Professors Andre Geim, left, and Dr Konstantin Novoselov. They have found how to exploit graphene, a new wonder material. Photograph: Jon Super/AP
I don’t wish to claim that the United kingdom is the ideal in the world at turning science into progressive items, but Aditya Chakrabortty’s report (four December) about the country’s efforts in exploiting graphene – the ultra-thin “wonder materials” produced from carbon – was unnecessarily gloomy.
Very first, in describing the function by Nobel laureates Andre Geim and Sir Kostya Novoselov at Manchester University, exactly where they discovered graphene in 2004, Chakrabortty fails to mention that the construction of the new, state-of-the-artwork £61m Nationwide Graphene Institute at the university has been specifically developed to inspire innovation.
2nd, he cites AstraZeneca’s closure of its study centre at Alderley Park in Cheshire as an illustration of Britain’s lack of revolutionary nous. Yes, the centre closed this year, but it has been relocated to Cambridge. Of course, that raises separate questions more than the north-south divide, but not to mention the centre’s move appears a unusual oversight.
Matin Durrani
Editor, Physics Planet
• Aditya Chakrabortty is appropriate that government must be seeking to science and innovation to improve our prospective customers for growth. Despite speak of continued austerity – which will no doubt be a function of the autumn statement – there is scope to treble the science budget in four years’ time.
On the most recent official figures, the government is planning to go further than just balancing the books in the following parliament. In fact, it is focusing on a surplus of £15bn in the structural budget by 2017-18. As an alternative of putting this funds aside for a rainy day, it could support the innovations Chakrabortty describes.
Building a a lot more innovative economy will assist raise our extended-run productivity, development in which is just .5%. If we maintain going like this, forecasts by the Office of Spending budget Obligation suggest that the pressures produced by an ageing population will mean public sector debt rises over a hundred% of GDP, generating latest public investing challenges pale by comparison.
Emran Mian
Director, Social Industry Basis
No need to be so gloomy about graphene | @guardianletters
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