On May 9, 2014, the collaborative Agreement Signing Ceremony of GrapheneInstitute of Industrial Technology Research (GIITR) was held in Xiamen University.
The institute was established jointly by Xiamen University, Bluestone Global Tech (BGT) Materials in UK, and Powerbooster Technologies in Fujian Province. The BGT Materials, established in 2011, is dedicated to the development of graphene technology with the ultimate goal of utilizing this “wonder material” to enhance our lives. BGT has pioneered the mass production of high-quality graphene enabling the commercialization of many graphene-enhanced applications such as advanced displays, flexible electronics, and energy storage materials. The Powerbooster Technologies is a leading graphene-science company aiming at applying graphene technology to enrich our everyday life experience. It specializes in marketing and enhancing graphene applications into various areas such as mobile device technology, energy generation and storage, medical and healthcare.
Mr. Shiman Ye of Vice President of Xiamen University, representative of Xiamen University, Dr. Zhongping Lai, representative of BGT Materials, and Dr. Bingxuan Xiao, representative of Powerbooster Technologies signed the Agreement. At the same time, Prof. Konstantin Novoselov of University of Manchester and 2010 Nobel Prize Laureate in Physics, Mr. Jiexu Hong of Vice Governor of Fujian Province, Mr. Chongshi Zhu of President of Xiamen University, Mr. Qiang Huang of Vice Mayor of Xiamen City, Mr. Qiuli Chen of the Director of Department of Science and Technology of Fujian Province, Mr. Canhuang Shen of the Director of Department of Science and Technology of Xiamen City, ten representatives of Powerbooster Technologies, and Dr. Xuesong Li of the Vice President of BGT Materials witnessed the signing. The ceremony was hosted by Prof. Zhong-Qun Tian of iChEM Director.
Graphene is a two dimensional material consisting of a single layer of carbon atoms arranged in a honeycomb or chicken wire structure. It is the thinnest material known and yet is also one of the strongest. It conducts electricity as efficiently as copper and outperforms all other materials as a conductor of heat. Graphene is almost completely transparent, yet so dense that even the smallest atom helium cannot pass through it. Graphene has an extremely broad application due to its high economic and social value in the traditional field of electronic communications, Li-ion batteries, aerospace industry, biomedicine, environmental protection, solar energy, photovoltaic and other emerging fields and new energy, new materials that will eventually lead to advanced technology revolution.
According to the Agreement, in order to build up multi-collaborative mode of “Top International Scientists-University-Enterprises-Local Government”, and establish Carbon Valley, similar to Silicon Valley in U.S., the institute will invite Prof. Novoselov and other World-renowned scientists, representative of the World-top level of graphene research, to create labs or workspaces in the institute.
The initial goal of the institute is to investigate graphene research related to touch screen, new generation of LED lights, energy storage, graphene ink, and large data storage, etc. The institute initially will be established on the basis of Pen-Tung Sah Institute of Micro-Nano Science and Technology, and finally will move to Xiangan campus for further development.
