UK program explores graphene uses

The University of Cambridge’s Graphene Centre and Plastic Logic are working on a programme that aims to exploit graphene-related two-dimensional materials and hybrid systems in flexible, plastic electronics - a field in which the UK already enjoys a world-leading position.

The agreement brings together two nerve-centres of technology research in Cambridge. Plastic Logic, founded in 2000, is a spin-off company from the University’s Cavendish Research Laboratory, and develops and manufactures colour and monchrome plastic, flexible displays. The market for these devices is expected to be worth $40 billion  by 2020.

The Cambridge Graphene Centre was established earlier this year to captalise on the University’s ground-breaking research into the new material of the same name as well as a large class of related layered materials and hybrids.

Graphene is a one atom-thick layer of graphite with remarkable potential to enable significant technological advances. The research of the Centre aims to find ways of manufacturing and optimising graphene and related materials so that this promise can become reality.

Plastic Logic has donated large-scale equipment to the Centre to support the progression of new developments in graphene research. The research programme itself will investigate the development of graphene as a transparent, conductive layer within flexible displays, and of novel transistor structures using layered materials, which promise to significantly improve the performance of flexible electronics.