The National Graphene Innovation Center (NGIC) in Ningbo: A Comprehensive Overview
The National Graphene Innovation Center (NGIC), approved for establishment by the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology in November 2022, represents a significant leap in the graphene sector. It is an upgraded formation from the Zhejiang Graphene Manufacturing Innovation Center, evolving into a national hub for graphene manufacturing innovation. Anchored in Ningbo, specifically in Zhenhai District, the center operates under the aegis of Ningbo Graphene Innovation Center Co., Ltd., spearheaded by the Ningbo Institute of Materials Technology and Engineering, Chinese Academy of Sciences, and allied with key enterprises and stakeholders across the graphene industry chain.
Organizational Structure and Alliances
The NGIC utilizes a “company + alliance” operational model, relying heavily on the China Graphene Industry Technology Innovation Strategic Alliance. This alliance boasts over 150 member units, encompassing leading domestic and international entities engaged in graphene research and commercialization. It spans the entire graphene industry chain, integrating production, application, and end-user sectors.
Core Facilities
The NGIC’s facilities in Ningbo include several specialized parks:
- Jiulong Lake Jingle Park
- Luotuo Fubang Park
- Cidong Moxi Park
- Luotuo Nan Yi Park
- A dedicated graphene-themed exhibition hall
Focus Areas and Research Domains
The NGIC targets several key industries for graphene application and research:
New Energy and Electric Vehicles:
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- Development of graphene-enhanced power batteries, aiming to overcome energy density and power density limitations in current power battery technologies, thus advancing their use in electric vehicles and aircraft.
Marine Engineering:
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- Creation of graphene-modified heavy-duty anti-corrosion coatings. These coatings are designed to extend the lifespan and enhance the durability of marine engineering equipment, providing resistance to corrosion, wear, impact, and fouling in challenging marine environments.
Traditional Industries:
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- Innovation in graphene-modified rubber, plastics, and fibers. This involves creating high-value functional organic polymer materials with superior electrical conductivity, thermal management, and mechanical properties, significantly boosting China’s competitive edge in high-end rubber and plastic materials.
Electronics and Information Technology:
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- Development of high-efficiency thermal interface materials for next-generation electronic and photonic devices, addressing the need for advanced thermal management solutions.
Aerospace:
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- Research on graphene fibers with enhanced electrical and thermal conductivity for use in high-performance composite materials, addressing the aerospace sector’s need for lightweight, strong, and multifunctional materials.
High-End Equipment:
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- Development of graphene-copper composite materials with ultra-high electrical conductivity, aimed at revolutionizing conductive copper materials and enhancing the efficiency of electric motors, contributing to the advancement of high-efficiency motor technologies.
Technological Advancements and Applications
The NGIC focuses on both the scalable production of graphene materials and the industrial application of graphene technologies:
Graphene Material Production:
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- Techniques for the large-scale preparation of graphene microchips, graphene oxide, graphene films, and single crystals.
Industrial Application Technologies:
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- Innovations in the dispersion, compounding, modification, and assembly of graphene materials. The center also explores the continuous rolling of graphene-copper composite strips and the core preparation technologies for graphene-based electronic components.
Quality Standards and Certification:
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- The NGIC is instrumental in developing quality testing, standards, and certification technologies for graphene materials, ensuring the reliability and standardization of graphene products in the market.
Strategic Importance
The establishment of the NGIC in Ningbo is a strategic move to bolster China’s position in the global graphene industry. By addressing key technological challenges and promoting industrial innovation, the center aims to drive the adoption of graphene in various high-tech fields, contributing to national goals such as the “dual carbon” strategy and the development of a strong maritime nation.