Ahead of the 2019 Party Conference season, James Baker – Chief Executive Officer of Graphene@Manchester reflects on ‘where next’ for the wonder material graphene and whether this is actually just the start for a game changing family of 2D materials. A whole new family of graphene-inspired materials could soon transform how we make and build […]
Advanced materials and electricity: the power to help save the world?
In this blog, Dr Richard Fields looks at the need to be creative in developing transformative technologies such as advancements in battery life, in order to stave off an environmental disaster and ultimately safeguard humanity’s survival. • The cost of batteries has fallen faster than even the most optimistic forecasts, which means the future for […]
Biomaterials: how can we get from the lab to the patient sooner, and more easily?
Sarah Cartmell is a Professor of Bioengineering at The University of Manchester and is currently Head of the Department of Materials which is home to nearly 2,000 students and staff. In this blog, Sarah explores why it can take so long for biomaterials to get from the laboratory to being used by patients and highlights […]
Science, industry, and government must pull together to solve our plastic addiction
Mike Shaver is currently Professor of Polymer Science at the University of Manchester in the School of Materials. In this article Mike explores how we should be viewing the use of plastic and also how we can avoid the potential environmental problems from plastic alternatives. Sustainable alternatives to plastic need thoughtful analysis of the whole […]
Women in environmental sciences
Dr Cecilia Medupin is a Lecturer in the School of Earth and Environmental Sciences, at The University of Manchester and convener of Women in Environmental Sciences group. On Ada Lovelace day, Cecilia gives her eight-point plan for how to tackle inequality for women in environmental science. Including: It is essential to create a platform, or […]
Why engineering in the UK must embrace change
2018 is the Year of Engineering, a UK Government campaign to increase awareness and understanding of what engineers do amongst young people. The reason for the drive is that despite demand, good career opportunities and higher than average earnings, industry struggles to recruit and retain the talent it needs. Many young people, especially women and […]
Reducing Plastic Use in Food Packaging with Innovative New Materials
Finding ways to reduce the amount of plastic used in food packaging, while still ensuring products are protected and kept fresh, is an increasingly important challenge. James Baker, Chief Executive Officer of Graphene@Manchester, explains how the answer could lie in the use of novel 2D materials. Changes in consumer perception and behaviour relating to plastic […]
Rethinking public engagement with health
Public engagement with health research and science is an issue of growing public importance. With a worrying trend towards ‘anti-science’ perspectives resulting in serious outbreaks of preventable disease, it is essential to consider bringing the wider public into the consultation and communication of health research and knowledge. Here, Sheena Cruickshank, Lamiece Hassan, and Emily Dawson […]
Electric Vehicles: The Future is Light
In this blog James Baker, the newly announced Chief Executive Officer of Graphene@Manchester, explains what’s driving demand for lightweight 2D materials for use in batteries and other components. The growth in both the demand and supply for electric vehicles is creating new opportunities and challenges for manufacturers in the UK. Heavier electric vehicles are driving […]