Is Manchester’s magic material about to become useful at last?

Graphene soared and then it went quiet. We look at what happens next

Dear members — thanks for your kind comments under last night’s editor’s note from Joshi, not to mention your emails and messages. He hugely appreciates your patience, warmth and good wishes. 

Today’s members-only story is about the progress of graphene — the material that won global headlines and turned the eyes of the scientific world to Manchester just over 15 years ago, but which so far has struggled to take off. Jacklin digs into the practical challenges faced by graphene, and asks what might be around the corner.