During the preparation of the Graphene Flagship project an initial Science & Technology Roadmap was elaborated and published in 2015. In parallel, the second phase of the roadmap process started in 2014, when the Graphene Flagship assigned Fraunhofer ISI with the mission to add market perspective covering the full breadth of conceivable GRM applications of graphene and related 2D materials. A first full version of the roadmap has been elaborated and provided to the Graphene Flagship community (https://graphene-flagship.eu/media/8d8b608417ad020/d15-1_tir_jan2017.pdf). It considers 4 main topics (special biomedical applications, electronics and photonics, energy generation and storage, composites, bulk applications and coatings) with 18 subtopics and about 84 application areas covering nearly all industrial sectors. During the roadmapping a broad range of available ressources such as existing roadmaps, market reports, strategic documents, data bases were analysed. In addition, interviews with industrial stakeholders and 2 roadmapping workshops with all in all more than 80 participants were carried out. The roadmapping document with a total size of more than 500 pages contains for each of the 18 subtopics detailed market analyses, technology analyses, key performance indicators, roadmaps and conclusions.
The development of the Graphene Flagship from basic scientific discoveries to generating societal benefits and economic impact is also reflected in the evolution of the of the roadmapping process.
In 2017, Fraunhofer ISI entered into the third phase of the TIR process that persists today. The goal shifted towards further depth of analysis, in particular regarding opportunities and bottlenecks for wider diffusion of GRM based innovations. For that purpose very specific utilization scenarios including the full path towards final products were elaborated by a specifically designed innovation interface investigation (3I) mechanism which allows the implementation of this value-chain based approach. This concept has been published recently in 2D Materials (Graphene Roadmap Briefs (No. 1)).
Current work concentrates on detailed focus investigations of most promising value chains where graphene or other 2D materials may provide unique selling propositions. Examples include improved batteries or supercapacitors, novel solar cells, photonic data communication, biosensors, neural interfaces, anti-corrosion coatings, and water treatment.
The monitoring of the international state-of-the-art indicates that graphene and related materials is a research area with a very strong international dynamics. The international research landscape is increasingly influenced by research activities in China. There is not only a very high number of publications from China. They are also of high quality as measured by citation indicators. Europe is playing an important role internationally at a similar level as the United States. Also the landscape of potential applications of graphene and related materials has been expanding considerably. The analysis indicates that graphene and related materials are getting increasingly interesting for economic purposes.
Fraunhofer-Institut für System- und Innovationsforschung ISI