No small matter
Why something so small could have such a huge impact on your life.
Manchester: home of graphene
Why something so small could have such a huge impact on your life.
Manchester: home of graphene
Ultra-light aircraft. TV sets as thin as wallpaper. Touchscreen electronics as flexible and thin as a piece of paper.
Big impact
Far from being a figment of the imagination, these futuristic devices and countless more could soon be reality thanks to a wonder material developed at The University of Manchester. Take almost any object you can imagine and remove one dimension – its thickness. That’s what graphene can do.
One atom thick, graphene is the thinnest material on earth and 200 times stronger than steel. It conducts electricity more efficiently than copper and conducts heat better than any other material. The combination of its unique properties make it a material with significant potential in a wide range of new and existing applications.
Ultra-light aircraft. TV sets as thin as wallpaper. Touchscreen electronics as flexible and thin as a piece of paper.
Big impact
Far from being a figment of the imagination, these futuristic devices and countless more could soon be reality thanks to a wonder material developed at The University of Manchester. Take almost any object you can imagine and remove one dimension – its thickness. That’s what graphene can do.
One atom thick, graphene is the thinnest material on earth and 200 times stronger than steel. It conducts electricity more efficiently than copper and conducts heat better than any other material. The combination of its unique properties make it a material with significant potential in a wide range of new and existing applications.
Graphene is potentially the most important discovery of the century.
Graphene is potentially the most important discovery of the century.
Graphene may be something you can only wonder about right now, but it could be a part of everyone’s life very soon.
This 2D substance was first isolated at The University of Manchester by Professor Andre Geim and Professor Kostya Novoselov. It is such a significant finding that in 2010 they were honoured for their achievement with the Nobel prize for Physics, and were knighted in 2012.
Already many industries are excited by graphene and some of the world’s largest companies are looking to partner with The University of Manchester to explore its uses. It is expected that we will see the first use of graphene in mobile devices, probably by 2015. From there on it could be used in numerous ways, revolutionising everything from the telecommunications industry to the way drugs are administered.
Graphene may be something you can only wonder about right now, but it could be a part of everyone’s life very soon.
This 2D substance was first isolated at The University of Manchester by Professor Andre Geim and Professor Kostya Novoselov. It is such a significant finding that in 2010 they were honoured for their achievement with the Nobel prize for Physics, and were knighted in 2012.
Already many industries are excited by graphene and some of the world’s largest companies are looking to partner with The University of Manchester to explore its uses. It is expected that we will see the first use of graphene in mobile devices, probably by 2015. From there on it could be used in numerous ways, revolutionising everything from the telecommunications industry to the way drugs are administered.
Faster than a speeding bullet: graphene can provide super-fast internet connections and increase bandwidth per wavelength to 640 GHz.
Faster than a speeding bullet: graphene can provide super-fast internet connections and increase bandwidth per wavelength to 640 GHz.
Graphene’s story began as curiosity-driven research carried out by Professors Geim and Novoselov at The University of Manchester, known as the ‘Friday night experiments’.
The graphene geniuses
Professor Andre Geim
Professor Kostya Novoselov
Graphene’s story began as curiosity-driven research carried out by Professors Geim and Novoselov at The University of Manchester, known as the ‘Friday night experiments’.
The graphene geniuses
Professor Andre Geim
Professor Kostya Novoselov
They struck upon the idea of using Scotch tape to peel away layers from a pencil lead.
They struck upon the idea of using Scotch tape to peel away layers from a pencil lead.
Each week the pair would sit down to explore a scientific idea, no matter how random or bizarre. Their task that week was to try to isolate graphene from graphite – a feat never before achieved. They struck upon the idea of using Scotch tape to peel away layers from a pencil lead, producing tiny flakes of graphite. These were then peeled over and over again, until all that was left was a one-atom-thick layer. They had created graphene. Both professors are considered exceptional and they have been recognised for their outstanding work around the world by their peers. Professor Geim is the Langworthy Professor and Director of the Manchester Centre for Mesoscience and Nanotechnology.
