HydroGraph Earns U.S. Patent for Graphene-Based Actuator Design

HydroGraph Clean Power Inc., a commercial manufacturer of high-quality graphene and other nanomaterials, has been granted U.S. Patent No. 12,378,948 for a novel actuator technology that uses Fractal Graphene™ to generate controlled mechanical force. The patent covers electrothermal actuators that leverage electrically conductive porous carbon materials, including HydroGraph’s proprietary graphene, to create scalable, silent, and efficient motion.

This marks the first U.S. patent developed within HydroGraph’s own laboratories, building upon the company’s foundational graphene synthesis patents licensed from Kansas State University. HydroGraph currently has 11 additional patent applications pending across various nanomaterial innovations and applications.

The patented design harnesses Joule heating to expand the enclosed air within the highly porous structure of Fractal Graphene™, which is composed of more than 95% air. By applying a small voltage, the actuator generates rapid, silent, and scalable motion—producing approximately one newton of force from a unit roughly the size of a finger, with designs scalable to larger outputs.

HydroGraph Chief Science Officer and co-inventor Dr. Ranjith Divigalpitiya said the structure of Fractal Graphene™ “is more than 95 percent air, giving it an extraordinary ability to generate force when heated electrically. In effect, it is essentially electrically conducting air. This patent demonstrates how the intrinsic properties of our material can be translated into new types of actuators. While further validation and development are required, the scientific foundation laid here opens a pathway to motion technologies that are lightweight, quiet, and adaptable across scales.”

The actuator’s performance potential supports applications across HVAC systems, consumer appliances, automotive thermal management, microfluidics, and aerospace robotics, offering an energy-efficient and noise-free alternative to traditional actuation technologies. HydroGraph CEO Kjirstin Breure said that “securing this patent is an important milestone in broadening HydroGraph’s intellectual property portfolio. While our core focus remains on the commercialization of high-purity graphene, this achievement underscores the versatility of our technology platform. Intellectual property of this nature strengthens our long-term position and provides optionality as we evaluate applications where our materials can create measurable value. We look forward to working with potential partners to explore the most suitable avenues for this innovation.”

About HydroGraph Clean Power Inc.

HydroGraph Clean Power Inc. (CSE: HG) (OTCQB: HGRAF), headquartered in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, was founded in 2017 and acquired the exclusive license from Kansas State University to produce both graphene and hydrogen through its patented detonation synthesis process. The company manufactures high-quality graphene and other advanced nanomaterials with low energy consumption and exceptional batch consistency. HydroGraph’s products meet the Graphene Council’s Verified Graphene Producer® standards and are designed for use in energy storage, advanced composites, coatings, and thermal management applications.

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Source/Photo Credit: HydroGraph Clean Power Inc.

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