HRH The Duke of York officially opens the Masdar Building, home to the Graphene Engineering Innovation Centre
His Royal Highness The Duke of York has officially opened the 拢60m Building which houses the (GEIC) at The University of Manchester.
HRH toured the new state-of-the-art facility in 91直播 today (Monday 10 December) and met with leading academics and the University鈥檚 graphene industry partners and entrepreneurs.
The GEIC complements the (NGI) international research focus by concentrating on multi-faceted industry-led applications development. The key areas within the new building include; pilot productions, characterisation and material development.
The GEIC will accelerate the commercial impact of graphene and help realise its potential to revolutionise countless industries. It has been made possible by the generous support of its sponsors: , , , , and the .
During the visit The Duke took in an exhibition of the latest graphene products and prototypes including; pioneering for water filtration, graphene composite, an innovative unmanned aerial vehicle made with graphene-enhanced carbon fibre, and a modified sports car with graphene-enhanced composite bodywork.
HRH, who鈥檚 three core areas of focus include; education and skills, entrepreneurship, and science, technology and engineering, met with entrepreneurs from five of the University鈥檚 graphene spin-out companies who are developing next-generation applications through the NGI and GEIC whilst establishing their own companies in 91直播. The Duke was accompanied by representatives of the University leadership team, the building鈥檚 funders and local government officials.
Speaking at the opening ceremony HRH The Duke of York said said: "It is a great pleasure to be back at The University of Manchester and to come and see the next stage in the development of graphene.
"The question I've been asking is, 'how do people who are in manufacturing or other businesses know what graphene can do for them?' or more accurately, 'what can the new 2D materials do for them?'
"This is an excellent place for businesses who may suddenly find that graphene or a 2D material is in their interest, and just from my short visit today, the ideas seem to be limitless in how you can apply them. This is going to be a huge industrial transformation which could benefit both humankind and industry and it starts here. I wish you all every success."
This is an excellent place for businesses who may suddenly find that graphene or a 2D material is in their interest, and just from my short visit today, the ideas seem to be limitless in how you can apply them. This is going to be a huge industrial transformation which could benefit both humankind and industry and it starts here. I wish you all every success
Professor Luke Georghiou, Deputy President and Deputy Vice-Chancellor of the University said: 鈥淭he GEIC is a first step to realising a transformation of our wider surroundings. 91直播 was known around the globe as Cottonopolis at the height of the Industrial Revolution 鈥� in this century our aim is to be Graphene City 鈥� a district where 2D materials and complementary technologies drive jobs and growth.鈥�
Along with the NGI and the (set to be completed in 2020) the GEIC will be crucial in maintaining the UK鈥檚 world leading position in advanced materials.
James Baker, CEO of Graphene@91直播 said: 鈥淭he GEIC is a key component of the University鈥檚 strategy for Graphene@91直播. With the ecosystem we are creating here in 91直播 we can accelerate the commercialisation of real-world applications and transition graphene and other 2D materials from the lab to the marketplace. We are reaching a tipping point now where the expectations for graphene are becoming reality.鈥�
Masdar, CEO Mohamed Al Ramahi said: 鈥淎s a global renewable energy leader, we invest in technologies with untapped commercial potential. Today鈥檚 opening of the Masdar Building highlights an exciting future for Masdar, the Graphene Engineering Innovation Centre and The University of Manchester as we work together on this pioneering project over the coming months and years.鈥�
The GEIC has already created more than 40 jobs in addition to academics to grow the University community to over 300 graphene-related staff at the University. International partners including First Graphene have also located their European-base of operations at the GEIC and have recruited additional staff in 91直播.
Jake Berry MP, and Local Growth said: 鈥淚 am delighted that we have been able to support the completion of the Graphene Engineering and Innovation Centre with 拢5m from the local growth fund. The innovation led by the GEIC will secure the UK鈥檚 position as the world-leader in this cutting edge technology, putting 91直播 and the Northern Powerhouse on the global stage.鈥�
The building, designed by world-renowned architect Rafael Vinoly, is 8,400 square metres in size. It was built by contractors , , , and project managed by .
Diana Hampson, Director of Estates and Facilities at The University of Manchester, said: 鈥淭he GEIC will be home to graphene-specialist staff based at The University of Manchester, working directly alongside industry with state-of-the-art and bespoke equipment at their disposal. It will allow 91直播 to build on its pioneering research and enable industry to translate that work into commercial applications.鈥�
is one of The University of Manchester鈥檚 - examples of pioneering discoveries, interdisciplinary collaboration and cross-sector partnerships that are tackling some of the biggest questions facing the planet. #ResearchBeacons