NATIONAL PHYSICAL LABORATORY (NPL) JOINS GRAPHENE STAKEHOLDERS ASSOCIATION AS A LIFETIME MEMBER

BUFFALO, N.Y., Aug. 5, 2013 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) --
The Graphene Stakeholders Association (GSA) announced today that the National Physical Laboratory (NPL) has joined the association as a lifetime member. The GSA (www.graphenestakeholders.org) and NPL (www.npl.co.uk/graphene) will work closely together on fulfilling the association's mission of promoting the responsible development of graphene and graphene-enabled technologies and applications. The GSA was launched earlier this year as a 501(c)6 enterprise headquartered in Buffalo, NY. The GSA's founders include Keith Blakely, a 35 year veteran of the advanced materials and nanotechnology community, Dr. Alan Rae, CEO of the Nano Materials Innovation Center, Vincent Caprio, Executive Director of the NanoBusiness Commercialization Association, and Stephen Waite, Managing Partner of SoundView Technology Group. Mr. Waite and Mr. Blakely serve as co-Executive Directors of the GSA.

The GSA was created to foster graphene-based education, technical collaboration, scientific exchange, and value and job creation through successful commercialization. The addition of NPL to the GSA is a key development that will bring a wealth of technical expertise and knowhow to the association that will be used to serve GSA members and organizations working closely with the GSA. "We foresee a significant role for NPL in the GSA in helping to develop common and accepted nomenclature, definitions, standard metrology and testing methods that will help foster and facilitate the development of graphene and graphene-enabled applications globally," stated GSA co-founder, Stephen Waite. "We are delighted with NPL's decision to join the GSA and look forward to working closely with Andrew Pollard and his colleagues in the months and years ahead," says Waite.

Keith Blakely, CEO of The InVentures Group (www.theinventuresgroup.com) and GSA co-founder added: "We are thrilled to bring NPL into the GSA and to engage what is arguably one of the world's leading scientific organizations in our mission. With over 500 scientists and some of the world's most sophisticated measurement laboratories, the combination of physical assets, intellectual prowess, and dedicated researchers makes NPL an ideal partner to move the GSA's mission forward."

With the addition of NPL to its membership, Dr. Pollard joins the GSA's Advisory Board and will also help in areas such as the GSA Forum on its website. Other initiatives with NPL will also be added in the future.  On the NPL-GSA partnership, Andrew Pollard said: "NPL has a leading role in the development of measurement techniques and international standards for graphene and 2-D materials, and the formation of the GSA is extremely well-timed as graphene progresses from the research laboratory to commercialization. This partnership between two organizations with such well-aligned aims should enable the widely-predicted growth of a global graphene industry."

The GSA is actively seeking members from around the world to build a strong foundation that will serve to facilitate the responsible development of graphene and graphene-enabled products through collaboration and participation. The association will hold its first major event later this year in mid-October at The University of Pennsylvania in collaboration with the NanoBusiness Commercialization Association. Further information about the event is available at www.internano.org/nmsummit/ and www.graphenestakeholders.org.

About the Graphene Stakeholders Association

The Graphene Stakeholders Association (GSA) was created to promote the responsible development of graphene products by supporting standards activities and fostering education and information exchange in an open-innovation forum. The GSA seeks to develop common and accepted nomenclature, definitions, standard metrology and testing methods, along with health, safety, and environmental standards by working collaboratively with international, national and industry-based organizations. The GSA also seeks to facilitate and promote developmental efforts and highlight successful commercialization activities through networking and partnerships, to monitor progress and develop action plans through regular web conferences and meetings, and to communicate the benefits and progress of the industry as a whole to public and private thought leaders and influencers including, where appropriate, governmental agencies and regulatory bodies. For more information, please visit the GSA's website: www.graphenestakeholders.org.

About the National Physical Laboratory (NPL)

The National Physical Laboratory (NPL) is one of the UK`s leading science facilities and research centers. It is a world-leading center of excellence in developing and applying the most accurate standards, science and technology available. NPL occupies a unique position as the UK`s National Measurement Institute (NMI) and sits at the intersection between scientific discovery and real world application. Working on the international stage in partnership with industry, academia and government, NPL has a thriving research business. Its expertise and original research have underpinned quality of life, innovation and competitiveness for more than a century. The UK government recently announced the investment of £25M in a new Advanced Metrology Laboratory at NPL which will enhance the current suite of over 350 laboratories and provide facilities for new research collaborations.

NPL has pioneered research in graphene-based quantum Hall resistance standards and is also working to provide the measurement capability necessary to characterise graphene, advanced 2-D materials and associated devices. This characterisation capability and work on developing international standards in this area will enable the industrialisation of graphene production and its global adoption.

More information can be found at NPL's graphene website: www.npl.co.uk/graphene