11 October 2011
Funding the ‘wonder material’
One of the Coalition Government's first acts was to cut a wide range of public spending programmes as part of its plan to reduce the National Debt.
But the spending cuts didn't go across the board: the science budget was left untouched. And that was – still is – good news, because the UK remains a global leader in basic scientific research.
Graphene, discovered by Nobel Laureates Professors Geim and Novoselov at Manchester University, is the latest star item added to the list of UK research achievements. As the semiconductor industry gets ever closer to not being able to use silicon at the 'bleeding edge', graphene is being hailed as the successor – some, including Chancellor George Osborne, are even calling it a 'wonder material'.
Research is one thing; it's the next step – commercialisation – that has proved problematic. Over the years, the benefits of British breakthroughs have often accrued elsewhere. The reasons vary: sometimes, it's down to corporate bungling; sometimes, it's a lack of government support at the right time.
So the news that the Government is to provide £50million to create a 'Global Research and Technology Hub' for graphene is welcomed. According to the Government, the investment means leading researchers will stay here to continue their work. Science minister David Willets believes the Global Hub will ensure the UK 'wins the race to develop commercial uses' of graphene.
Almost in the same breath, during his speech to the Conservative Party conference, the Chancellor pledged £150million to extend the mobile phone network. So it's £50m for a 'wonder material' and three times that sum to broaden mobile phone coverage.
We all have to make judgements about priorities, but if George Osborne really believes graphene to be a 'wonder material', wouldn't you think he might put a bit more cash behind it?
Author
Graham Pitcher
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