will develop new rubber products using graphene produced from Zenyatta graphite.

Graphene, a material 200 times stronger than steel, can enhance mechanical, thermal and electrical properties in many materials. When you add graphene to rubber, the rubber becomes lighter, stronger and conductive. Over the next year, Alliance will work with the university research program to determine the perfect graphene to rubber ratio.

“Alliance has a long history of innovation and it is vital for us to play an active role in leading edge rubber technology that uses a disruptive nanomaterial like graphene,” Jason Risner, director of business strategy at Alliance, said, “It is critical that we partner with scientific leaders like Alan Dalton at the University of Sussex.”

Products created through this research will continue Alliance’s position as a leader in rubber technology. The research program will focus on a rubber sensor product to be attached to produce. The band will change colours when the produce reaches a certain temperature or after a certain amount of time passes after harvest. Graphene products would also have the ability to act as a bar code for ease at grocery store checkout. Potential applications also include a band embedded with RFID tags that could be placed around credit/debit cards to prevent hackers from accessing personal information.

“We are thrilled to see the products that could potentially come out of our partnership. Graphene is an astonishing material that can revolutionise our lives,” Risner said. “Our company is proud to be on the cutting edge of something so new.”

Under the agreement with the University of Sussex, Alliance is sponsoring two graduate students who will work exclusively on the graphene project for the next three years. The partnership is a long-term investment for the US manufacturing company who is dedicated to staying innovative and keeping jobs in America.