Manchester demonstrates international attraction of graphene as US graphene startup Bluestone Global Research announces its first European base.
Bluestone Global Research, a New York-based startup specialising in commercialising graphene technologies, has unveiled plans to open its European production plant at the University of Manchester.
The partnership with Manchester, which first isolated graphene in 2004, promises to bring new jobs to the area as well as adding to the university’s growing graphene tech cluster. Bluestone will join Manchester graphene spin-outs 2D-Tech and Graphene Industries in the area, ahead of the planned opening of the £61m ($95m) National Graphene Institute, due to open in 2015.
Graphene research projects which Bluestone will be involved in include plasmonics, supercapacitors, and graphene oxide membranes.
Colin Bailey, vice-president and dean of Manchester’s Faculty of Engineering and Physical Sciences, said: “We are delighted that Bluestone has chosen to base themselves at The University of Manchester. It’s clear that their decision is based on the wealth of knowledge we have at the University, with more than 100 scientists and engineers working on graphene and 2D materials. This partnership will help in the commercialisation of graphene creating further jobs in Manchester which will be of benefit to the UK economy.”
