WIREDGOV

The Chancellor has welcomed plans for a potential major new National Institute for Materials Research & Innovation.  Central to the plan is the opportunity to build on the north’s expertise in materials science – the development of super lightweight, strong & flexible materials that have applications across a range of industries.

Recent breakthroughs include safer nuclear fuels that can operate at high temperatures helping to prevent nuclear disasters such as Fukushima; a super strong steel replacement that can operate at extreme pressure allowing access to hard to reach oil & gas reserves; and biodegradable implants that dissolve safely in the body for use in reconstruction surgery – particularly for burns and cleft lip and palate treatment – vastly improving results and reducing discomfort.

The Chancellor also announced that The University of Manchester is to build a £60m Graphene Engineering Innovation Centre (GEIC), which will complement and build on the UK National Graphene Institute, also located at The University of Manchester and which is nearing completion.

• Northern Powerhouse science plans set out by Chancellor - proposals for a potential major new National Institute for Materials Research and Innovation welcomed
• £60m of public & private investment for new leading-edge graphene research facility
• Future of fast computer chips could be in graphene and not silicon says new research
• Commission announces huge new influx of partners to the Graphene Flagship project
• New step towards 'wonder material' graphene applications