Graphene & 2D Materials: Sustainability and The Drive Towards Net-Zero with James Baker

Join James Baker, the CEO of Graphene and leading expert in the field, for an exclusive master class that will explore the latest advancements and applications of Graphene technology.

Graphene – originally isolated at The University of Manchester, the global ‘home of graphene’ – has the potential to deliver transformational technologies.

Advances in graphene technology have historically been driven by 'materials push' – that is, fundamental science ahead of commercialisation. But that push has now transitioned into 'market pull', with an opportunity for both graphene and other 2D materials to support the drive towards more sustainable products and applications.

Graphene is now a key potential component in a number of applications, improving both the performance and sustainability profile of products. New materials and material application provide a pathway to an enhanced and more sustainable future, but how do we navigate the road ahead – this session will provide some real examples and case studies of the progress in both sustainable graphene production (and decarbonisation) as well as the progress towards products and applications in support of the drive towards net-zero

Key Parts of the session:

• Background of the discovery of Graphene in Manchester in 2004.
• The “Manchester Model” of Innovation.
• What is the potential for graphene (and in support of sustainability).
• Where are we now and real case studies?
• Activities/partnership in UAE and latest developments.

At the same time, James will explore the answer to some of the most common questions below:

• What do you think is the most commercially attractive opportunity for potential investors/industry in graphene for the UAE?
• Who are the key stakeholders in a selected application area? Who will benefit from graphene? Who might be threatened by it?
• What stage has the commercialisation of graphene reached in (selected) application area? What still needs to be done and what are the key uncertainties regarding commercialisation?
• How could the University of Manchester and UAE Alumni community /industry derive benefits from developments in this activity?

Graphene – originally isolated at The University of Manchester, the global ‘home of graphene’ – has the potential to deliver transformational technologies in many flagship areas like:

Water filtration and desalination – graphene and 2D materials are being applied to next generation filtration technologies to significantly boost their effectiveness and efficiency to help safeguard the world’s precious supply of drinking water.

Construction – graphene is helping to develop building materials that are much more sustainable and when applied at scale can expect to slash global CO2 emissions.

Energy storage – applications are being developed across the energy storage sector to produce more efficient batteries, with greater capacity and higher performance, and other energy storage systems vital to a circular ‘green economy’.

Lightweighting of materials – the use of graphene and 2D materials to take weight out of vehicles, as well as large structures and infrastructure, will also be a key to building a more sustainable future.

In this session, James Baker will discuss how we have built a unique model of innovation for advanced materials in Greater Manchester by successfully attracting regional, national and international investment.