Before his appointment at the University he was Associate Professor at Radboud University in Nijmegen, Holland. He is the only scientist to date to have been awarded both the Nobel Prize and the Ig Nobel Prize – an award given to unusual or amusing scientific projects – for his work on levitating frogs. Professor Novoselov is a member of the Condensed Matter Research Group at The University of Manchester, as a Royal Society University Research Fellow. He is also the recipient of the ERC Starting Grant from the European Research Council. Fiercely loyal to their students and colleagues, the pair now work with more than 100 researchers and scientists researching graphene, along with other 2D materials, at The University of Manchester.
Strong
Thin
Graphene is 200 times stronger than steel.
The thinnest material on earth – 1 million times thinner than a human hair.
Conductive
Two-dimensional
The world’s most conductive material.
The world’s first 2D material, opening the doors to new, experimental fields.
Stretchable
Multi-disciplinary
As well as transparent, flexible and impermeable.
More than 100 University of Manchester researchers work on graphene.
The facts
Each week the pair would sit down to explore a scientific idea, no matter how random or bizarre. Their task that week was to try to isolate graphene from graphite – a feat never before achieved. They struck upon the idea of using Scotch tape to peel away layers from a pencil lead, producing tiny flakes of graphite. These were then peeled over and over again, until all that was left was a one-atom-thick layer. They had created graphene. Both professors are considered exceptional and they have been recognised for their outstanding work around the world by their peers. Professor Geim is the Langworthy Professor and Director of the Manchester Centre for Mesoscience and Nanotechnology.
Before his appointment at the University he was Associate Professor at Radboud University in Nijmegen, Holland. He is the only scientist to date to have been awarded both the Nobel Prize and the Ig Nobel Prize – an award given to unusual or amusing scientific projects – for his work on levitating frogs. Professor Novoselov is a member of the Condensed Matter Research Group at The University of Manchester, as a Royal Society University Research Fellow. He is also the recipient of the ERC Starting Grant from the European Research Council. Fiercely loyal to their students and colleagues, the pair now work with more than 100 researchers and scientists researching graphene, along with other 2D materials, at The University of Manchester.
Strong
Thin
Graphene is 200 times stronger than steel.
The thinnest material on earth – 1 million times thinner than a human hair.
Conductive
Two-dimensional
The world’s most conductive material.
The world’s first 2D material, opening the doors to new, experimental fields.
Stretchable
Multi-disciplinary
As well as transparent, flexible and impermeable.
More than 100 University of Manchester researchers work on graphene.
The facts
The next industrial revolution could once again start in Manchester.
During the first industrial age Manchester was at the forefront of modernising the entire world. In the coming years it will once again take centre stage. The £61m state-of-the-art National Graphene Institute (NGI) at The University of Manchester will revolutionise many of the world’s technology-based industries. The NGI is funded by £38m from the UK Government, via the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council, and £23m from the European Regional Development Fund.
Manchester’s new revolution
The NGI will provide a world-leading centre for research in graphene. It will also support the development of applications and business opportunities through partnership with firms, the commercialisation of intellectual property (including start-ups) and the provision of highly-trained people with scientific and entrepreneurial skills.
Scientists from companies around the world will be able to be embedded in the NGI to work day-to-day with our world-leading scientists. Set to open in March 2015, it will operate as a hub for UK graphene research and provide opportunities for other universities to work with our world-class experts across a variety of academic disciplines.
The next industrial revolution could once again start in Manchester.
During the first industrial age Manchester was at the forefront of modernising the entire world. In the coming years it will once again take centre stage. The £61m state-of-the-art National Graphene Institute (NGI) at The University of Manchester will revolutionise many of the world’s technology-based industries. The NGI is funded by £38m from the UK Government, via the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council, and £23m from the European Regional Development Fund.
