Graphene

15 years ago, graphene was first produced - or rather: exfoliated - by a research group at University of Manchester led by Andre Geim and Konstantin Novoselov, who were awarded the Nobel Prize in Physics 2010 for this accomplishment.
While it was believed before that two-dimensional crystalline materials could not exist due to thermodynamic instability, it turned out that there are several ways to produce graphene, some of them actually rather simple (although not cost-efficient or easily scalable). Due to its amazing properties, graphene was soon called a "wonder material": It is ultra-lightweight, highly elastic, extremely flexible, and as thin as possible with its one-atom-thickness. It is also effectively transparent, about 200 times stronger than steel, highly impermeable, and an exceptional conductor of both heat and electricity.
A multitude of applications was soon conceived, among them: faster computers using graphene transistors; better batteries with graphene electrodes; lighter coatings and structural material for aircrafts, cars, buildings, etc; printed circuits using graphene ink; filtration sponges and desalination membranes made of graphene; solar cells on every surface; and not to forget: invisibility cloaks and space elevators. Yet, despite over 60,000 graphene related patents, there are not many applications that have actually made it to the market, and many say graphene cannot live up to its promises.
In this science breakfast, moderated by Adam Smith (Nobel Media), renowned scientists will analyse the current state and future potential of the wonder material.
Jari Kinaret, Director of the EU's Graphene Flagship project funded with €1 billion will provide an overview of the development of graphene and also analyse whether the promises were ever plausible.
Nobel Laureate Konstantin Novoselov will also share his view and experience, before joining participants for breakfast, continuing the discussion.

Panellists:
- Jari Kinaret, Director, Graphene Flagship Project, Chalmers University of Technology, Sweden
- Klaus von Klitzing, Director, Max Planck Institute for Solid State Research, Germany
- Sir Konstantin S. Novoselov, University of Manchester, United Kingdom, National University of Singapore, Singapore

Moderator:
- Adam Smith, Chief Scientific Officer, Nobel Media AB, Sweden