[{"command":"openDialog","selector":"#drupal-modal","settings":null,"data":"\u003Cdiv id=\u0022republish_modal_form\u0022\u003E\u003Cform class=\u0022modal-form-example-modal-form ecl-form\u0022 data-drupal-selector=\u0022modal-form-example-modal-form\u0022 action=\u0022\/en\/article\/modal\/12020\u0022 method=\u0022post\u0022 id=\u0022modal-form-example-modal-form\u0022 accept-charset=\u0022UTF-8\u0022\u003E\u003Cp\u003EHorizon articles can be republished for free under the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International (CC BY 4.0) licence.\u003C\/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp\u003EYou must give appropriate credit. We ask you to do this by:\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n      1) Using the original journalist\u0027s byline\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n      2) Linking back to our original story\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n      3) Using the following text in the footer: This article was originally published in \u003Ca href=\u0027#\u0027\u003EHorizon, the EU Research and Innovation magazine\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp\u003ESee our full republication guidelines \u003Ca href=\u0027\/horizon-magazine\/republish-our-stories\u0027\u003Ehere\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp\u003EHTML for this article, including the attribution and page view counter, is below:\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\u0022js-form-item form-item js-form-type-textarea form-item-body-content js-form-item-body-content ecl-form-group ecl-form-group--text-area form-no-label ecl-u-mv-m\u0022\u003E\n        \n\u003Cdiv\u003E\n  \u003Ctextarea data-drupal-selector=\u0022edit-body-content\u0022 aria-describedby=\u0022edit-body-content--description\u0022 id=\u0022edit-body-content\u0022 name=\u0022body_content\u0022 rows=\u00225\u0022 cols=\u002260\u0022 class=\u0022form-textarea ecl-text-area\u0022\u003E\u003Ch2\u003EMiracle material enters the limelight with European help\u003C\/h2\u003E\u003Cp\u003EFirst isolated in 2004 by future Nobel Prize Laureates, researchers Andre Geim and Konstantin Novoselov at the University of Manchester, this new material made from a single layer of carbon atoms immediately raised the interest of the scientific world with its exceptional properties.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EStrong, light, flexible and able to conduct both heat and electricity, graphene had numerous potential applications, including in advanced electronics, batteries, high-performance composite materials, and innovative medical devices and sensors. The Graphene Flagship project, a 10-year EU-funded initiative launched in 2013, has been at the forefront of driving the development of graphene-based technologies and encouraging collaboration between academia and industry.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EInvolving over 178 academic and industrial research partners, it was one of\u0026nbsp;four long-term, large-scale collaborative research and innovation efforts organised by the EU as part of its Future and Emerging Technologies (FET) programme designed to\u0026nbsp;support early-stage collaborative research into game-changing new technologies. The other three were the Human Brain Project, the Quantum Technologies Flagship and Battery2030+.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EGraphene Flagship\u2019s goal was to create new technologies based on graphene and other related 2D materials and to make sure that these new technologies moved from the laboratory to society in the form of new products, companies and employment opportunities.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EIt has helped to make Europe an international leader in the field of graphene and layered materials, created a strong collaborative community, as well as pioneering standards in safety regulations and production policies.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EProfessor Patrik Johansson, director of the Graphene Flagship, answers Horizon Magazine\u2019s questions about the uniqueness of graphene, how far it has come in the past 10 years and what lies ahead.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EWhat is so special about graphene?\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EGraphene is both simple and beautiful. It is the world\u2019s thinnest material \u2013 it is a one-atom-thick layer of carbon, one million times thinner than a human hair. At the same time, it is very strong, stronger than both steel and diamond.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EGraphene is also very flexible and a great conductor of electricity and heat. And, of course, graphene is light \u2013 it is just a layer of carbon atoms!\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EAll the above combined in a single material is truly unique, and this is why we see such an enormous potential in so many vastly different market sectors.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EHow far have we come in bringing graphene out of the lab and into society?\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EGraphene has come a very long way, considering that it was just isolated 20 years ago. Graphene is today produced in commercial quantities and actively used in a range of composite materials for applications ranging from sports equipment to cars and planes, as well as in oil and water pipelines.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EApplications in electronics, batteries, water and air purification filters, biomedical and other types of sensors are also in, or very close to, market. The\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/graphene-flagship.eu\/materials\/news\/global-graphene-market-will-continue-to-grow-researchers-find\/\u0022\u003Eglobal graphene market\u003C\/a\u003E reached an estimated annual revenue of $380 million (\u20ac350 million) in 2022 and is expected to grow to $1.5 billion (\u20ac1.38 billion) by 2027.