Graphene

The isolation of graphene in 2004 by two scientists at the University of Manchester—a breakthrough later recognised by the Nobel Prize for physics—revealed to the world a brand new ‘wonder material’ which had been ‘completely hidden from science’. Graphene, the world’s first two-dimensional material, promises huge opportunities for a range of sectors, from aerospace to energy to biomedical. But how can the UK be known for ‘Made in Britain’ as well as discovered in Britain? As an answer, this book explores how the Manchester model of innovation has evolved to not only support great science but also accelerate the adoption of graphene into real-world products and anchoring an innovation ecosystem in the place of UK discovery. This book features first-hand experience, case studies and interviews with key strategic players in the graphene story to illustrate how Manchester has built a unique model of collaboration with industry to create an ecosystem that features a supply chain of companies not only producing graphene material but also starting to disrupt the marketplace with new products and application as we approach the tipping point of commercialisation.

Key features:

• Reveals how the world’s first materials innovation ecosystem was created in Manchester, the ‘home of graphene’, where the isolation of the first ever man-made 2D material earned two Manchester scientists the Nobel Prize for physics

• Describes the ‘Manchester Model of Innovation’, which has been built around the commercialisation of graphene and inspired by lessons learnt from successfully applying an open innovation approach at the heart of the UK’s defence R&D programme

• Features unique insights and first-hand accounts from James Baker, one of the UK’s leading experts in materials innovation, in addition to rare and exclusive access to some of the key players and senior decision-makers in graphene’s commercialisation story

• Charts out the amazing journey to commercialise graphene featuring a cast of champions, including advocacy from a Chancellor of the Exchequer and an unlikely association with one of Europe’s most prominent football teams, Manchester City FC

• Offers valuable insights and lessons in how to ensure that the full value of pioneering British-based science can be anchored in the place of discovery as the UK looks to ‘level up’ its regional R&D spend and ‘build back better’ in the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic.

• Illustrated throughout with excellent figures, case studies, graphs and references to accompany each section