Research collaboration on safe handling of graphene
Graphene is often described as a material of the future – strong, light and with unique properties that make it interesting for everything from electronics to energy storage. But with increased use, we also need more knowledge about how to handle the material safely.
At the University of Gothenburg, at the Department of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, research is currently underway on how exposure to graphene affects people who work with the material. One of the places included in the study is graphene research at Mid Sweden University in Sundsvall.
"If we investigate this in a lab environment, we can better understand what measures you need to have in place when handling graphene on a larger scale," says Håkan Tinnerberg, associate professor and occupational hygienist at the University of Gothenburg.
Measurements in a real research environment
In the study, test subjects are allowed to wear equipment that measures how many carbon particles they inhale, and at which stages of the handling the exposure increases. In this way, the researchers can identify work steps that involve higher risk and see if it is possible to reduce exposure through changes in the work process.
Nicklas Blomquist, senior lecturer and researcher at Mid Sweden University, participates in the project, and after a work shift, he conducts lung function tests, and the researchers analyze whether particles can be detected in the exhaled air.
"It's unique to be able to do these tests in such an authentic environment. Nicklas has also contributed a lot through his deep knowledge of graphene," says Håkan Tinnerberg.
"An important piece of the puzzle for the future"
Nicklas Blomquist has been researching graphene and its use in battery technology for several years.
"We believe that graphene will become increasingly important in the materials and energy solutions of the future. Therefore, it is a great benefit that we already understand how to work with it in a way that is safe for everyone who will handle it," he says.
He also highlights that the collaboration provides new perspectives on his own research.
"For those of us who work with graphene, this collaboration means that we also get to take part in expert knowledge about the work environment. We discover what we can do to develop our routines and at the same time contribute to knowledge that is also important for the industry.
Five years of collective research
The study is part of a long-term research effort that has been ongoing for five years, with the aim of building a knowledge base that can guide both academia and industry as the graphene material takes on a greater role in society.