Lomiko Metals Inc. announced Graphene 3D Lab has reached a significant milestone by filing a provisional patent application for the use of graphene-enhanced material, along with other materials, in 3D Printing (Additive Manufacturing). On September 17, 2013, Lomiko and Graphene Labs reported that in the first step of the conversion process of graphite to graphene, natural graphite flakes were oxidized and turned into Graphene Oxide by a modified Hummer's method. The properties of graphene, including its high conductivity, mechanical strength, and high specific surface area, make it an ideal electrode material.

3D printing or additive manufacturing is the process of creating a three-dimensional, solid object from a digital file, of virtually any shape. 3D printing is achieved using an additive process, whereas successive layers of material are laid down and create different shapes. Adding graphene to polymers which are conventionally used in 3D printing improves the properties of the polymer in many different ways; it improves the polymers mechanical strength as well as its electrical and thermal conductivity.

The method described in the provisional patent application allows consumers to use the polymer, infused with graphene, together with conventional polymers in the same printing process, thereby fabricating functional electronic devices using 3D printing. New developments in 3D printing will allow for the creation of products with different components, such as printed electronic circuits, sensors, or batteries to be manufactured. 3D Printing is a new and promising manufacturing technology that has garnered much interest, growing from uses in prototyping to everyday products.

Today, it is a billion dollar industry growing at a brisk pace.