A new national policy report has identified the graphene innovation ecosystem at Manchester as a regional hub for international partnership and investment. In this article, James Baker explores how this success demonstrates that research and development (R&D) investment into specialist regional clusters like Graphene@Manchester provides national government with an excellent return on investment as they […]
Could concrete save the planet? It’s not as crazy as it sounds…
The COP26 Climate Conference in Glasgow has been hailed as ‘the last best chance’ to commit nations to the actions needed to mitigate the effects of climate change. In this blog, James Baker, CEO of Graphene@Manchester – explains how a new concrete product, developed at The University of Manchester, could be the solution to a […]
Graphene providing a firm foundation for a more sustainable construction industry
If we want to achieve a zero carbon world we literally need to build it in a different way. Here, James Baker, CEO of Graphene@Manchester talks about the need to support and accelerate graphene innovation to help make building materials much more sustainable in a bid to meet regional and national net zero targets. Greater […]
New advanced UK research agency shares ethos of Manchester model of innovation
In this blog, James Baker, CEO of Graphene@Manchester, reflects upon how a change in the UK’s approach to research and innovation, particularly when it comes to advanced materials, could support the economy to get back on its feet in the wake of Covid-19. In recent weeks, Rishi Sunak, the Chancellor of the Exchequer, has gone […]
Graphenes innovation could give UK economy a positive charge
This week, The University of Manchester is hosting a Graphene Industry Showcase. Ahead of this Dr Craig Dawson – Application Manager at the Graphene Engineering Innovation Centre shines a light on how, as the UK looks to build a globally leading carbon neutral economy, The University of Manchester is providing an innovation flagship for energy […]
Innovation: why we need to fail more often, in order to succeed
In this blog James Baker, Chief Executive Officer of Graphene@Manchester, explores the UK approach to innovation and finding the next ‘Big Thing’ to stay competitive at a global level. North America continue to produce a succession pioneers who have delivered innovation through highly disruptive products and services. The UK approach to innovation is different with […]
Innovation on the frontline: rebuilding bodies with ‘Bone Bricks’
In this blog a team from the School of Mechanical, Aerospace and Civil Engineering at The University of Manchester introduce their innovative pilot project ‘Bone Bricks’ which demonstrates how advanced materials can play a key part in providing solutions to global challenges. The Bone Bricks pilot project was born, seeking a solution to the kinds […]
We’re only scratching the surface: why surface engineering matters, to our city, and beyond
In this blog, Professor Allan Matthews highlights the importance of surface engineering in the development and sustainability of materials and sets out why surface engineering should remain part of the conversation in order to position Greater Manchester as a global leader in materials innovation. Surface engineering modifies the surface of what lies beneath, to make it […]
We need an ‘Internet of Materials’ to get from lab to market faster
In this blog Professor Phil Withers, Chief Scientist at the Henry Royce Institute calls for an ‘Internet of Materials’ to help the UK to innovate faster, smarter and with a more competitive edge. A new material or process can utterly transform a sector, or even our lifestyle. Failing fast in the lab and learning quickly […]
Learning from nature: a sustainable bio-based future?
Dr Kirk J Malone is Director of Commercialisation at the Manchester Institute of Biotechnology. In this blog he looks to nature as part of a wider rethink into how we produce, process and recycle materials. • There needs to be a fundamental rethink in the way we manufacture and dispose of materials. • One of […]