Lab → Fab: Is the graphene revolution finally here?

Graphene promised a revolution when it was first isolated in Manchester in 2004. Two decades later the picture is nuanced: some UK spinouts are turning lab breakthroughs into products (from graphene photonic chips that could cut energy use dramatically, to low-carbon concrete trials), while others still struggle to scale and monetise. The race is global — China leads in production — and recent funding rounds (including a $55m raise for a Cambridge spinout) show investors are ready to back commercial bets. But the sector also offers a reminder: promising materials don’t automatically become mass-market tech — manufacturing scale, price parity and clear value vs incumbents matter. Read the full Guardian feature and join the conversation: where should graphene be focused next — datacentres, healthcare, construction or transport?