Mewburn Ellis, a firm of intellectual property specialists, has announced it is linking up with a multi-million-pound research centre run by the University of Manchester, focused on developing innovative new applications for the 2D ‘miracle material’ graphene.
The Graphene Engineering Innovation Centre (GEIC) is a £60m R&D initiative at the University of Manchester, set to open in December 2018. It is designed to bring together specialist organisations from across the North West and wider UK – including scientists, technicians, innovators and IP experts – to share knowledge and identify opportunities to advance the use of the material across countless products and industries.
Mewburn Ellis is a firm of IP attorneys whose Manchester office is based on Portland Street, in addition to further offices in Cambridge, Bristol, London and Munich, Germany.
Founded over 150 years ago, the firm has a long track record of working with inventors and innovators, helping them protect their intellectual property across numerous sectors, including advanced materials like graphene. The firm is joining the Graphene Engineering Innovation Centre as a new ‘affiliate member’.
Matthew Smith, Partner in the chemistry and advanced materials teams in Mewburn Ellis’ Manchester office, comments:
“It’s fantastic to see Manchester leading the way in the development and innovation of graphene. Manchester has been integral to the development of graphene technology since the start. Graphene was formally identified, isolated and characterised at the University of Manchester in 2004.
“Now, many businesses in the North West region are pushing the frontiers of its application forwards across countless technologies. There is graphene revolution underway in the North West and Mewburn Ellis are delighted to be playing a key role in it”.
“The properties of graphene are such that almost any industry might benefit from its use. Incredibly strong, exceptionally thermally conductive, and almost totally inelastic, it alone could revolutionise construction, manufacturing and consumer products.
“Graphene is entering its ‘difficult teenage years’ in terms of its potential being realised. People know about graphene and are excited by what might be possible – but that potential must be realised.
“In doing so, Intellectual Property rights must be protected. IP rights support innovation, by providing an incentive for those doing the work to publicise it and monetise it. Protecting the often hard-fought advances made in such a fast developing area is vital for securing a business future for smaller companies. At the same time it is essential for larger companies too, who need to protect themselves from their competitors at home and overseas.
“There are so many fascinating areas of graphene research currently underway, it is vital the people doing that research receive due protection and reward for their work.”
