University of Manchester

University of Manchester researchers have shown that electrons in ultra-clean graphene can be steered with high precision while keeping their spin information intact, a key requirement for future low power electronics and quantum devices.

The team demonstrates how electrons can travel ballistically, i.e. without experiencing any scattering or resistance, over micrometer distances in graphene at low temperature and maintain spin coherence all the way up to room temperature. By using a technique known as transverse magnetic focusing (TMF), they were able to bend electron trajectories like light rays traversing a lens and show that these curved paths carry a clear spin signature.

INBRAIN Neuroelectronics has announced that it has completed patient recruitment in its first-in-human study evaluating its graphene cortical interface. A total of ten patients were recruited into its first-in-human study, and eight patients were treated surgically, with no perioperative device failure observed during use. Complete datasets were obtained from eight patients.

The study (NCT06368310), sponsored by the University of Manchester and conducted with Northern Care Alliance NHS Foundation Trust, evaluated INBRAIN’s graphene-based cortical interface during neurosurgical procedures for brain tumor resection. The primary objective was to assess safety, with secondary objectives focused on signal quality, stability, stimulation capability, and suitability for intraoperative use with standard surgical tooling and recording equipment.

Researchers at The University of Manchester, working with the UK’s National Physical Laboratory (NPL) and 15 international partners, have developed a new protocol, using transmission electron microscopy (TEM), which is meant to underpin a new ISO technical specification for graphene.

The results of the large interlaboratory selected area electron diffraction (SAED) comparison study, where the collaborating laboratories measured and analyzed nominally identical samples of chemical vapor deposited (CVD) graphene, were recently presented. Large variations were observed in the measured ratios of diffraction spot intensities, with the largest variance associated with poor quality SAED data resulting from poor specimen handling and storage. To inform the reliable determination of monolayer thickness from SAED patterns, the team provided a description of best practice for specimen handling, TEM operation, data collection and analysis. The results of this work have been directly incorporated into ISO/TS 21356-2 for the characterization of graphene sheets. 

Saint-Gobain UK & Ireland has announced a new strategic partnership with Vector Labs (the technology division of Vector Group, based at the Graphene Engineering Innovation Centre in Manchester). The partnership will explore how advanced materials, including graphene, can be integrated into construction products to improve performance and reduce environmental impact.

This partnership, led by Saint-Gobain UK & Ireland, brings together expertise from across Saint-Gobain, including its External Ventures team and the Saint-Gobain brands British Gypsum & Isover, and scientists at Vector Labs. The new strategic partnership will aim to leverage the power of nano-materials, such as graphene, to deliver significant improvements in the functionality and performance of Saint-Gobain’s construction products.

A research team, led by Daniil Gorbachev and Na Xin at the University of Manchester and working with colleagues including Kenji Watanabe and Takashi Taniguchi, demonstrated a major improvement in graphene’s electronic properties by strategically positioning graphite gates in extremely close proximity to the material. 

This innovative approach, which involves placing the gates just one nanometer away, dramatically reduces charge variations and potential fluctuations, ultimately boosting graphene’s mobility to exceed even the highest-quality semiconductor heterostructures. The resulting material exhibits exceptional performance, enabling the observation of subtle quantum phenomena previously hidden by disorder and paving the way for a new era in two-dimensional materials research.

According to reports, a novel concrete formulation, CoMLaG, developed through collaboration between the Graphene Engineering Innovation Centre (GEIC), Cemex UK, Galliford Try, Sika, and Northumbrian Water, was recently laid on site, delivering a major milestone in efforts to decarbonize construction materials.

The project culminated in the successful pour of 15m³ of graphene and micronized lime-enhanced concrete at a Northumbrian Water wastewater treatment facility. This mix achieved up to 49% reduction in CO₂ emissions per cubic meter compared to traditional CEM I concrete, while maintaining comparable compressive strength performance.

INBRAIN Neuroelectronics has announced the interim analysis of findings from the world’s first-in-human clinical study of its graphene-based brain-computer interface (BCI) technology. The study, sponsored by the University of Manchester and conducted at the Manchester Centre for Clinical Neurosciences (Northern Care Alliance NHS Foundation Trust), is evaluating the safety and functional performance of graphene-based electrodes when used during surgery for resection of brain tumors.

The primary objective of the study (NCT06368310) is to assess the safety of INBRAIN’s brain-computer interface (BCI) during brain tumor surgery. Secondary objectives include evaluating the quality of neural signals captured by the device, its ability to deliver targeted brain stimulation, the consistency of its performance throughout the procedure, and its overall suitability for use in the neurosurgical operating room. A total of 8 to 10 patients are expected to be enrolled to validate the safety and functional performance of the graphene-based BCI. The study design included an interim analysis after the first four patients had been recruited to ensure patient safety and data quality.

Researchers at the University of Manchester's National Graphene Institute, in collaboration with medical technology company T. J. Smith and Nephew Limited, have developed a new type of antimicrobial coating that could improve hygiene across healthcare, consumer, and industrial products. 

Silver has long been used to fight bacteria, particularly in wound care, because of its ability to release ions that damage bacterial cells. But current approaches suffer from several downsides: silver can be released too quickly or unevenly, it may damage surrounding healthy tissue, and it's often used in quantities that aren’t sustainable. The team tackled these issues by designing a graphene oxide-based membrane that can release silver ions slowly and precisely over time. The key lies in the structure of the membrane itself, its nanoscale channels act like filters, regulating how much silver is released.

Researchers from the University of Technology Sydney, the University of Manchester, Australian Synchrotron, Swinburne University of Technology and Australian National University have developed a new method to improve the lifespan of zinc-ion batteries that offer an alternative to lithium-ion technology for grid-scale storage.

The team focused on the cooperative Jahn-Teller effect, a phenomena that induces asymmetry in individual ions and solid-state lattices and are commonly observed in structures containing specific transition metals, such as copper and manganese. The scientists designed a two-dimensional (2D) manganese-oxide/graphene “superlattice” that triggers a unique lattice-wide strain mechanism. That strain helps the cathode resist breakdown during repeated cycling.

The EU-funded AQUASOL project aims to address global water scarcity through renewable energy-powered desalination. Desalination of seawater and brackish water is one of the essential solutions to the increasing global challenge of water scarcity. Yet, widespread deployment of desalination technologies remains limited due to high upfront costs and intensive energy requirements. Moreover, current desalination systems use fossil fuels contributing to greenhouse gas emissions.

To address these challenges, the AQUASOL project brings together a multidisciplinary team of seven partners from six countries to explore and develop innovative solutions to facilitate green transition in desalination processes. To achieve this, the consortium will develop a technological platform that will enable the integration of renewable energy sources into desalination technologies and provide disruptive solutions for seawater and wastewater treatment.