09 July 2012

Strong media response at the end of pilot-phase of Graphene-flagship project

The pilot project "Graphene-CA", funded by the European Commission, successfully finished and has attracted an immediate and strong media attention. During the past 12 months a consortium consisting of nine European partners, including AMO GmbH as the only German partner, developed plans for the implementation and funding of a large-scaled research project in the field of Graphene, trying to bring it and related 2D-materials as well from the lab towards application within the next ten years.

Graphene, a single layer of Carbon atoms, may be the most amazing and versatile available substance. Stronger than diamond, yet lightweight and flexible, Graphene enables electrons to flow much faster than does Silicon. It is also a transparent conductor, combining electrical and optical functionalities in an exceptional way. Graphene can trigger a smart and sustainable Carbon revolution, with profound impact on information and communication technology (ICT) and everyday life. Its unique properties will spawn innovation on an unprecedented scale and scope for high-speed, transparent and flexible consumer electronics, novel information processing devices, biosensors, supercapacitors as alternatives to batteries, mechanical components, lightweight composites for cars and planes. The research effort of individual European research groups pioneered Graphene science and technology, but a coordinated European level approach is needed to secure a major role for the EU in this ongoing technological revolution. The ultimate goal of the Graphene flagship pilot project was to create a large, focused and interdisciplinary research community and to set up a corresponding framework to conduct such a large-scaled research project.

The final report was handed in to the European Commission in May and has already caused a great resonance throughout the media. Recent reports on Graphene and the Graphene flagship initiative can be found in the "Züricher SonntagsZeitung", the "Welt am Sonntag" as well as in the "Financial Times". 

More details on the Graphene flagship pilot and a shorter version of the final report can be found at:

www.graphene-flagship.eu.

More information on the EU Future Emerging Technology Flagship Initiative:

http://cordis.europa.eu/fp7/ict/programme/fet/flagship/home_en.html.

For details on Graphene, please contact Dr. Daniel Neumaier (phone: +49 241 8867 219).