Avadain graphene

Avadain Graphene is positioned to address a significant bottleneck in the advanced materials market: the scalable production of high-quality graphene. Founded in September 2021 by Bradley Larschan, Phil Van Wormer, and Ericka Wojack, the company's genesis is rooted in commercializing technology developed at Germany's Fraunhofer Institute for Applied Solid State Physics. CEO Bradley Larschan brings over two decades of experience in technology commercialization, specifically in transitioning innovations from research institutions to commercial markets. This background is central to Avadain's strategy.

The core of Avadain's business is its proprietary and globally patented manufacturing process for producing large, thin, and nearly defect-free (LTDF) graphene flakes. Unlike common methods that result in graphene oxide with numerous defects, Avadain employs an optimized electrochemical exfoliation and expansion process. This technique uses hydrogenation, which is reversible, to gently separate graphite layers, achieving a yield of over 70% while preserving the material's structural integrity. The resulting LTDF graphene is characterized by a large surface area (averaging over 25 µm²), minimal thickness (under five atomic layers), and a lack of defects, which are critical for conferring graphene's properties like exceptional strength and conductivity to other products.

Avadain operates on a capital-light licensing business model, a strategic choice to focus on technology optimization rather than direct manufacturing. The company licenses its technology to established chemical and advanced materials manufacturers who have the existing infrastructure, personnel, and distribution channels. This model is designed to accelerate the adoption and democratization of high-quality graphene. Revenue is generated through royalty payments from these licensees, with agreements specifying a 10% royalty on a minimum production of two metric tons per year per licensee. In early 2025, Avadain signed its first licensing agreement with Harcros Chemicals, which will produce and sell Avadain's LTDF graphene to its customers. The company has received significant financial backing, including investments from Panasonic and Harvard Business School Alumni Angels, a $3.77 million grant from the U.S. National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), and has raised over $18 million through various funding rounds.

The company targets a broad market, aiming to supply an additive material that can enhance products across more than 45 industries, including aerospace, defense, electronics, energy storage, and composites. By adding a small amount of LTDF graphene (0.1% - 0.5%), products can be made significantly lighter, stronger, and more conductive. The upscaling of its manufacturing process from a lab-based batch system to a continuous flow industrial process is being conducted by the Southwest Research Institute (SwRI). Avadain holds patents in over 40 countries, providing a strong intellectual property foundation for its licensing model.

Keywords: graphene production, LTDF graphene, advanced materials, material science, technology licensing, electrochemical exfoliation, graphene flakes, intellectual property, chemical manufacturing, composites, energy storage, nanotechnology, Bradley Larschan, Harcros Chemicals, Panasonic, Southwest Research Institute, high-conductivity materials, lightweight materials, additive manufacturing, green technology