AstrotalkUK

Not for profit podcast. Astronomy, Deep Space Exploration and International Collaboration

Episode 127: Weaving with Graphene. Vivek Koncherry

By Leave a Comment

One of the many success stories coming out of the Graphene Engineering and Innovations Centre at the University of Manchester is the story of Dr Vivek Koncherry and his business, Graphene Innovations Manchester. He arrived in Manchester in 2001 to study Textile Technology and completed his undergraduate studies and PhD in Manchester, with his doctoral research sponsored by Bentley Motors.

Dr Vivek Koncherry. His prize-winning design for space habitats

To date, his projects include sustainable cement-free concrete, hydrogen tanks, graphene-based cooling liquid for data centres and space-based human-rated habitats.

Originally from the Indian state of Kerala, he now maintains a global presence, living in Dubai, Saudi Arabia, Miami and Manchester.

Today, his company, Graphene Innovations Manchester, is raising £250 million to devlop industrial-scale plants equipped with AI Robotics and automated weaving machines to coat carbon fibres with nanomaterials continuously. These materials will then be used for real-world applications.

A sort of Back to the Future – a twenty-first-century equivalent of the 18th-century weaving cottage industries that kick-started the industrial revolution in Manchester.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 38:12 — 30.6MB) | Embed

Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | RSS | More

Episode 126: Graphene: From scientific discovery to commercial application

By Leave a Comment

Professor James Baker

Professor James Baker, CEO of Graphene@Manchester, describes Manchester’s journey to commercialise the Nobel Prize-winning discovery of Graphene.

In this conversation, recorded at the University of Manchester Graphene Engineering and Innovation Centre, Professor Baker explains the steps Manchester (the City and the University, with support from central government and foreign investors) is taking to nurture startups, SMEs and established industries in developing a commercial ecosystem centred on the applications of Graphene. He describes the unique role of the UoM, the National Graphene Institute and the GEIC.

Some of the discussion points include

The following summary repeats the emphasis points you requested, condensing each into approximately a 10-word sentence, supported by comprehensive citations from the source material:

  • Graphene was isolated in Manchester in 2004, and its discovery won the Nobel Prize in Physics.
  • Manchester continues its history of innovation, fulfilling the “discovered in Britain” vision.
  • Extraordinary properties (e.g., 200 times stronger than steel) drive an industry “pull” philosophy.
  • Commercial applications include batteries, sensors, coatings, composites, and sustainable construction materials.
  • The National Graphene Institute (NGI) focuses on accelerating fundamental 2D material science with low Technology Readiness Level (TRL).
  • The GEIC is “industry-led but academic-fed,” accelerating high TRL commercialisation with know-how.
  • The Manchester Model (NGI/GEIC) helps companies navigate and accelerate through the “valley of death”.
  • The GEIC has fostered over 70 startups, many of which are now scaling up and opening factories.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 1:11:52 — 58.7MB) | Embed

Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | RSS | More