Versarien Share Discussion Threads

[alchemy] 13/1/2019 12:21

Tyres. Not off topic but one particular focus. There will be so many such over the months ahead! Headphones, underground arches, parts for all machinery in the widest sense, water quality, medical enhancements, space, computing, the list goes on. I have driven many cars since 1962, and by far the biggest change I noticed was not as I changed cars, but as I changed tyres. Cross ply to radials. Phenomenal change. Even on a 848 cc red mini , with a black roof. Braking yes, and cornering . Safety and enjoyment.I wonder if graphene will be a step change in qualities other than durability? Has anyone got a handle on the matter? Certainly unsprung weight will be better. Especially if we "do wheels" too.

[club sandwich] 13/1/2019 11:31

elliss "explains the level of engagement VRS are seeing across a multitudes of sectors, including some very large firms, and even governments eg chinese state" - no doubting the level of interest, but I'm not alone in wondering why *none* of that has translated into *any* significant contracts/orders/revenues to date. I'll feel much happier - as I'm sure will we all - when we have the first firm contract in place specifying product and amounts and, as importantly, visibility of how they're going to service that contract (*still* no news on this 2-year exclusivity on the machines, I note)...

[ellissj] 13/1/2019 11:06

Re geic, i was pleased by the npl becoming partners with it in early december. I must say, why the delay? But their presence gives confidence i feel to the process. Meantime i await iso standards publication. Confident in vrs 2D materials. And relaxed here, taking heart from neills twitter cue from the geic open day, he said 'game on!' Cheering neill and co on to success here ! Aimo. Dyor. Best ellis


"NPL announced as Foundation Partner for new Graphene Engineering Innovation Centre"

"The National Physical Laboratory (NPL) has become a Foundation Partner to The University of Manchester's Graphene Engineering Innovation Centre (GEIC), as part of the far-reaching agenda to accelerate the commercial prospects of graphene and related two-dimensional materials.

The GEIC, which is set to officially launch next week, is the University's second state-of-the-art graphene facility complementing the activity of the National Graphene Institute(NGI). Together, the two centres cement Manchester's position as the home of graphene 15 years after the material was first isolated at the University.

The GEIC has already registered three Tier One members and several Affiliate Partners. Two Foundation Partners have also been announced – the National Physical Laboratory (NPL) and the University of Central Lancashire's (UCLan) Engineering Innovation Centre (EIC).

Through the GEIC, Foundation Partners will be a key University partner supporting the creation of a graphene community and ecosystem within the GEIC to encourage early stage development and collaborations.

The GEIC will focus on industry-led application development in partnership with academics. It will fill a critical gap in the graphene and 2D materials ecosystem by providing facilities which focus on pilot production and characterisation; together with application development in composites, energy, solution formulations and coatings, electronics and membranes.

One of the barriers to market for any new material before standards are agreed is confidence in the materials quality and reproducibility when developing new applications and processes.

NPL's expertise in test and verification of materials leads to new standards. To enable the commercialisation of graphene, NPL's world-leading measurement scientists have collaborated with the NGI's research and development excellence to develop a good practice guide and definitive terminology for graphene.

Now, as a Foundation Partner, NPL will be able to work directly within the graphene community at the GEIC to understand the emerging measurement needs for the applications of commercially supplied graphene.

JT Janssen, Research Director at the National Physical Laboratory (NPL), said: "We are delighted to become a Foundation Partner for The University of Manchester's Graphene Engineering Innovation Centre (GEIC). The Centre is a fantastic step forward, putting the UK's emerging graphene economy at the forefront, accelerating commercialisation of next generation technologies in the same country the material was first isolated.

"As the National Measurement Institute for the UK, NPL is in a prime position to provide the materials verification and standardisation expertise as part of the GEIC's remit. Our experts will be on-site in Manchester, working collaboratively alongside other industry experts to provide these services.

"Through this partnership, we hope to continue the great work already underway in this area, such as the NPL-led graphene ISO standard , a world-first on graphene terminology. In collaboration with the University's National Graphene Institute, we also produced the NPL Good Practice Guide on the Characterisation of the Structure of Graphene, as well as the Graphene Characterisation Service, launched earlier this year."

James Baker, CEO, Graphene@Manchester said:

"For the GEIC and graphene to be successful, we need to ensure a wider holistic approach than the manufacturing ecosystem as a whole, as well as doing the work in the lab and around scale-up and prototyping we also need to generate confidence in new materials which has historically taken a long time.

"What we have seen with graphene has been very quick with applications already in the market and we are at a tipping point now where this will increase. We also need to ensure that false promises aren't being made and that comes with the implementation of standards and demonstrating real-world value through prototypes.

"As a Foundation Partner, NPL will provide the standardisation expertise required to generate confidence in new graphene materials. NPL experts will work alongside other industry professionals, at the GEIC, to test and verify the measurement needs required for the application of commercially supplied graphene to market."

[ellissj] 13/1/2019 10:53

For my money, the disruption 2D materials offers in term of lighter, stronger, more thermally efficent (whether as a +nanene conductor, or as a hexotene insulator) electrically, and magnetically, versus current explains the level of engagement VRS are seeing across a multitudes of sectors, including some very large firms, and even governments eg chinese state. But we also see savings advised (per poddys) in terms of manufacturing processes eg tyres. And the recent aircraft part order. And per the speculation yesterday, installation costs of a possible aecom arch. thus a theme is developing it seems; a better product, with savings in manufacturing and installation (where appropriate). Of course, this is a new science, and as neill says, +nanene improves everything it goes into, but other savings as illustrated, are not always obvious i imagine until testing/product development has taken place. Whether any savings occured from MD headphones production versus conventional, is hard to fathom from the outside - maybe not in this instance. Either way, looking forward to seeing how the story unfolds, and encouraged to believe the factors highlighted can lead to early adoption (than normal for disruptive tech) in many industries. Aimo. Dyor. Best ellis

[club sandwich] 13/1/2019 09:55

matheus7777 - but remember, MD have specifically requested that people only review the product on Amazon if they have *bought* the buds on Amazon...

