Versarien subsidiary chosen for Rolls-Royce collaboration

Advanced materials engineering company Versarien announced on Thursday that, following an open innovation call, multinational engineering company Rolls-Royce had chosen to work with the University of Manchester's ‘Graphene Engineering Innovation Centre’ (GEIC) and its tier 1 partner, Versarien subsidiary 2-DTech.

The AIM-traded firm said the initial programme of work would use the chemical vapour deposition (CVD) equipment located within the GEIC.

It said the collaboration would look to explore, understand and create technological advances surrounding the use of graphene and other 2D materials used in wiring, for next-generation aerospace engine systems.

The work conducted would seek to use the “unique properties” of the 2D materials to reduce the weight of electrical components, improve electrical performance and also increase resistance to corrosion of components in future engine systems.

Versarien said the programme aimed to present potential economic benefits through the possibility of significant cost reductions, and global environmental benefits through the reduction of energy use and lower emissions from electrification.

“The pursuit of sustainability has become an important goal for many companies in recent years,” said chief executive officer Neill Ricketts.

“Rolls-Royce is one of the world's leading industrial technology companies and today, the size and impact of the markets its serves makes this task more urgent than ever.”

Ricketts said taking advantage of advanced materials such as graphene had the potential to “revolutionise” those markets, and add real benefit.

“The partnership with Rolls-Royce is a significant endorsement to 2-DTech's work over the years and we are delighted it has been chosen by such a renowned business and look forward to working together.”

At 1617 BST, shares in Versarien were up 3.83% at 61.78p.