Graphene Engineering

Transcription

1 Graphene Engineering Call type: Expression of Interest Closing date: 16:00 Thursday 19 April 2012 Summary EPSRC would like invite Expressions of Interests to bid into the call for proposals in graphene engineering research. The aim of the call is to focus research on manufacturing processes and technologies linked to graphene in order to accelerate the development and generation of novel devices, applications technologies or systems. There will be up to 20M available for this call ( 10M EPSRC, plus up to 10M Capital) which will accommodate research programmes and equipment proposals. Research programmes should focus on advancing the engineering and manufacturing aspects of graphene in the context of important application areas. Equipment bids should complement existing activity in graphene science and promote engineering research for graphene and other closely related materials. There should also be some flexibility within programmes to fuel more speculative research into future innovations involving graphene and other carbon-based nanomaterials. Industry involvement will be welcomed as will development of staff and students (which would require complementary support from the universities involved). Background Graphene is a single layer of graphite arranged in tightly bound hexagons just one atom thick. Since the 2010 Nobel Prize for Physics was awarded to UK researchers in this field, huge investments are being directed into graphene research by industry and governments around the world. Part of the appeal of this unique material is that it is a crystal, a solid, a surface and a molecule and reflects the characteristics of all of these. It is the stiffest known material; it is optically transparent; it can stretch up to 20 times its length and appears to be the most impermeable material ever discovered. It is also an extremely good electrical conductor (can conduct electricity faster and with more precision than any other material) and has superb thermal conductivity (outperforming diamond). Extensive scientific study of graphene has excited scientists around the world, with many research papers being published on the subject every day. Much of the scientific interest stems from the combinations of graphene s unique properties that open up huge potential for use in numerous applications, from

2 composite materials to electronics. Graphene science explores the physical, chemical and electronic properties of this material as well as its physical limitations and practical restrictions (such as overcoming the lack of a band-gap or producing large enough sheets of graphene suitable for integration into devices). Experimental solutions to these limitations have relied on graphene being thermodynamically stable and chemically inert, which means that lattices can be placed on top of other materials, or even doped with other atoms to strengthen and enhance its properties. For example, controlled chemical doping or layering multiple graphene lattices scientists introduces a band-gap that controls the transport characteristics of graphene for electronic devices. It is clear that studies to demonstrate the versatility of graphene are prompting further research to realise the potential of graphene and successfully broaden the opportunity and possibility for commercialisation of graphene. To date, there have been a number of proof-of-concept demonstrations for a variety of applications, which have shown that graphene can soon be incorporated into numerous devices we use every day. It is being used to replace some electrode materials for capacitors used for energy storage and incorporated into electronic wearable textiles that can be stretched and laundered without damaging the electronic properties of the material. Graphene is also believed to be a superior material for creating solar cell electrodes, electronic or optoelectronic devices, single-molecule gas sensors, and in membranes for sequencing DNA. By mixing graphene with other substances, such as plastics, scientists believe that they can make stronger, electrically conductive, heat resistant materials, which could be used to create strong, lightweight materials that could potentially be applied in a range of applications. To reflect the commercial potential of this material, hundreds of start-up companies and well-known multinational technology companies are investing heavily in graphene. Yet, despite all the hype and heavy investment, there needs to be further work in development to take graphene-based products to market. There is also an increasing awareness and opportunity among the global research community of the need to exploit and commercialise technology based on graphene and related nanomaterials. With a firm foundation of graphene science, the UK is in a prime position to build on its strength in this field to lead the commercialisation of graphene through supporting the development of applications for the technology. Recognising this opportunity, on 3 October 2011, the Chancellor pledged a 50M investment to establish the UK as a graphene research and technology 'hub' with the aim to capture the commercial benefits of graphene ( The chancellor stated We will fund a national research programme that will take this Nobel prize-winning discovery from the British laboratory to the British factory floor We re going to get Britain making things again. The importance of fundamental graphene research has long been recognised through years of investment by EPSRC, where the current portfolio of graphene research already focuses on both the physical properties of the material and technology applications. The next step to advance the commercial viability of graphene is to harness the emerging capability in graphene engineering including novel applications and production technologies.