[alchemy] 13/1/2019 09:18

I'll post a review by end of week.

[matheus7777] 13/1/2019 09:16

Oh ok didn't know, don't generally review my purchases there. Thanks

[matheus7777] 13/1/2019 09:11

However there isn't a single review yet on Amazon. Would be beneficial for exposure if owners of the earphones could review there too. A search for Nanene will lead directly to the product and in order to review users will need to sign in with their existing Amazon login

[superg1] 12/1/2019 19:25

On that point the snow machine guy (VRS linked) covered sets like the game of thrones. Blundering on site crews could pit his kit offline through damage. The lost day when kit was down cost about $1 mill as I recall.

[ellissj] 12/1/2019 19:05

Indeed, we know per poddys neill & co didn't take the first offer on the table in china. Best ellis

[diversification] 12/1/2019 19:03

From my experience, loss or earnings/revenue can far outweigh production and installation costs.

Experience unrelated to transportation, but relevant.

[luckyorange] 12/1/2019 19:01

Exactly superg, a reduction of about 7 days wages for 1 person plus the cost of the scissor lift and between 2 and 5% loading in the polygrene, therefore it doesn't matter if the cost of the structure is more due to the large saving on labour and lift costs, I also have no idea if there is a cost or charge involved for line closure to AECOM.

Anyway, the value to VRS / arch will only be known to VRS and they are pretty good with the sums to maximise value and make it viable for the company that they are dealing with.

[sandbag] 12/1/2019 18:56

As demand for more and more later and sometimes 24 hour tube trains grows the working window is less and less. Another selling point for the faster installation of lightweight products.

[ellissj] 12/1/2019 18:36

I know to hire a scissor lift isn't cheap by itself superg. How much pcjoe for daily hire with an owner/operator too ? £500 in london ? Nice to hear from you btw. Best ellis

[ellissj] 12/1/2019 18:34

Indian composites market info. Us$2b by 2021. Best ellis

"...The Indian composites market is expected to touch USD 2 billion by 2021 with major industry growth drivers being government projects like smart cities development, sanitation and water infrastructure development projects, and renewable energy projects. Industry growth is predicted at a CAGR of 14 per cent. With this nature of demand, the
World of Composites will be a top choice for product sourcing for industries like automobile and ancillary manufacturers, wind energy, aerospace and defence, construction, marine, electrical and electronics, etc. which constitute major end user applications of composites covering all the key segments..."

[superg1] 12/1/2019 18:13

pc

I’m not sure if you have missed the point re the Aecom arch.

The current method and product takes 4 shifts, more than 2 staff and a scissor lift. It requires line shutdowns for a day at least. The Aecom idea requires 2 staff no scissor lift and doesn’t disrupt the network.

In other words, for that issue, a huge breakthrough as the installation costs and related network disruption costs equate to a massive saving. The product itself may also be cheaper, we don’t know. In all saving the network operator millions.

I work off £2-£5 per gram for such large projects.

There is no one size fits all on price. No doubt like any other industry economy of scale kicks in.

[pcjoe] 12/1/2019 17:49

Quite right Sandbag - Hopefully VRS will put a few more of us in that position..

[sandbag] 12/1/2019 17:09

pcjoe,

"Compound -you design them- I'll stick em up - anyone got the aecom tel nr?"

As I was the Quality Control Engineer of the fit out on the Heathrow Express Tunnels and Stations I'd be happy to come out of retirement and inspect the manufacture and installation. (Nah, not really. I've got quite used to waking up at 07:00, checking for any relevant RNS's then doing my winter impression of Burlington Bertie).

[ellissj] 12/1/2019 16:14

Agt no 12 on expo list. Composites today. Best ellis

[ellissj] 12/1/2019 15:31

This expo next week looks appealing as well imo? Per rns " Arrow GreenTech will act as the Company's exclusive agent for the supply of graphene to the tyre and associated rubber sectors in India. This will be subject to the terms of a separate sales agency agreement;" Best ellis. (edit : couldn't see agt/vrs on exhibitors list or floor plan.)

Rubber expo info:

"India Rubber Expo (IRE) is currently Asia’s largest Rubber Exhibition and one of the most eagerly awaited events in the region. Other than being a valuable platform for growth, ideas exchange and collaboration, the event provides a unique opportunity for Indian companies to meet under one roof, showcase new technologies, share information, plan growth strategies and network with overseas companies. The highlight of the show is Exclusive Country pavilions from China, Korea, Japan and Europe. Having started with a modest 3000 sq. mts. space in 2001, the immense success achieved over the years has been truly humbling. With the forthcoming 10th edition scheduled for January 17-19, 2019, IRE is reaching an important milestone in this eventful journey of creating an event watching it grow into a hugely successful show.

The Organisers – All India Rubber Industries Association (AIRIA) – have travelled that extra mile conducting numerous Road Shows at different locations in India and through delegations at major international shows to make the 10th edition a memorable event that will be spread over 26,000 sq. mts. Not only is this going to be a much bigger event, the Organisers vouch that it is going to be grander and more spectacular than ever before...."