Graphene Application Centre
A state-of-the-art facility helping companies bring their innovative graphene technologies to market.
![A photo of the Graphene Lab at the Graphene Application Centre A photo of the Graphene Lab at the Graphene Application Centre](https://optimise2.assets-servd.host/smart-hoopoe/production/content/images/graphene-lab-3.jpg?w=1920&h=1080&q=60&fm=jpg&fit=crop&dm=1559222075&s=f5c116ec5c7195f36a4b68e24b448876 1920w, https://optimise2.assets-servd.host/smart-hoopoe/production/content/images/graphene-lab-3.jpg?w=1120&h=630&q=60&fm=jpg&fit=crop&dm=1559222075&s=2ec2acb9de7d603082943006ac052080 1120w, https://optimise2.assets-servd.host/smart-hoopoe/production/content/images/graphene-lab-3.jpg?w=800&h=450&q=60&fm=jpg&fit=crop&dm=1559222075&s=4957a8504e023c33cea0f5c7d41c8554 800w, https://optimise2.assets-servd.host/smart-hoopoe/production/content/images/graphene-lab-3.jpg?w=1600&h=900&q=45&fm=jpg&fit=crop&dm=1559222075&s=4acd47b35ead2c2de4e519cd8ff012dd 1600w, https://optimise2.assets-servd.host/smart-hoopoe/production/content/images/graphene-lab-3.jpg?w=480&h=270&q=60&fm=jpg&fit=crop&dm=1559222075&s=75a787d2fe9dac919291b5373852953f 480w, https://optimise2.assets-servd.host/smart-hoopoe/production/content/images/graphene-lab-3.jpg?w=960&h=540&q=45&fm=jpg&fit=crop&dm=1559222075&s=48dd97ace61b88986df520166a28dc82 960w)
Commercialising graphene technologies
CPI’s Graphene Application Centre provides the equipment and expertise that companies need in order to bring innovative graphene technologies to market. The £14m facility is closely linked to the National Formulation Centre and the National Printable Electronics Centre. It brings together the whole innovation value chain for new and innovative graphene-based technologies, and helps spur growth in the UK graphene industry.
![A photo of graphene in liquid form A photo of graphene in liquid form](https://optimise2.assets-servd.host/smart-hoopoe/production/content/images/graphene-lab-2.jpg?w=1920&h=1080&q=60&fm=jpg&fit=crop&dm=1559222323&s=6d73d7d5d7fa2d9db21f2f893887f3bd 1920w, https://optimise2.assets-servd.host/smart-hoopoe/production/content/images/graphene-lab-2.jpg?w=1120&h=630&q=60&fm=jpg&fit=crop&dm=1559222323&s=1d9a1465036f903b0a7cf0cefd8c00b0 1120w, https://optimise2.assets-servd.host/smart-hoopoe/production/content/images/graphene-lab-2.jpg?w=800&h=450&q=60&fm=jpg&fit=crop&dm=1559222323&s=d874193870c9ea4b268e77135e35ba5d 800w, https://optimise2.assets-servd.host/smart-hoopoe/production/content/images/graphene-lab-2.jpg?w=1600&h=900&q=45&fm=jpg&fit=crop&dm=1559222323&s=564f6c92c2366c18257850856be71f9a 1600w, https://optimise2.assets-servd.host/smart-hoopoe/production/content/images/graphene-lab-2.jpg?w=480&h=270&q=60&fm=jpg&fit=crop&dm=1559222323&s=fbdc84df445f2d6c0179ce8d4e41a94f 480w, https://optimise2.assets-servd.host/smart-hoopoe/production/content/images/graphene-lab-2.jpg?w=960&h=540&q=45&fm=jpg&fit=crop&dm=1559222323&s=33b34e30b6109e61a94544e8556bca79 960w)
An innovative material with novel applications
Graphene, a single-layered hexagonal lattice of carbon atoms, was first isolated in Manchester in 2004. Its mechanical strength, optical purity and electrical and thermal conductivity make it a candidate for a great number of interesting applications, including ultrafast transistors, flexible screens and lightweight aircraft wings. However, because it is difficult to produce and work with, incorporating the incredible properties of graphene into working commercial products remains challenging. Researchers and product developers require access to dedicated facilities that enable them to build the business case for using graphene-enabled materials in their innovative products.
![A member of staff working in the Graphene Application Centre A member of staff working in the Graphene Application Centre](https://optimise2.assets-servd.host/smart-hoopoe/production/content/images/CPI-Final-19.jpg?w=1920&h=1080&q=60&fm=jpg&fit=crop&dm=1559221083&s=eb9382b6a3d5aedce408af36110d6333 1920w, https://optimise2.assets-servd.host/smart-hoopoe/production/content/images/CPI-Final-19.jpg?w=1120&h=630&q=60&fm=jpg&fit=crop&dm=1559221083&s=a70b3dc442790f32fe51571f8074f157 1120w, https://optimise2.assets-servd.host/smart-hoopoe/production/content/images/CPI-Final-19.jpg?w=800&h=450&q=60&fm=jpg&fit=crop&dm=1559221083&s=06c27c0789b5921a4bdb05bca0007587 800w, https://optimise2.assets-servd.host/smart-hoopoe/production/content/images/CPI-Final-19.jpg?w=1600&h=900&q=45&fm=jpg&fit=crop&dm=1559221083&s=d2c59f94509f7ddb91455466845c1650 1600w, https://optimise2.assets-servd.host/smart-hoopoe/production/content/images/CPI-Final-19.jpg?w=480&h=270&q=60&fm=jpg&fit=crop&dm=1559221083&s=8b271a9483b7ea99b2277ec6f23d26d3 480w, https://optimise2.assets-servd.host/smart-hoopoe/production/content/images/CPI-Final-19.jpg?w=960&h=540&q=45&fm=jpg&fit=crop&dm=1559221083&s=2d31f34b97c65a6453a847613f04ce53 960w)
Unlocking potential
The Graphene Application Centre specialises in characterising and manufacturing graphene at a significant scale via a variety of different process routes. Our techniques focus on the safe-handling, optimised dispersion and structuring of graphene into liquids and polymer substrates, and their application into prototype products – all supported by characterisation and application testing.
The facility’s strong links to CPI’s other National Centres help foster cross-sector knowledge and collaboration across the supply chain. Although significant challenges remain to consistently deliver the novel properties of graphene into consumer products, the Graphene Application Centre is constantly developing its capabilities to help bring graphene-based innovations to market sooner.