3 Scope of Call The aim of the call is to accelerate the generation of novel devices, technologies and systems using graphene as the material of choice. The call will motivate new and existing research groups in graphene and related materials to specifically focus on the engineering aspects (rather than the science) and to foster an environment of collaboration across the UK. The call will also focus on developing people to stimulate the future sustainability of UK graphene engineering research and future commercialisation opportunities across a variety of sectors. To succeed in capturing the commercial benefits of graphene, we need to nurture the growing capability for graphene engineering research to complement current activity and future UK investment in graphene research and technology. The call is structured with two independent streams, where proposals will be invited for research programmes (with or without capital equipment) and equipment-only bids (specifically for research groups with existing capability). Research programmes, with or without capital equipment Proposals must align to the scope of the call and include the following aspects that will form part of the assessment criteria: A programme of research that seeks to understand how to commercialise and enhance the manufacturability of graphene as the material of choice; A programme of innovative and adventurous research with an emphasis on applications; A research consortium, led by engineers, that brings together a diverse team; A desire to complement and engage with other components of the graphene global research and technology hub and other relevant initiatives; A suite of people-based activities to help strengthen the essential crossdisciplinary collaborations, develop new research activities and increase impact in this area; Strong alignment with industry needs and a strategy for engaging with potential users of the research; Programmes should explore one or more existing application areas (see below) and also have the capability to address more speculative directions, including those of broader carbon-based materials. Below are some examples (not an exhaustive list) of existing application areas that could form the basis for graphene engineering research: - Production technologies (including novel methods, scale-up and mass production, metrology and process control). - Composites (utilising the unusual mechanical properties of graphene including high strength and resistance to crack propagation). - Graphene electronics: specialist devices (e.g. high frequency transistors, spintronics) or in combination with other electronics technologies (e.g. printed electronics).

4 - Transparent conducting coatings (e.g. as replacement for indium tin oxide in a range of applications such as touch screens, solar cells etc ). - Paints and coatings (e.g. modification of optical/electrical properties of chemical derivatives of graphene). - Graphene Photonics (e.g. photomodulators, photodetectors, plasmonics, ultra-fast lasers, metamaterials). - Graphene sensors (e.g. chemical, strain sensors). - Energy storage (e.g. graphene-based batteries, super-capacitors). Equipment-only proposals This strand is open for research groups with existing capability in graphene research (or similar) where the equipment should serve a variety of research purposes. The equipment should not only support graphene science and graphene engineering, but also research in closely related materials science and engineering. Proposals should explain how the addition of this equipment will help researchers demonstrate alignment to certain aspects for the broader graphene engineering call, namely: Aid the understanding of how to commercialise and enhance the manufacturability of graphene and where appropriate, other related materials; Promote innovative and adventurous research with an emphasis on applications; Enhance the capability of an established research group and broaden its diversity to include strong engineering aspects; Promote alignment with industry and establish a strategy for getting appropriate companies involved; Complement other components of the graphene global research and technology hub and UK research capability; Demonstrate the broader utility of the equipment requested. Funding available EPSRC are committing 10M into the call, with up to an additional 10M of Capital investment from BIS. We aim to provide grants for research programmes of up to five-years with flexible funding (similar to that provided through EPSRC platform and programme grants) that can be used for a mixture of research projects, feasibility studies and networking and outreach activities. Research programmes should range between 1.5M - 3M and consist of a suite of related activities built around a central research challenge, based on existing application areas. The funding should also allow the flexibility to explore speculative application areas and to change direction during the grant to explore these new opportunities as they arise. Programmes should include a management structure from the outset to ensure that a clear decision-making process is in place to

