University of Manchester

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.

Researchers at The University of Manchester’s National Graphene Institute have introduced a new class of reconfigurable intelligent surfaces capable of dynamically shaping terahertz (THz) and millimeter (mm) waves. This development overcomes long-standing technological barriers and could pave the way for next-generation 6G wireless technologies and non-invasive imaging systems.

a) Schematic of the pixel structure, comprising laminated layers including a graphene top electrode, an electrolyte layer, and a back pixel electrode. b) Photograph of the fabricated device consisting of an active-matrix array of 640 × 480 pixels. A binary voltage pattern (VDH, VDL) is produced by a chip-on-glass display driver controlled by an external microcontroller. Image from: Nature Communications 

The breakthrough centers around an active spatial light modulator, a surface with more than 300,000 sub-wavelength pixels capable of manipulating THz light in both transmission and reflection. Unlike previous modulators, which were limited to small-scale demonstrations, the Manchester team integrated graphene-based THz modulators with large-area thin-film transistor (TFT) arrays, enabling high-speed, programmable control over the amplitude and phase of THz light across expansive areas.

SmartIR, a University of Manchester spinout, has announced that graphene-based adaptive radiator has launched aboard SpaceX’s Falcon 9 Transporter-12 as part of Mission 2, a collaboration with Hydra Space and Alba Orbital.

This mission addresses a critical challenge in the space sector: the need for cost-effective thermal management solutions. Current low-orbit satellites often rely on heaters, which increase power consumption, while long-orbit satellites utilize heavy and bulky systems such as thermal louvres. SmartIR’s graphene-based radiator offers a solution to this problem, enabling satellites to flexibly manage thermal energy. The technology fully vents heat from all surfaces when in Earth’s shadow and selectively shields only the side exposed to the sun during orbit.