Manchester’s new revolution
The NGI will provide a world-leading centre for research in graphene. It will also support the development of applications and business opportunities through partnership with firms, the commercialisation of intellectual property (including start-ups) and the provision of highly-trained people with scientific and entrepreneurial skills.
Scientists from companies around the world will be able to be embedded in the NGI to work day-to-day with our world-leading scientists. Set to open in March 2015, it will operate as a hub for UK graphene research and provide opportunities for other universities to work with our world-class experts across a variety of academic disciplines.
Graphene could change the world as radically as the industrial revolution did and we’re proud to say that both events were and will be shaped in Manchester.
EUROPEAN UNION Investing in Your Future
European Regional Development Fund 2007-13
At 7,800 square metres, the National Graphene Institute will house two large ‘cleanrooms’ for research free from contamination, and research areas for collaborative work. Its resources and calibre of staff will make the NGI the leading centre of graphene research in the world.
Graphene could change the world as radically as the industrial revolution did and we’re proud to say that both events were and will be shaped in Manchester.
EUROPEAN UNION Investing in Your Future
European Regional Development Fund 2007-13
At 7,800 square metres, the National Graphene Institute will house two large ‘cleanrooms’ for research free from contamination, and research areas for collaborative work. Its resources and calibre of staff will make the NGI the leading centre of graphene research in the world.
Graphene is not only thin, it’s also tough, light, flexible and can conduct heat and electricity amazingly. Just a few reasons to invest in graphene.
No thin argument for investing in graphene
Right now The University of Manchester is building relationships with industry and is working towards forming partnerships with a number of leading companies. This is a unique opportunity to be at the forefront of developing one of the major scientific advancements of recent years. Over the next decade graphene could be used in thousands of different applications. We believe those companies with the best understanding will benefit the most.
Finding the right industry partners is crucial, as they will allow us to further explore and discover. This will ensure we maximise graphene’s potential. We can offer these partners resources that address their needs and demonstrate how the development of graphene applications can impact on their business both in the short and long-term. Partners will also benefit from working closely with world-leading researchers and scientists to work on collaborative research. If your company wants to be seen as a leading innovator there can be no argument about where you need to be.
Graphene is not only thin, it’s also tough, light, flexible and can conduct heat and electricity amazingly. Just a few reasons to invest in graphene.
No thin argument for investing in graphene
Right now The University of Manchester is building relationships with industry and is working towards forming partnerships with a number of leading companies. This is a unique opportunity to be at the forefront of developing one of the major scientific advancements of recent years. Over the next decade graphene could be used in thousands of different applications. We believe those companies with the best understanding will benefit the most.
Finding the right industry partners is crucial, as they will allow us to further explore and discover. This will ensure we maximise graphene’s potential. We can offer these partners resources that address their needs and demonstrate how the development of graphene applications can impact on their business both in the short and long-term. Partners will also benefit from working closely with world-leading researchers and scientists to work on collaborative research. If your company wants to be seen as a leading innovator there can be no argument about where you need to be.
We’ve been shaping the future for more than 175 years.
The University of Manchester’s reputation for world-renowned scientific firsts began when Ernest Rutherford first split the atom. The spirit of discovery and innovation was continued with the invention of the world’s first, stored-program computer and such daring projects as the Lovell Telescope at the Jodrell Bank Observatory.
A history of innovation
Our 25 Nobel Laureates have also contributed to a range of subjects that include chemistry, physiology and medicine, economics and physics. Today our eminent academics include world-leaders in many fields, including Nobel Laureates John Sulston and Joseph Stiglitz, while in the past people like Bernard Lovell, WS Jevons and AJP Taylor have all lectured in our classrooms. But it’s not just the people that make The University
of Manchester special; our facilities also rate highly too. Jodrell Bank Observatory helped confirm Einstein’s theory of general relativity while the John Rylands Library is one of the UK’s most important and historic libraries. More recently, the Alan Gilbert Learning Commons has opened – offering students a modern, interactive space to study. Between them these dedicated, driven people and unparalleled facilities have been responsible for many milestone achievements that have benefited the whole of mankind. This combination of people and facilities confirms our worldwide reputation, which is the envy of many other universities. And while we acknowledge the accomplishments of the past we are also looking to the future by encouraging people to push boundaries and explore far and wide.