5 manage any change of direction (as well as retain the objectives of the research as assessed throughout the lifetime of the grant). Equipment It is anticipated that up to 10M will be made available by BIS to fund the capital equipment (full confirmation of the amount of capital funds available will be communicated to successful applicants following the Expression of Interest stage). Individual items of equipment below 10k should be included in research programme proposals and will be paid at 80% FEC. These should be included in Other Directly Incurred costs. Individual items of equipment between 10k and 135,668 (incl. VAT) can also be included on research programme proposals, but research organisations will normally be expected to make a contribution to the cost. Additional justification of the requirement for the equipment and proposed contributions to the cost of the equipment by the research organisation or project partner, must be provided in the equipment annex at full proposal stage. Individual items of equipment over 135,668 can be applied for as part of this call (whether as part of a research programme or as equipment-only). For research programmes, additional justification of the requirement and strategic need for the equipment, procedures to ensure maximum usage and proposed contributions to the cost of the equipment by the research organisation or project partner must be provided in the form of a business case at full proposal stage. These items of equipment will be assessed within the graphene engineering call assessment and will not be subject to the independent assessment procedure as recently announced by RCUK, despite the equipment-only proposals following a similar application procedure (albeit on the same timescales as research programmes). Equipment funded through this stream will be issued through equipment accounts. More detail on the assessment of equipment (within full proposals) will be provided to relevant applicants following the EoI stage. In the meantime, for more information on this type of equipment funding, please see: quipment/process/pages/default.aspx Eligibility For information on the eligibility of organisations and individuals to receive EPSRC funding, see the EPSRC Funding Guide: As this call is a targeted funding opportunity provided by EPSRC, higher education institutions and independent research organisations are eligible to apply, where appropriate. A list of eligible organisations to apply to EPSRC is provided at:

6 How to apply Assessment process There are two stages in the assessment process: 1 Expression of Interest (EoI) Applicants for both streams should complete the Expression of Interest form in the first instance. At this stage, we will not accept any other documents such as annexes, a work plan or letters of support. Please fill in the attached EoI form and send it by to: GEcall@epsrc.ac.uk The 6-page EoI contains the following sections: Applicants; Research vision; Proposed programme (to be completed for research programmes only) Resources and Equipment The EoI will be assessed on the following assessment criteria: Fit to the scope of the call (as described in this document); Vision for the proposed research (or equipment) to deliver solutions to the research challenge and intended outputs and deliverables; Strength and capability of the research team(s); Management structures a brief outline of management arrangements is required. A project plan is not required at this stage. An EPSRC panel (with independent academic and industry representation) will short-list the Expressions of Interest based on the information provided and how the ideas proposed resonate with the criteria listed in the scope of the call. Shortlisted proposals will then be invited to submit a full grant proposal subject to any specific advice or guidance that the panel may recommend to optimise the proposed research and its alignment to the scope of the call. We reserve the right to reject proposals that are substantially outside the scope of the call or wholly beyond the remit of EPSRC without reference to peer review. 2 - Full proposals After short-listing the Expressions of Interests, we will invite a number of applicants to prepare and submit full proposals. Both single and multi-institutional bids are invited; however, proposals must be submitted on one common Je-S proposal form even if they are multi-institutional bids.

7 For research programmes, the full research programme proposal should expand on the research challenge and proposed work programme as summarised in the EoI, and also should include: Track record of the applicants, justification of the added value offered by the assembled collaborative team and how this grant will complement the group s other activities; Full details of the involvement of project partners where appropriate (e.g. industrial collaborators and other user groups), including contributions being provided by these organisations and their role in transfer of research outputs into policy and practice. Letters of support should be included as appropriate; A strategy for identifying and engaging with potential users and steps that will be taken to ensure that the outputs of the research and made available to potential users and suitable metrics for determining the success of the strategy in delivering value to users and the UK. Statement of national importance; Statement of pathways to impact; A business case for any equipment costing 135,668 or above, which details the need for the equipment along with discussion of the strategy for maximising usage of the equipment; Detailed arrangements for project management in terms of milestones and deliverables. For equipment only bids, the full proposal should expand on the aims and vision for the equipment as summarised in the EoI, and also should include: Track record of the applicants and groups or researchers who will use the equipment; Full details of the equipment requested, technical information and details of the current and future science it will underpin and relevance to the scope of the call; Current capability of the institute in relevant science and engineering and fit into the UK landscape; Details on long-term sustainability; Statement of national importance; Statement of pathways to impact; Detailed arrangements for management and access to the equipment including a strategy for maximising usage of the equipment; Letter of support from any project partners; Three quotes for the equipment requested. In each stream, the full proposal should contain a Case for Support that includes the Track Record, Work plan, Justification of Resources (with equipment annex for research programmes) and the Pathways to Impact document. Please add CVs (where applicable) and statements of support from collaboration partners. If your proposal exceeds the page limit, or does not conform to this format, your proposal will not be considered. For guidance on format and advice on writing proposals see: Guidance on the types of support that may be sought and advice on the completion of the research proposal forms are given on the EPSRC website

