National Graphene Institute

Graphene: The textiles renaissance
National Graphene Institute 3rd June 2019
Graphene was the world’s first two-dimensional material. Stronger than steel, more conductive than copper, flexible and transparent, graphene’s properties have captured the imagination of many since its isolation in 2004. Due to graphene’s diverse properties, it lends itself to a multitude of applications from composites and coatings, water filtration, sensors, electronics and biomedical applications. But […]

Four years of world-leading research
National Graphene Institute 15th March 2019
It’s been four years since the National Graphene Institute (NGI) at The University of Manchester officially opened its doors. Since then it has welcomed visitors from across the globe including the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge and President Xi Jingping of the People’s Republic of China. It has also been at the forefront of graphene […]

Building “science supply chains” will help universities catapult research into successful commercialisation
Collaborations 6th June 2018
James Baker, CEO of Graphene@Manchester and commercialisation lead for 2D Materials within the Henry Royce Institute, believes building science supply chains will help bring academia and businesses ever closer as they compete for government funding to meet the grand challenges ahead. The coming together of universities and businesses should be the perfect partnership – but […]

Creating an ‘Industrial Strategy’ for advanced materials will power the northern and UK economies
Collaborations 23rd May 2018
James Baker, CEO of Graphene@Manchester, believes the strategic investment being made in Manchester to underpin its advanced materials capability has the potential to create a global economic powerhouse. James will co-host a round table at the forthcoming FT UK Business Conference Opportunities for Future Growth in the North organised by Financial Times LIVE. The future […]

What’s next for wearable technologies?
Research 30th October 2017
In recent years millions of people have adopted the use of wearable technologies. Devices that monitor everything from heart rate, eating habits and activity levels to weight and sleeping patterns have now become the norm in our daily lives.

2D Materials – A quest for clean water
Research 26th October 2017
Our quest to help make seawater drinkable leads to a scientific discovery we weren’t expecting – salt ions that can change shape. Desalination of seawater remains one of the most challenging and expensive ways to produce drinking water.

Guest blog: New pioneering applications star in Wonder Materials exhibition
Applications 4th January 2017
The Wonder Materials: Graphene and Beyond exhibition at the Museum of Science and Industry in Manchester has been open for just over six months. Over that time, we’ve had an incredible 80000 visitors. People have described the exhibition as inspiring, fun, and informative.

How do you keep a cleanroom clean?
Research 15th December 2016
The air inside a cleanroom is one million times purer than the air we breathe each day. The National Graphene Institute (NGI) boasts 1500 square meters of cleanroom space but what is a cleanroom and how do you keep it clean?

Graphene membranes- creating the perfect barrier
Research 15th April 2016
Out next blogger is James Dix, who is currently studying for a PhD in the NOWNANO Centre for Doctoral Training (CDT). Originally from Bristol, he went on to study a Joint Honours Masters Degree in Chemistry and Physics in Durham, graduating in 2013. His speciality is in the area of graphene oxide membranes. Could you […]

Biosensors, drug delivery and diabetes
Research 21st March 2016
Joe Butcher a PhD student in the Graphene NOWNANO Centre for Doctoral Training (CDT) programme. Talks to us about his work on biosensors and how they could revolutionise medical applications. Can you give an outline of the kind of research that you do (in layman’s terms), and particularly how it relates to graphene? I’m trying […]