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EIn which areas are graphene and other 2D materials making the most contribution to European innovation and competitiveness?\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EGraphene and other 2D materials promise to revolutionise applications in many of Europe\u2019s key industries. Taking just one example, leading Graphene Flagship partners such as Airbus, Lufthansa and Leonardo have demonstrated the possibilities of graphene and 2D materials in aeronautics. Graphene is already being used in composite materials that make planes lighter and stronger.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EOur researchers have also developed prototypes of graphene air filters capable of removing impurities more effectively than HEPA filters and electrically conductive composites that can keep aircraft ice-free.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cblockquote class=\u0022tw-text-center tw-text-blue tw-font-bold tw-text-2xl lg:tw-w-1\/2 tw-border-2 tw-border-blue tw-p-12 tw-my-8 lg:tw-m-12 lg:tw--ml-16 tw-float-left\u0022\u003E\n  \u003Cspan class=\u0022tw-text-5xl tw-rotate-180\u0022\u003E\u201c\u003C\/span\u003E\n  \u003Cp class=\u0022tw-font-serif tw-italic\u0022\u003EGraphene is not just one material, but rather a family of materials.\u003C\/p\u003E\n  \u003Cfooter\u003E\n    \u003Ccite class=\u0022tw-not-italic tw-font-normal tw-text-sm tw-text-black\u0022\u003EProfessor Patrik Johansson, Graphene Flagship\u003C\/cite\u003E\n  \u003C\/footer\u003E\n\u003C\/blockquote\u003E\n\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EAnother perspective is that graphene is poised to revolutionise the semiconductor industry by improving the performance of traditional silicon wafers.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EEuropean progress in this field could help reduce Europe\u2019s reliance on foreign supplies of scarce and environmentally unfriendly materials \u2013 a more secure Europe in the end.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EWhat role can 2D materials play in advancing Europe\u2019s goals on sustainability?\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E2D materials can support sustainability goals both through promoting better use of raw materials, as well as by contributing to the harvesting, conversion and storage of renewable energies. They will help make technology more environment friendly.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EGraphene\u2019s electrical conductivity makes it a suitable replacement for certain scarce raw materials and \u2013 by eliminating copper wiring in electronics and electronic components in cars and planes \u2013 it will help make these products easier to recycle.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EGraphene Flagship researchers have demonstrated that graphene-enhanced solar panels offer improved efficiency and durability. Graphene can also help produce longer lasting and more efficient batteries for electric cars and other applications. Point-of-use water filters made with graphene are able to filter out even emerging contaminants, which are increasingly present in European water sources.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003ENot to mention that graphene itself can be made from the carbon in waste products like old car tyres and organic waste matter, making it an ideal product for a green circular economy.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EHow safe are these new materials?\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EHealth and safety have been a key concern for the Graphene Flagship since its inception, with a specialised work group handling this aspect from the very start.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EDue to the different production methods involved and the various forms it can take, graphene is not just one material, but rather a family of materials.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EWhile more research needs to be conducted on the health effects of graphene, all the evidence collected so far suggests that graphene is not harmful to humans and is biodegradable within the human body.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EWe are also investigating the effects of graphene on the environment. The Graphene Flagship has collaborated with the European Commission\u2019s\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/echa.europa.eu\/regulations\/reach\/understanding-reach\u0022\u003EREACH\/ECHA\u003C\/a\u003E bodies to assess the material properties of graphene in all its forms and evaluate any health and safety or environmental issues associated with it.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EWhat are the main achievements of the first 10 years?\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EMerely bringing graphene out of the lab and into commercial applications in such a short window of time is a great feat. Beyond that, the Graphene Flagship has created a real ecosystem for graphene research and innovation in Europe.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThis also extends beyond the EU-funded partners of the Graphene Flagship. Our model, which includes associated members and partnering projects, has allowed us to include an even wider range of academic and industrial partners with whom to engage and collaborate. The long-term perspective and financial support received has been a crucial factor in facilitating this.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EWe have also been a remarkably good investment for Europe. For FET projects in general, the EU set a goal of generating 1 patent application per \u20ac10 million of funding. As of December 2023, the Graphene Flagship had reached 3.5 patent applications per \u20ac10 million.