We’ve been shaping the future for more than 175 years.
The University of Manchester’s reputation for world-renowned scientific firsts began when Ernest Rutherford first split the atom. The spirit of discovery and innovation was continued with the invention of the world’s first, stored-program computer and such daring projects as the Lovell Telescope at the Jodrell Bank Observatory.
A history of innovation
Our 25 Nobel Laureates have also contributed to a range of subjects that include chemistry, physiology and medicine, economics and physics. Today our eminent academics include world-leaders in many fields, including Nobel Laureates John Sulston and Joseph Stiglitz, while in the past people like Bernard Lovell, WS Jevons and AJP Taylor have all lectured in our classrooms. But it’s not just the people that make The University
of Manchester special; our facilities also rate highly too. Jodrell Bank Observatory helped confirm Einstein’s theory of general relativity while the John Rylands Library is one of the UK’s most important and historic libraries. More recently, the Alan Gilbert Learning Commons has opened – offering students a modern, interactive space to study. Between them these dedicated, driven people and unparalleled facilities have been responsible for many milestone achievements that have benefited the whole of mankind. This combination of people and facilities confirms our worldwide reputation, which is the envy of many other universities. And while we acknowledge the accomplishments of the past we are also looking to the future by encouraging people to push boundaries and explore far and wide.
While it is a privilege for The University of Manchester to have shaped the past, it is essential we do the same in the future.
While it is a privilege for The University of Manchester to have shaped the past, it is essential we do the same in the future.
Estimated dates for graphene applications.
2015 Electronic circuits and coatings Transparent and conductive coatings and inks for automotive and aerospace Printable electronics like RFID-tags used as anti-theft devices in packaging Bendable electronics integrated into clothing, packaging etc
The future
2016 Optoelectronics Flexible, durable touchscreen displays for mobile consumer electronics Rollable electronic paper for mobile consumer electronics Foldable organic lighting for home and office
2017 Fibre-optic communications systems Photodetectors for use in night-vision, solar cells, biomedical imaging Solid-state lasers Modulators of beams of light
Estimated dates for graphene applications.
2015 Electronic circuits and coatings Transparent and conductive coatings and inks for automotive and aerospace Printable electronics like RFID-tags used as anti-theft devices in packaging Bendable electronics integrated into clothing, packaging etc
The future
2016 Optoelectronics Flexible, durable touchscreen displays for mobile consumer electronics Rollable electronic paper for mobile consumer electronics Foldable organic lighting for home and office
2017 Fibre-optic communications systems Photodetectors for use in night-vision, solar cells, biomedical imaging Solid-state lasers Modulators of beams of light
2018
2021
2024
2027
Distributed sensor networks
Self-powered flexible mobile devices
Ultrafast low-power logic circuits
Integrated circuits and chips
Food quality and safety biosensors
Lightweight batteries
High-frequency analogue-digital converters
Interconnects and transistors in computer chips
Terahertz detectors – molecular and astronomical spectroscopy
Data storage using non-volatile memory in flash drive type storage
Solar energy converters Environmental sensors DNA sensors for drug development
High-performance supercapacitors
2022
Medical diagnostics and repair kits
Spin-logic
Artificial retinas and prosthetics
Spin-based computer chips
Terahertz imaging
Nanomagnetic data
2018
2021
2024
2027
Distributed sensor networks
Self-powered flexible mobile devices
Ultrafast low-power logic circuits
Integrated circuits and chips
Food quality and safety biosensors
Lightweight batteries
High-frequency analogue-digital converters
Interconnects and transistors in computer chips
Terahertz detectors – molecular and astronomical spectroscopy
Data storage using non-volatile memory in flash drive type storage
Solar energy converters Environmental sensors DNA sensors for drug development
High-performance supercapacitors
2022
Medical diagnostics and repair kits
Spin-logic
Artificial retinas and prosthetics
Spin-based computer chips
Terahertz imaging
Nanomagnetic data
Graphene is expected to be used in aerospace and automotive composites and coatings.
