2-DTech/Versarien (Graphene)
UNIVERSITY SPIN-OUT
14
Graphene was thought to be unstable in its
free form until it was isolated in 2004 by
researchers at the University. For this
achievement and their subsequent work Andre
Geim and Kostya Novoselov won the 2010
Nobel Prize in physics, and they are continuing
to unveil new and exciting properties in
Graphene with many applications in fast
electronic devices and sensors.
Andre (now Sir Andre) Geim came to
Manchester from Holland despite being offered
professorships at Nijmegen and Eindhoven.
Konstantin (now Sir Konstantin) Sergeevich
"Kostya" Novoselov undertook his PhD. studies
at the University of Nijmegen in the
Netherlands before moving to the University
with Andre Geim, his doctoral advisor in 2001.
The company is starting its own collaborative projects with
global players which include one which is developing
graphene "platelets" for use in composite materials and
applications in energy storage, and another which involves
developing a complete device. 2-DTech demonstrates the
importance of tacit knowledge in moving up the value
chain with breakthrough innovation. While the explicit
knowledge has travelled faster and further than the tacit
knowledge, it will be the latter that leads to successful
development and application. This shows the importance
of proximity to the research from which the company has
been and will continue to be able to benefit.
www.2-dtech.com