8 ( which should be consulted when preparing all proposals. Please note that EPSRC reserves the right to reject a full proposal where the resources are substantially different from those indicated in the EoI form or where there have been other significant changes from the EoI. Full proposal assessment criteria The assessment of proposals and the decisions will take account of the priorities and interests of EPSRC, the scope of the call and the fit to the national capability in graphene research. In addition to ensuring that the programme of proposed research (or research equipment) fits within the scope of the call and addresses any recommendations made by the panel (based on the EoI submission), full proposals will be assessed on: Quality and excellence of the proposed research including novelty, timeliness, ambition and appropriateness of the proposed methodology; National importance and how the research underpins or contributes to manufacturing challenges and emerging industry; Strategic case for any large equipment; Evidence of support from the universities involved and how the research complements institutional strategy; The pathway to impact and effectiveness of the activities identified to help realise these impacts, including the resources requested for this purpose. This includes the pathway to manufacture; Applicant ability to deliver the research, effectively operate any equipment requested and the balance of skills within the research team; Appropriateness of resources requested and management plans. Full proposal assessment process For research programmes, full proposals will be sent to independent peer reviewers, including at least one nominated by the applicant. The peer reviewers role will primarily be to comment on the quality of the research. Those with sufficiently favourable reviewers comments will be invited to respond to the reviewers comments and then be assessed at an interview panel. For equipment-only proposals, there will be no postal peer review. The proposals will be assessed by a process consistent with an independent strategic equipment case (e.g. assessed directly by an interview panel). This interview panel, including both independent assessors (from industry and academia) and observers from EPSRC, will consider proposals from both streams. We aim to include panel members who have recently participated in a Strategic Equipment Panel to assess the case made for any equipment both as part of research programmes and as equipment-only proposals. As we plan to include interviews with applicants (via video conferencing where possible) we will send further details on this process with the invitations to submit full proposals. The interview panel will separately rank the two streams of proposals against the full assessment criteria, using the reviewer comments, PI response and overall interview performance. The panel will be asked to make funding

9 recommendations to EPSRC by taking into account the relative quality between research programmes and equipment-only proposals. Further guidance Guidance for applicants Information for applicants preparing full proposals can be found at: Guidance for reviewers Information about the EPSRC peer review process and guidance for reviewers can be found at: Additional grant conditions In addition to the standard terms and conditions for grants, successful applicants will be required to : (a) have a signed collaboration agreement between HEIs in place before the grant starts. (b) have a signed collaboration agreement with any project partner before that specific collaboration begins. There will also be a requirement for the investigators to carry out a mid-term review of the activities funded through the grant. Specific grant conditions in relation to reporting, and to ensuring access to the equipment to benefit a range of research, will also apply where appropriate. Key dates Activity Date Call launched on web (EoI stage) 24 February 2012 Closing date for EoIs 19 April 2012 Short-listing panel Early May 2012 Call opens in J-eS (Full proposal stage) May 2012 Closing date for full proposals Mid-July 2012 Postal peer review Aug-Sept 2012 Assessment (interview) panel October 2012 Grants Announced December 2012 Grants Start January 2013

10 Contacts If you have any questions about the call, please contact: Dr Andy Lawrence Senior Portfolio Manager Manufacturing the Future , Dr James Fleming Senior Portfolio Manager Manufacturing the Future , Change log Name Date Version Change Andy Lawrence 23 Feb N/A Andy Lawrence Andy Lawrence 28 Feb March Additional EPSRC Contact added 3 Amended text to show the change to the Strategic Equipment threshold