Morgan & University of Manchester to develop graphene

The world’s thinnest material and a potent conductor, graphene is a one-atom thick carbon allotrope. It is extremely lightweight, chemically inert and has a large surface area. Therefore, with further research and testing, graphene could change the way we think about electrical and chemical engineering.

Exploring the full potential of graphene, the partnership will combine Morgan’s 150 years of carbon processing expertise with some of the University’s leading graphene researchers. This joint development will focus on understanding and optimising the relationship between the manufacturing process and materials science. Originally working with the university in 2010 on a number of Government-funded materials and related programmes, this graphene development agreement represents the next stage in their relationship.

Graphene was first isolated at the university ten years ago, for which two Nobel Prizes were awarded. The University of Manchester, a world leader in applied and fundamental graphene research, has around 200 graphene researchers. The £61m National Graphene Institute at the University is set to open in early 2015.

Clive Rowland, CEO, University of Manchester’s Innovation Company, UMI3, commented: “To explore and fully exploit the properties of graphene, commercial partnerships are vital. I am very pleased with our collaboration with Morgan, which is based around an intellectual property project that we have taken to the proof-of-principle stage. We have consistently said that joining forces with world-class companies like Morgan Advanced Materials and tapping into such engineering and industrial experience will help us realise the full potential of the material and greatly assist us in overcoming the myriad challenges of taking an entirely new material from the laboratory all the way through to the manufacturing stage and ultimately to market adoption.”

“With decades of expertise in developing specialist carbon-based materials, Morgan’s material scientists will be based full time at the university, working closely with academic colleagues to understand the manufacturing mechanism and properties of graphene, helping us explore the applications where the technology can be used for optimum benefit,” added Dr Mike Murray, CTO, Morgan Advanced Materials.