Graphene, a form of pure carbon arranged in an hexagonal lattice just one atom thick, has generated great excitement among researchers worldwide for its unique properties that stand to revolutionize materials science and electronics. Until recently, most studies have focused on the basic physical properties of graphene. Work at the new Center will go beyond this research, exploring advanced technologies and strategies that will lead to graphene-based materials, devices and systems for a variety of applications, including graphene-enabled systems for energy generation, smart fabrics and materials, radio-frequency communications, and sensing, to name a few.

This Center will benefit from very close collaboration with industrial partners. The Center coordinates the work of the more than 15 MIT research groups working on graphene, and leverages several existing collaborative efforts in graphene science that currently exist on campus, including a Multidisciplinary University Research Initiative grant (MURI) from the Office of Naval Research with Harvard and Boston University, as well as a regular Boston-Area CarbOn Nanoscience (BACON) Meeting.

The kick-off meeting of the MIT/MTL Center for Graphene Devices and Systems was held at MIT on 28 July 2011 with important participation from industry and government agencies.