Graphene is expected to be used in aerospace and automotive composites and coatings.
Science is at its best when it is multi-disciplinary; researchers cutting through traditional boundaries to collaborate across dierent specialisms and areas of expertise.
A disciplined approach
The vast potential of the wonder material, across so many fields, is what drives this collaborative approach. The same ethos is key to the principle of the NGI – working with companies with a wide range of products.
Graphene is truly inter-disciplinary. At The University of Manchester, academics from up to ten different research areas are involved in research projects – the main ones being Physics, Chemistry, Materials Science and Computer Science. More than 100 people are involved in graphene research.
Science is at its best when it is multi-disciplinary; researchers cutting through traditional boundaries to collaborate across dierent specialisms and areas of expertise.
A disciplined approach
The vast potential of the wonder material, across so many fields, is what drives this collaborative approach. The same ethos is key to the principle of the NGI – working with companies with a wide range of products.
Graphene is truly inter-disciplinary. At The University of Manchester, academics from up to ten different research areas are involved in research projects – the main ones being Physics, Chemistry, Materials Science and Computer Science. More than 100 people are involved in graphene research.
Austin Howard Adam Cooper Aidan Rooney Aimin Song Alan Brisdon Alan Dickson Alastair Martin Alexander Golovanov Alexander Grigorenko Alexander Zhukov Amanda Lewis Andrei Golov Andrew Forsyth Andre Geim Andrea Verre Andrew Rodgers Andrey Kretinin Anna Valota Anthony Freemont Antonios Oikonomou Aravind Vijayaraghavan Artem Mishchenko Arthur Garforth Axel Eckmann Benjamin Thackray Branson Belle Bruce Hamilton Bruce Grieve Cheng-Ta Pan Cristina Vallés Christine Stokes Christopher Blanford Cinzia Casiraghi Colin Woods Damien Jeanmaire Daniel Ansell Daniel Davis David Clarke David Eales Deborah Lomax Edward Lewis Ernie Hill Fred Schedin Freddie Withers Geliang Yu Gregory Auton Huafeng Yang Ian Kimber Ian Kinloch Ibtsam Riaz I-ling Tsai Irina Grigorieva Jaesung Park James Chapman Jhih-Sian Tu Kai-ge Zhou Konstantin Novoselov Laurence Eaves Leonid Ponomarenko Liam Britnell Lin Li Lu Shin Wong Marcelo Lozada Hidalgo Margherita Sepioni Mike Holmes Mo Missous Morten Aalbring Nicola Tirelli Nicholas Clark Patrick May Paul O’Brien Peter Budd Peng Tian Peter Blake Philip Day Phil Shapira Rahul Raveendran Nair Rakesh Joshi Rashid Jalil Raymond Agius Recep Zan Richard Holmes Richard O’Connor Richard Winpenny Robert Bird Robert Dryfe Robert Young Roman Gorbachev Sarah Haigh Sarah Varey Sergey Morozov Sheng Hu Shuangyin Wang Stefan Goodwin Subhasish Chakraborty Thanasis Georgiou Thomas Folland Thomas Slater Thomas Thomson Ursel Bangert Vasyl Kravets Werner Muller William Pierce Yang Cao Yong Jin Kim Yu Zheng Zhipeng Wu
We want to hear from you: your ideas about graphene, your feedback on our groundbreaking work.
