University of Manchester to open £30 million graphene centre

Chancellor George Osborne has announced plans for a Graphene Engineering Innovation Centre (GEIC) to be based at University of Manchester.

Mr Osborne said it would enable the fast tracking of graphene products from the drawing board to the market.

It is designed to complement the National Graphene Institute (NGI) under construction in Manchesterand due to open next year.

Mr Osborne said the new centre alongside the NGI put Manchester and the UK in pole position to “lead the world” in graphene technology.

The GEIC, which is the second of its kind in the UK, will be critical to the development of commercial applications for graphene.

The GEIC will be partially funded by £15 million from the UK Research Partnership Infrastructure Fund (UKRPIF), and by £30 million from Masdar, the Abu Dhabi-based renewable energy company which focuses on advancing the development, commercialisation and deployment of clean technologies and solutions

Sir Richard Leese, leader of Manchester City Council, said: “The announcement of the Graphene Engineering Innovation Centre in Manchester, to complement the existing National Graphene Centre, is a highly significant one.

“Not only does it underline the University of Manchester’s world-class credentials, it also reinforces the city’s place at the leading edge of advanced material research.

“It is another compelling illustration of Manchester’s ability to attract foreign investment in a competitive global market.This announcement is another manifestation of Abu Dhabi’s commitment to working with Manchester and the network of constructive relationships which have been built up over the last five years.

“Manchester is where graphene was first discovered and it’s genuinely exciting that the city will be in the forefront of work into its commercial applications.”

Image used under Wikipedia Creative Commons License. Credit: Mike Peel

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