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Advancing renewable energy-powered solutions for water desalination

The University of Manchester is part of the EU-funded AQUASOL project, working to address global water scarcity through renewable energy-powered desalination. Researchers at Manchester will develop graphene-based membranes designed to treat seawater and brackish water more efficiently. The goal is to increase membrane durability and reduce energy demands, offering practical improvements over current desalination systems.

Manchester researchers design 2D lattice to extend zinc-ion battery life

Scientists from the National Graphene Institute at The University of Manchester and the University of Technology Sydney have developed a new way to improve the lifespan of zinc-ion batteries, offering a safer and more sustainable option for energy storage.The team designed a two-dimensional (2D) manganese-oxide/graphene superlattice that triggers a unique lattice-wide strain mechanism. This approach significantly boosts the structural stability of the battery’s cathode material, enabling it to operate reliably over 5,000 charge-discharge cycles. That’s around 50% longer than current zinc-ion batteries.The research, published in Nature Communications, offers a practical route to scalable, water-based energy storage technologies.

Breakthrough in quantum materials: UK Scientists achieve precision activation of quantum defects in diamond

A new study led by researchers at the Universities of Oxford, Cambridge and Manchester has achieved a major advance in quantum materials, developing a method to precisely engineer single quantum defects in diamond—an essential step toward scalable quantum technologies. 

Scientists develop new method to measure and predict hydrogen bond strength in confined water

A breakthrough by researchers at The University of Manchester sheds light on one of nature’s most elusive forces, with wide-reaching implications for medicine, energy, climate modelling and more.Researchers at The University of Manchester have developed a ground-breaking method to precisely measure the strength of hydrogen bonds in confined water systems, an advance that could transform our understanding of water’s role in biology, materials science, and technology. The work, published in Nature Communications, introduces a fundamentally new way to think about one of nature’s most important but difficult-to-quantify interactions.

Researcher to Innovator (R2I) Programme - Apply by 8th April to secure a place

Apply Now to join the R2I programmeR2I is a bespoke entrepreneurship training programme for late stage PhD students, PDRAs and early-career researchers from across all faculties with ambitions to develop commercial ventures or to create impact from their research. The programme includes a series of interactive personal and professional development sessions, which introduce the concept of commercialisation, equipping researchers with strategies to take ideas forward and discover new pathways to funding. Read more about the researchers recently supported to further their ideas. Key Dates:Application Deadline: 23:59, 8th April 2025 [APPLY TODAY]Boot Camp Day 1: Monday 28th April 2025Boot Camp Day 2: Thursday 8th May 2025Full Programme: Monday 28th April – Thursday 17th July 2025 Don’t miss the opportunity to be part of the next cohort and join a network of likeminded researchers. Apply Now to secure your place on the programme! To find out more about the R2I Programme visit our website  The MEC Researcher to Innovator (R2I) programme is supported by the University’s Innovation Academy. The Innovation Academy is a pan University initiative and joint venture between the Masood Entrepreneurship Centre, the University of Manchester Innovation Factory and the Business Engagement and Knowledge Exchange team, bringing together knowledge, expertise and routes to facilitate the commercialisation of research.

Graphene-based programmable surfaces advance terahertz imaging and 6G communications

Researchers at The University of Manchester’s National Graphene Institute have introduced a new class of reconfigurable intelligent surfaces capable of dynamically shaping terahertz (THz) and millimetre (mm) waves. Detailed in a paper published in Nature Communications, this breakthrough overcomes long-standing technological barriers and could pave the way for next-generation 6G wireless technologies and non-invasive imaging systems.

Scaling sustainable carbon fibre production: A breakthrough in lignin-based innovation

Carbon fibre is a critical material for industries such as aerospace and automotive, prized for its strength and lightweight properties. However, traditional carbon fibre production relies on costly, petroleum-based materials, driving up costs and environmental impact.Lignin – a widely available by-product of cellulose production, with around 70 million tonnes generated annually – offers a promising, sustainable alternative. Typically treated as waste or burned for energy, lignin has untapped potential for high-value applications, including next-generation carbon fibre manufacturing.From lab to pilot scaleIndustry partner Lixea has been collaborating with Imperial College London, where Dr Agi Brandt-Talbot and Professor Milo Shaffer developed a patented technology to convert lignin into carbon fibre at a small lab scale (1ml production). The process leveraged two key innovations: Ionic liquid technology – dissolving various lignins while allowing the liquid to be recycled after fibre formation. Polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) – a non-toxic, biodegradable polymer used as a spinning aid. This approach not only enables the production of high-lignin-content fibres (75-90%) with excellent structure and yield but also significantly reduces costs. By replacing petroleum-based precursors with lignin and ionic liquids – both renewable, lower-cost, and less toxic materials – production costs could be reduced. Manchester’s ability to scale upTo validate this technology at scale, Dr Joanne Ng from Imperial College joined forces with Drs Dominic Wales and Umar Muhammad, researchers at The University of Manchester and Royce Application Scientists, led by Jonny Blaker, Professor of Biomaterials. Together the team created a pilot-scale demonstration at the Fibre Technology Platform, at the Henry Royce Institute, using its wet spinning line. Lignin was sourced from Lixea’s pilot plant, which uses the same ionic liquid to extract lignin from wood waste, ensuring process alignment with the company’s existing technologies.The team tested three different lignins – two from spruce sawdust, and one from bagasse, a by-product of sugar production – with the bagasse-derived lignin proving most effective, enabling continuous fibre spinning at pilot scale for the first time.Key learning and future developmentSeveral critical insights emerged from the trials. Firstly, drying control was crucial to prevent fibre shrinkage. Secondly, lignin solutions became more viscous over time, requiring adjustments to maintain quality. And thirdly, spinneret design affected fibre uniformity, highlighting the need for further refinement and development of the facility.Through the project the team successfully produced continuous fibres. The next steps include refining fibre drying, collection, and carbonisation processes, which will be essential for scaling up this breakthrough technology in the UK.A milestone for sustainable carbon fibreManchester’s success in scaling up this novel technology marks a significant step toward commercially viable, sustainable carbon fibre production.The future of carbon fibre innovationWith continued advancements and industry collaboration, lignin-based carbon fibre could soon become a commercially scalable, high-performance, and environmentally friendly alternative to petroleum-derived materials. Manchester’s pioneering role in technology scale-up reinforces its position as a leader in materials innovation and sustainable manufacturing, helping new ideas emerging in other UK leading universities, such as Imperial, make real-world impact.Meet the researcherJonny Blaker, Professor in Biomaterials, principle research areas are i) Bio-inspired hierarchical composite materials and ii) Advanced materials derived from synthetic biology, with an emphasis on medical applications. He currently leads projects on bioactive medical materials, mask-less digital photolithography for 3D printing/patterning surfaces, development of bio-inks for 3D printing/biofabrication, the exploitation surfaces and interfaces for materials production, processing of fibres, especially nanofibres via solution blow spinning including silks derived from synthetic biology, as well as shape-morphing composites.Email Professor Blaker >>Email the Business Engagement Team >>View academic profile >>

Eli and Britt Harari Graphene award 2025

Congratulations to CDT student Patrick Sarsfield, winner of the £20,000 second prize with co-founder of Graphene Thermal Daniel Mills. Patrick is currently doing his PhD in the Theory of Electronic Properties of Graphene.

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