As demonstrated by our publication output and patent portfolio, the Graphene Flagship is defining the international forefront in its field. Our output includes, for instance, new ways to produce two-dimensional materials and their heterostructures, record-breaking photodetectors, novel sensors, next generation energy storage solutions, and advanced composites for uses in aerospace applications. Further details can be found in our annual reports available at www.graphene-flagship.eu.
The Graphene Flagship is actively exploring ways to better assess its impact in many different areas. Our largest immediate concrete impact is related to our engagement in education of future experts in graphene and related technologies. To this extent, we have hired over 300 graduate students that are trained in the flagship and will take, after graduation, their expertise to European industries, further strengthening the knowledge transfer between academia and industry. The technological impacts that can be directly traced to flagship output take longer time to mature, but we already see effects in the form of new products and new companies in areas with fast development cycles. In other areas, e.g. medical technologies, the lead time from research to product can be 15 years, and a reliable assessment of technological impacts will have to wait. The flagship has already had a tangible policy impact both on the national level, with many national programs launched on fields related to the Graphene Flagship, and the European level, where the ninth framework program on research (Horizon Europe) will have a substantial focus on flagship-like missions.
In order to encourage new innovation projects between academia and industry, the Graphene Flagship organized six Graphene Connect workshops in Core 1 to bridge the gap and foster communication between researchers and industry leaders with the goal of realising collaborative innovation projects. Most of the Graphene Connect workshops were held during industry events with discussions revolving around specific graphene application areas including composites, electronics and biotech. Furthermore, in May 2017, Airbus partnered with the Graphene Flagship to hold a Graphene Marketplace symposium where flagship partner companies showcased demonstrators and prototypes for aeronautic applications.
The Graphene Flagship enjoyed a great deal of media attention throughout Core 1, being mentioned in 3,927 articles with an overall reach of 2737.75 million readers over the two-year period. This shows a great impact extending far beyond the traditional audiences. Targeted media campaigns around the Graphene Flagship’s presence at Mobile World Congress and the Zero Gravity Graphene research initiative conducted in collaboration with the European Space Agency generated a large proportion of the media activity surrounding the Graphene Flagship in this phase of the project.
