Unlocking the potential of 2D materials: introducing the new 2DMoT CDT
CDT National Graphene Institute 16 October 2024
The University of Manchester, birthplace of graphene, is launching the Centre for Doctoral Training in Two-Dimensional Materials (2DMoT CDT). This cutting-edge programme addresses a critical gap in the UK – a pipeline of highly skilled scientists and engineers to push the boundaries of 2D materials research and take the country to the forefront of global innovation.
Tapping into the future of 2D materials
The CDT in 2D Materials of Tomorrow, a partnership between The University of Manchester and the University of Cambridge, arrives at a pivotal moment for the UK, responding to the urgent demand for highly skilled scientists and engineers to lead advancements in 2D materials science and technology. From the groundbreaking discovery of graphene at The University of Manchester, to the vast potential of 2D materials for devices, composites, and heterostructures, the possibilities are limitless—and largely untapped.
Built on collaboration, driven by innovation
At the core of this new CDT lies a commitment to collaboration and multidisciplinary innovation. This isn’t your typical PhD programme. Instead, it’s a dynamic, multidisciplinary experience where individual research projects align with larger missions, pushing students to work alongside world-class experts and fostering a culture of peer-to-peer learning. With strong partnerships with both established companies and disruptive startups, the CDT bridges the gap between research and real-world applications, accelerating the journey from concept to market.
Nurturing the next generation of experts
CDT students won’t just be gaining knowledge – they’ll be mastering a diverse set of experimental and computational skills that will form the basis for truly innovative, challenging research projects. Whether they’re building intricate, nanoscale devices or using advanced characterisation tools like scanning probe techniques, students will be hands-on with the latest technologies. The students will regularly work with optical spectroscopies, structural characterisation, mechanical testing and chemical identification of materials. Supported by the National Graphene Institute in Manchester and Cambridge Graphene Centre, they’ll learn from the best in the field.
Specialist workshops, led by both CDT academics and industry leaders, will help students understand everything from cutting-edge research to innovation and commercialisation. And with a commitment to sustainability at the heart of each project, this programme is about creating future-forward solutions that work for both industry and the planet.
Bridging the gap between academia and industry
Under the leadership of Professor Irina Grigorieva, Director of the CDT, the programme will equip graduates with the skills and expertise to drive technological innovation in emerging sectors, from materials discovery to quantum technologies. Graduates will leave not just with degrees, but as pioneers – ready to tackle the challenges of tomorrow and unlock the potential of 2D materials.
The diverse, multidisciplinary community of PhD students, nurtured by the CDT, guarantees the sustained excellence of 2D materials research at the Universities of Manchester and Cambridge. Our future leaders, armed with specialised knowledge and industry experience, will be ready to unlock the potential of these materials, driving innovations across a spectrum of fields—from materials science to chemical engineering and quantum technologies.
Professor Irina Grigorieva, Director of the 2DMoT CDT
A dynamic ecosystem for innovation
The 2DMoT CDT isn’t just an academic programme, it’s an ecosystem, connecting with Manchester and Cambridge’s powerful innovation networks. It’s a pipeline for over 30 startups and spin-outs, turning groundbreaking research into commercial technologies.
But the benefits don’t stop with the students. The CDT will share its resources with the wider PhD community, offering access to select courses, seminars, and workshops. Through outreach efforts, such as science festivals and public events, we’re committed to igniting public interest in the transformative power of 2D materials.
Applications open in October 2024 for entry in September 2025. To learn more or apply, visit www.2d-materials-cdt.manchester.ac.uk