Issue link: https://htpgraphics.uberflip.com/i/433487
Who is Versarien? Versarien is an advanced materials and manufacturing company which has specialised in commercialising technology from universities through to full manufacture and marketing. It was founded in 2010 and has already has a number of technologies on the market. It has grown by acquisition and the purchase of a majority stake was attractive to both the University and the company. For the University it has extended the reach of its research expertise more completely to market application and for the company it has provided the ideal platform for it to apply its core expertise in the application of advanced materials and scale-up manufacture to Graphene. It has already identified collaborative projects to pursue with the University. The next steps Manchester is now developing a programme to provide the essential core of a skilled workforce with a core of researchers co-located with companies investing in applications. At the heart of this is the National Graphene Institute, due for completion spring 2015, close to the University but in a dedicated facility. 2-DTech and its ability to provide early stage translational services through a seamless relationship with the continuing research at the University is an essential element of how the University and Manchester will achieve traction from a new discovery. Another key to Manchester's lead in Graphene- based innovation is its ability to combine Graphene in "sandwiches" with other materials to tune the combination for different applications, ensuring that applications are "more than just Graphene." It now has a major collaboration with Bluestone. 2-DTech's unique positioning is its range of services, which cannot only characterise Graphene but also either manufacture or advise on methods of its scale-up manufacture to fit it for different applications based on a sound scientific platform. Consistent with its relationship with the University, it can provide robust objective advice on whether or not the use of Graphene is actually suitable for any particular application. This ability is the jewel in the crown for successful commercialisation. 15