(Liam Critchley for Nano Magazine)
The graphene industry in the US is entering an interesting phase. As it stands, the US is lacking behind Europe, China and Singapore in funding and money invested into graphene technologies and new graphene developments. However, there is light at the end of the tunnel for the US graphene industry.
China is currently investing heavily in graphene and patenting many new graphene-based technologies. Singapore, despite being a small nation, has a dedicated and world-leading research centre for graphene and other 2D materials, and has invested more per capita into graphene than any other country (when the GDPs are normalised).
Europe has the Graphene Flagship – a dedicated organisation that provides funding for graphene-related projects in EU countries. With headquarters in Sweden, the Flagship has invested the most money worldwide towards the commercialisation of graphene and has been involved in the development of many graphene start-up companies. Whether or not the impacts of Brexit will affect future funding for the UK is yet to be seen and will most likely depend on what type of Brexit the UK adopts but UK is the spiritual home of Graphene due to its history and Routes in Manchester via The Graphene institute and investment.
Whilst in the US a significant amount of money has been invested towards the fundamental research of graphene, the US government has not invested a lot of money towards the commercialisation of graphene. However, it looks as though there may be big changes coming.