Organization will work to promote the development and
commercialization of graphene and graphene-enabled products
BUFFALO, N.Y., April 18, 2013 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- A new non-profit
organization was launched this month to promote the responsible
development and commercialization of graphene and graphene-enabled
products. The Graphene Stakeholders Association (GSA) is 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 will
serve as co-Executive Directors of the GSA.
The Nobel Prize in Physics was awarded in 2010 to Dr. Andre Geim and
Dr. Konstantin Novoselov for their discovery of graphene. Since that
time, graphene has emerged as one of the most promising materials ever
discovered -- one that has the potential to play a vital role in the
development of advanced technologies in key industry segments,
including computing, electronics, energy, defense, health care,
telecommunications, and transportation. The GSA was created to foster
graphene-based education, technical collaboration, scientific exchange,
and value and job creation through successful commercialization. It is
envisioned that GSA members will be part of a premier network that
joins all major graphene stakeholders -- researchers, government
agencies, producer, and user companies -- around the world.
The GSA seeks broad membership that includes graphene researchers,
universities, government labs and agencies, emerging and established
corporations engaged in exploring this unique material and its
commercialization. "We are excited about the launch of the GSA and look
forward to creating a diverse and dynamic organization that can help
develop graphene and graphene-enabled products in the months and years
ahead," stated GSA co-founder, Stephen Waite. Mr. Waite notes that the
GSA is the process of assembling a world-class advisory board that
includes thought leaders from academia, corporations and various
government agencies. "We have received great feedback thus far and
recruited some talented members to our Advisory Board," says Waite.
GSA Advisory Board member, Jon Myers, CEO and Founder of Graphene
Technologies(TM), welcomed the creation of the association and stated:
"The GSA is exactly what I have been saying in recent speeches that our
industry needs. As an industry, we have the opportunity to rise
together and the risk that we underperform if we fail to collaborate."
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.
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.