XG Sciences

About

XG Sciences, Inc., founded in 2006 in Lansing, Michigan, pioneered the commercial production of graphene nanoplatelets (xGnP) for energy storage, composites, and coatings applications. With over $50 million in funding and 50-100 employees, XG Sciences developed proprietary manufacturing processes that produce multi-layer graphene platelets with precisely controlled dimensions and properties optimized for industrial use. The company emerged from Michigan State University research on graphite intercalation and exfoliation, translating academic discoveries into scalable production technologies. XG Sciences' xGnP graphene nanoplatelets consist of small stacks of graphene sheets (typically 5-15 layers) with lateral dimensions of 5-25 micrometers, providing an optimal balance between graphene's exceptional properties and practical dispersibility in various matrices. These nanoplatelets offer extremely high surface area, excellent electrical and thermal conductivity, and superior mechanical properties while remaining compatible with conventional mixing and processing equipment. XG Sciences initially focused on lithium-ion battery applications, where xGnP additives in both anodes and cathodes improve electrical conductivity, enabling faster charging and higher power output. The company developed specialty graphene grades optimized for battery applications, with surface treatments and particle size distributions tailored for optimal electrode performance. In battery cathodes, xGnP creates conductive networks that improve rate capability, while in anodes, graphene can blend with silicon to accommodate volume expansion. Beyond batteries, XG Sciences targeted polymer composites where graphene nanoplatelets enhance mechanical strength, thermal management, and electrical properties at low loading levels (typically 1-5%). The company worked with automotive and electronics manufacturers to develop thermally conductive plastics for heat dissipation in electronic devices and lightweight structural composites for transportation applications. XG Sciences also developed graphene-enhanced coatings with improved barrier properties, corrosion resistance, and thermal management for industrial and marine applications. Throughout its history, the company invested heavily in application development laboratories and technical support, recognizing that successful graphene commercialization requires not just material production but also formulation expertise and customer collaboration. XG Sciences maintained extensive intellectual property portfolios covering graphene production methods, surface treatments, and specific applications. The company was acquired by Graphene X in 2020, but its technology and products continue as important contributors to the graphene industry. XG Sciences demonstrated that graphene nanoplatelets could transition from exotic research material to practical industrial additive, validating the commercial potential of graphene derivatives for large-scale applications.