Graphenea, nanoGUNE's first start-up company
On 9 April 2010, a new start-up company (Graphenea) was launched as a joint venture of private investors and nanoGUNE. The new company, which is located at the nanoGUNE facilities, has been created with the mission of developing graphene-based process and product technology as well as conducting related research activities. Amaia Zurutuza, coming from Controlled Therapeutics Scotland (CTS) Ltd. in Glasgow, took on 9 April 2010 her new responsabilities as Scientific Director of Graphenea.
Graphene, first obtained at the University of Manchester in 2004, is a one-atom-thick planar sheet made of carbon atoms and their bonds. Graphene, which is essentially an isolated atomic plane of graphite, exhibits extraordinary electronic and mechanical properties that point it as one of the most promising materials to have hit the market in years.
Last November, a special mention by the jury of the nineth Manuel Laborde Werlinden prize went to the Graphenea initiative presented by Jose M. Pitarke (Director of nanoGUNE) for his business initiative on graphene.