The Graphene Flagship at the EuroScience Open Forum

The EuroScience Open Forum (ESOF) is a unique and fascinating event dedicated to scientific research and innovation focusing on cutting edge content and lively debate. Held every two years and with over 4500 participants it brings together leading thinkers, innovators, policy makers, journalists and educators.  

This year sees the seventh iteration of ESFO coming directly from the 2016 European City of Science: Manchester.  From the 23 to 27 July 2016 Europe’s scientific community in all its forms will come together in appreciation of contemporary science.

Manchester, with its strong foundation in graphene research is the perfect location to bring graphene to the forefront of the scientific community.

To reach as wide an audience as possible the Graphene Flagship has organised and is participating in some fascinating activities during the five day ESOF event.

Events aimed at bringing graphene to the general public start on Saturday the 23 July with the world premiere of a ground breaking exhibition at the Manchester Museum of Science and Industry entitled Wonder Materials: Graphene and Beyond. Curated by the Museum of Science and Industry, in partnership with the National Graphene Institute at The University of Manchester, this exhibition allows you to immerse yourself in the wonders of a two dimensional world.

Then on Monday July 25 Jonathan Coleman, Trinity College Dublin, Ireland will give a Ted X style talk which promises to bring graphene to life.

Also on Monday July 25 is a session held by the European Commission on its Future and Emerging Technology (FET) Programme.  Aimed at those interested in science policy this session will highlight both of the current FET Flagships – the Graphene Flagship and the Human Brain Flagship. It will also look at the importance of supporting visionary technology for the growth and well being of Europe.

In a session specifically aimed at industry the Graphene Flagship has put together an exciting session entitled Graphene and beyond: a revolution in two dimensions.  During this session
the Nobel laureate Sir Konstantin Novoselov, (The University of Manchester) will speak about how 2D materials research could spark a revolution in real-world applications, and Professor Frank Koppens (Institute for Photonic Sciences) will speak on how the Graphene Flagship is ensuring that Europe can compete with the rest of the world on making graphene products a reality. Scientists and industry representatives will then debate the challenges of taking graphene and 2D materials to the market, and what sectors could be transformed by the ground-breaking research taking place all over the world.

To open up ESOF to young researchers the Graphene Flagship and the European Science Foundation in collaboration with Euroscience have provided nine travel grants to facilitate attendance of the conference. The young researchers, all working on graphene and other 2D materials are from eight different European countries. During ESOF, the grantees will have the opportunity to visit the National Graphene Institute and attend a special get-together of early career researchers.