Graphene light bulb to go on sale

A graphene light bulb is to go on sale in the UK later this year.

The developers said the light bulb is the first commercially viable consumer product using the super-strong carbon.

The light bulb contains a filament-shaped LED coated in graphene. It was designed at Manchester University, where the material was discovered.

It is said to cut energy use by 10% and last longer owing to its conductivity.

The National Graphene Institute at Manchester University was opened this month.

The light bulb was developed by a Canadian-financed company called Graphene Lighting – one of whose directors is Prof. Colin Bailey, deputy vice-chancellor at the University of Manchester.

It is expected to be priced lower than some LED bulbs.

Based on traditional light bulb design, the use of graphene allows it to conduct electricity and heat more effectively.

The discovery of graphene in 2004 by Andre Geim and Konstantin Novoselov, two Russian-born scientists at the University of Manchester, earned the pair the Nobel Prize for Physics and knighthoods.

A micro-thin layer of graphene is stronger than steel and it has been dubbed a “wonder material” because of its potential uses.

More than 35 companies worldwide have already partnered with Manchester University to develop projects.

The race is now on to develop other practical and commercial uses of graphene, including lighter but more robust car and aircraft frames and false teeth.

Graphene has already been incorporated into products including tennis rackets and skis.