Manchester Uni teams share £70k graphene award

Both teams are addressing key societal challenges on future energy and food security: seeking breakthroughs by using 2D materials to produce hydrogen to generate energy, and by designing polymer hydrogels to increase food production.

The Eli and Britt Harari Enterprise Award, in association with Nobel Laureate Sir Andre Geim, is awarded each year to help commercialise graphene proposals from Manchester University students, researchers and graduates. The prize is supported by former Manchester physics student, Dr Eli Harari, founder of global flash-memory giant, SanDisk

The first prize of £50,000 was awarded to the team behind NanoPlexus which is aiming to develop a range of products based on nano-material aerogel technology that will offer cost-effective renewable hydrogen production. The runner-up, receiving £20,000, was AEH Innovative Hydrogel Ltd. Founded by recent PhD graduate Beenish Siddique, this technology aims to provide an eco-friendly hydrogel to farmers that not only increases crop production but also has potential to grow crops in infertile and water-stressed lands, with minimum use of water and fertilisers.