Graphene discoverers win Europhysics Prize

PARIS — Two physicists from the University of Manchester have been awarded the Europhysics Prize for having discovered graphene and proved its electronics properties.

Since the discovery of graphene in 2004, Professor Andre Geim and Dr. Kostya Noveselov of the Center of Mesoscience and Nanotechnology have demonstrated the physics for the material and its potential in novel applications such as transistors just one atom thick and sensors that can detect just a single molecule of a toxic gas.

In a commentary, Prof. Geim declared: "Still we have not yet explored even a tip of the iceberg. Graphene continues to surprise us beyond our wildest imagination. It works like a magic wand – whatever property or phenomenon you address with graphene, it brings you back a sheer magic."

He added: “A couple of years ago, I was rather pessimistic about graphene-based technologies coming out of research labs any time soon. I have to admit I was wrong. They are coming sooner rather than later. In ten years time I believe the word graphene will be as widely known to the public as silicon."

Prof. Geim and Dr. Novoselov will share a cash prize of 10,000 euros.