Manchester’s graphene researchers
What you can do now
Send us your thoughts and we will do our best to answer them. Key points of contact at the University are: Ivan Buckley Graphene Project Manager ivan.buckley @manchester.ac.uk +44 (0) 161 275 2441 Daniel Cochlin Graphene Communications and Marketing Manager daniel.cochlin @manchester.ac.uk +44 (0) 161 275 8382
Austin Howard Adam Cooper Aidan Rooney Aimin Song Alan Brisdon Alan Dickson Alastair Martin Alexander Golovanov Alexander Grigorenko Alexander Zhukov Amanda Lewis Andrei Golov Andrew Forsyth Andre Geim Andrea Verre Andrew Rodgers Andrey Kretinin Anna Valota Anthony Freemont Antonios Oikonomou Aravind Vijayaraghavan Artem Mishchenko Arthur Garforth Axel Eckmann Benjamin Thackray Branson Belle Bruce Hamilton Bruce Grieve Cheng-Ta Pan Cristina Vallés Christine Stokes Christopher Blanford Cinzia Casiraghi Colin Woods Damien Jeanmaire Daniel Ansell Daniel Davis David Clarke David Eales Deborah Lomax Edward Lewis Ernie Hill Fred Schedin Freddie Withers Geliang Yu Gregory Auton Huafeng Yang Ian Kimber Ian Kinloch Ibtsam Riaz I-ling Tsai Irina Grigorieva Jaesung Park James Chapman Jhih-Sian Tu Kai-ge Zhou Konstantin Novoselov Laurence Eaves Leonid Ponomarenko Liam Britnell Lin Li Lu Shin Wong Marcelo Lozada Hidalgo Margherita Sepioni Mike Holmes Mo Missous Morten Aalbring Nicola Tirelli Nicholas Clark Patrick May Paul O’Brien Peter Budd Peng Tian Peter Blake Philip Day Phil Shapira Rahul Raveendran Nair Rakesh Joshi Rashid Jalil Raymond Agius Recep Zan Richard Holmes Richard O’Connor Richard Winpenny Robert Bird Robert Dryfe Robert Young Roman Gorbachev Sarah Haigh Sarah Varey Sergey Morozov Sheng Hu Shuangyin Wang Stefan Goodwin Subhasish Chakraborty Thanasis Georgiou Thomas Folland Thomas Slater Thomas Thomson Ursel Bangert Vasyl Kravets Werner Muller William Pierce Yang Cao Yong Jin Kim Yu Zheng Zhipeng Wu
We want to hear from you: your ideas about graphene, your feedback on our groundbreaking work.
Manchester’s graphene researchers
What you can do now
Send us your thoughts and we will do our best to answer them. Key points of contact at the University are: Ivan Buckley Graphene Project Manager ivan.buckley @manchester.ac.uk +44 (0) 161 275 2441 Daniel Cochlin Graphene Communications and Marketing Manager daniel.cochlin @manchester.ac.uk +44 (0) 161 275 8382
Manchester: home of graphene. Oxford Road Manchester M13 9PL +44 (0)161 275 2077 www.manchester.ac.uk
Much more information can be found at our website: graphene.manchester.ac.uk where you can also see a wide range of images and videos charting the history of graphene.
EUROPEAN UNION Investing in Your Future
European Regional Development Fund 2007-13
All information is correct at the time of publication. However, research is dynamic and constantly evolving, so estimated dates for applications and future uses for graphene are likely to change or become inapplicable. Royal Charter RC000797 Design by HAVAS LYNX
Manchester: home of graphene. Oxford Road Manchester M13 9PL +44 (0)161 275 2077 www.manchester.ac.uk
Much more information can be found at our website: graphene.manchester.ac.uk where you can also see a wide range of images and videos charting the history of graphene.
EUROPEAN UNION Investing in Your Future
European Regional Development Fund 2007-13
All information is correct at the time of publication. However, research is dynamic and constantly evolving, so estimated dates for applications and future uses for graphene are likely to change or become inapplicable. Royal Charter RC000797 Design by HAVAS LYNX