_JIL8657 James Baker at GIS2019
26
May
2020
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10:43
Europe/London
Graphene@Manchester helps form global advanced materials taskforce in response to COVID-19
Graphene@Manchester – the world-leading graphene research and innovation community at The University of Manchester – has helped set up a new, international task force to bring graphene and advanced materials to the forefront of tackling COVID-19.
The Advanced Materials Pandemic Taskforce (AMPT) is a non-political, international group, which has been formed to help combat the COVID-19 pandemic and future public health emergencies at a global level.
This new organisation is led by an international steering committee comprising key leaders in the advanced materials community, including James Baker, CEO Graphene@Manchester.
The AMPT steering committee will provide the vision, strategy, coordination and expert leadership needed to evaluate and expedite the use of graphene and other advanced materials to help prevent and manage COVID-19 and future pandemics. At the same time, it will look to develop solutions for the new wave of technological and societal needs that will arise in the aftermath of COVID-19.
“I urge everyone in the graphene and advanced materials sector to get on board with this global initiative and work together to develop, implement and fast-track science-based solutions and innovations as we fight this public health emergency,” said Baker.
“The COVID-19 pandemic also gives the world a chance to do things differently and to accelerate the adoption of next-generation innovation – the rapid development and application of new and exciting materials such as graphene will help drive this revolution.”
Other leading figures participating in the AMPT steering committee include:
- Dr Antonio Castro Neto, Director of CA2DM, National University of Singapore
- Dr Zina Jarrahi Cinker, CEO & Managing Partner, C6 Advanced Material Firm, US
- Dr Kari Hjelt, Head of Innovation, Chalmers Industriteknik, Sweden
- Dr Jiaxing Huang, Professor of Materials Science and Engineering Northwestern University, US
- John Hoffman, CEO GSMA Ltd, US
- Dr Frank Koppens, Professor and Group Leader, The Institute of Photonic Sciences (ICFO), Spain
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Our task force will provide the global vision and alignment and coordination needed to effectively evaluate and use advanced materials as solutions to the needs of the pandemic and post-pandemic world.
Dr Zina Jarrahi Cinker, CEO C6 Advanced Material Firm
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Dr Koppens said: “Materials innovations over the past decades have impacted many facets of our society and changed the world. Science and innovation can also change the current pandemic-troubled world. A coordinated effort is key for the development of innovative solutions in this global war on COVID-related issues and pandemics.”
In addition to announcing the steering committee, the AMPT has also launched the AMPT Network and a call for international participation to help in this global war on health and pandemic issues.
The AMPT Network will also assist in the development of a ‘Library of Knowledge’ and will link this to proposed mapping of future needs.
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An expansive international network of expertise, resources, material companies and organisations working together with vision and harmony will advance this global fight. As leaders in this field, we see an immediate need for participation and engagement at a global level.
Dr Antonio Castro Neto, Director of CA2DM, National University of Singapore
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The taskforce invites interested scientific and academic individuals or groups, testing facilities, commercial organisations, information-clearing organisations and other thought-leadership partners to participate in this ground-breaking effort by submitting an application form.
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