We now reached a stage in graphene commercialisation where we are seeing large-scale commitments to graphene and its products, e.g. Ford Motor Company, Huawei. There is a notable trend toward towards applications focus in terms of technology development. We highlight how the University of Manchester is evolving to meet such demands through the $100m Graphene Engineering Innovation Centre (GEIC).

Ivan Buckley is the Director, Business Development for Graphene@Manchester, which includes The University of Manchester, the National Graphene Institute (NGI) and the Graphene Engineering Innovation Centre (GEIC). Previously, he was the Project Manager for the Manufacturing Technology Centre (MTC), the largest centre of its type within the UK national High Value Manufacturing Catapult Network. Originally from an industry background, he has championed the need for high value manufacturing and the role that advanced materials can play in its recovery, playing a prominent role in the development and implementation of both regional and national strategies for High Value Manufacturing and Advanced Materials.

The University of Manchester is recognised as the Home of Graphene. Following the award of the Nobel Prize to two of its staff in 2010, the graphene and 2D materials team at Manchester has grown to over 300 researchers, with 30 active research groups, working with over 100 industry partners and is home to the $100m National Research Institute (NGI) and the new $100m Graphene Engineering Innovation Centre (GEIC).