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EGraphene Flagship also very largely exceeded the target for scientific publications. An economic impact report from the independent\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.wifor.com\/en\/\u0022\u003EWifOR Institute\u003C\/a\u003E found that the Graphene Flagship will have contributed \u20ac3.8 billion in GDP to the European economy between 2014 and 2030 and helped to create 38\u0026nbsp;400 jobs in EU countries.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EWhat is unique about the Graphene Flagship?\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe Graphene Flagship is unique among EU-funded projects for both its size and longevity. By having a single project covering the full spectrum of research into graphene and other 2D materials, it was possible to share data among a wide range of partners and avoid overlap and redundancies.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cblockquote class=\u0022tw-text-center tw-text-blue tw-font-bold tw-text-2xl lg:tw-w-1\/2 tw-border-2 tw-border-blue tw-p-12 tw-my-8 lg:tw-m-12 lg:tw--ml-16 tw-float-left\u0022\u003E\n  \u003Cspan class=\u0022tw-text-5xl tw-rotate-180\u0022\u003E\u201c\u003C\/span\u003E\n  \u003Cp class=\u0022tw-font-serif tw-italic\u0022\u003EBringing graphene out of the lab and into commercial applications in such a short window of time is a great feat.\u003C\/p\u003E\n  \u003Cfooter\u003E\n    \u003Ccite class=\u0022tw-not-italic tw-font-normal tw-text-sm tw-text-black\u0022\u003EProfessor Patrik Johansson, Graphene Flagship\u003C\/cite\u003E\n  \u003C\/footer\u003E\n\u003C\/blockquote\u003E\n\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EImportantly, having our funding guaranteed for a longer period allowed our partners to engage in more ambitious work. The longer time frame helped to build a real community for graphene research and innovation in Europe and gave space for trust to grow between partners. This facilitated collaborations and knowledge sharing which ultimately yielded greater results.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EOver a period of 10 years we were also able to better assess the long-term impact of the project in a way that is not really possible with a typical three-year project.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EPatents, for example, can take years to be approved and products need multiple iterations and safety checks before being ready for market. The Graphene Flagship had time to develop the technologies and to track their progress \u2013 ultimately with true benefit for European industry and society.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EWhat does the future hold for the Graphene Flagship and 2D materials?\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe Graphene Flagship now continues its journey in a new form under Horizon Europe. Under the umbrella of the Graphene Flagship, a budget of over \u20ac62 million is funding 12 ongoing research and innovation action projects working toward further advancements in the areas of energy, electronics and photonics, biomedical applications and composites, as well as on the development of new 2D materials.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EWe are also moving the\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/cordis.europa.eu\/project\/id\/952792\u0022\u003E2D-Experimental Pilot Line\u003C\/a\u003E (2D-EPL) \u2013 one of the Graphene Flagship projects \u2013 to the next level with a proposal for a real pilot line which will transform how 2D materials are brought to application in Europe.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EFurthermore, the\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/graphene-flagship.eu\/materials\/news\/innovative-materials-for-eu-partnership-confirmed\/\u0022\u003EInnovative Advanced Materials for Europe\u003C\/a\u003E partnership (IAM4EU),\u0026nbsp;drafted with input from both the Graphene Flagship community and the\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.ami2030.eu\/\u0022\u003EAdvanced Materials Initiative\u003C\/a\u003E (AMi2030), will now form a new\u0026nbsp;Public-Private Partnership (PPP) under the second strategic plan for \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/research-and-innovation.ec.europa.eu\/funding\/funding-opportunities\/funding-programmes-and-open-calls\/horizon-europe_en\u0022\u003EHorizon Europe\u003C\/a\u003E for 2025-2027.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThrough these ongoing developments, Graphene Flagship will continue to have an impact on Europe\u2019s green transition, the digital transition, and on building a more resilient, competitive, inclusive and democratic Europe.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cem\u003EThe views of the interviewee don\u2019t necessarily reflect those of the European Commission.\u003C\/em\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/textarea\u003E\n\u003C\/div\u003E\n\n            \u003Cdiv id=\u0022edit-body-content--description\u0022 class=\u0022ecl-help-block description\u0022\u003E\n      Please copy the above code and embed it onto your website to republish.\n    \u003C\/div\u003E\n  \u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cinput autocomplete=\u0022off\u0022 data-drupal-selector=\u0022form-e7mwpkza3-axwfd-cawyzzglkz15q9pvyx2htou55zw\u0022 type=\u0022hidden\u0022 name=\u0022form_build_id\u0022 value=\u0022form-e7mWPkzA3-axwfD_CawyzZglkz15Q9PVYx2HTOu55zw\u0022 \/\u003E\n\u003Cinput data-drupal-selector=\u0022edit-modal-form-example-modal-form\u0022 type=\u0022hidden\u0022 name=\u0022form_id\u0022 value=\u0022modal_form_example_modal_form\u0022 \/\u003E\n\u003C\/form\u003E\n\u003C\/div\u003E","dialogOptions":{"width":"800","modal":true,"title":"Republish this content"}}]