Graphene: The Route to Commercialisation

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.

James H. Baker is a recognised innovation leader and commercialisation expert. He is currently CEO of Graphene@Manchester, based at the University of Manchester, which he joined in 2014. In his unique role, he develops industrial partnerships and collaborations to accelerate the commercialisation opportunities for graphene, the world’s first two-dimensional material that has been dubbed a ’wonder material’. Before entering the higher education sector, James worked in industry for 25 years and led on a number of prestigious national innovation projects as managing director of the Advanced Technology Centres for BAE Systems in the UK.

James Tallentire has worked across various aspects of communications and stakeholder engagement in the UK higher education sector, supporting leadership teams at Staffordshire University, Birmingham City University and the University of Manchester. All these institutions have shared similar commitments--to support the economic and social development of their respective city regions through applied research, innovation and talent creation to make positive change happen. Most recently, James has been a champion of the Manchester Model of Innovation, which is associated with Manchester’s world-class advanced materials portfolio, including the pioneering ecosystem that brings academic, civic and business leaders together to commercialise graphene.