In this talk, Aravind Vijayaraghavan will introduce the history of graphene, the techniques that can be used for its prodection and its superlative properties : it’s the strongest and lightest material known to humanity, the best conductor of electricity and heat, etc. By carefully combining these properties, a number of exciting applications of graphene are being developed – including coatings for future bendable and flexible electronic devices, new electricity conductors and even biomedical applications such as drug screening and delivery. The research and technology of graphene will be accelerated in the newly constructed National Graphene Institute in Manchester, at which Aravind works.