Graphite sample from Keswick, Cumbria. In 2004 Andre Geim and Konstantin (Kostya) Novoselov found a reliable and cheap method for obtaining monolayer graphene flakes from graphite, using scotch tape, which led to groundbreaking experiments for which the pair were awarded the Nobel Prize for Physics in 2010. After isolating graphene, Kostya Novoselov became interested in the history of graphite. He picked up this piece of graphite when walking in the hills near Borrowdale in the Lake District.

Graphite sample from Keswick, Cumbria. In 2004 Andre Geim and Konstantin (Kostya) Novoselov found a reliable and cheap method for obtaining monolayer graphene flakes from graphite, using scotch tape, which led to groundbreaking experiments for which the pair were awarded the Nobel Prize for Physics in 2010. After isolating graphene, Kostya Novoselov became interested in the history of graphite. He picked up this piece of graphite when walking in the hills near Borrowdale in the Lake District.

Tape dispenser and Scotch tape. In 2004 at the University of Manchester, Andre Geim and Konstantin Novoselov found a reliable and cheap method for obtaining monolayer graphene flakes from graphite, using this tape dispenser. The pair were awarded the Nobel Prize for Physics in 2010 for 'groundbreaking experiments regarding the two-dimensional material graphene'.

Sample of graphene obtained using Scotch sticky tape at the University of Manchester, showing multilayers, bilayers and monolayer thicknesses of graphene, 2004-2010.

Experimental handmade circuit on a yellow chip holder, made using monolayer graphene and silver epoxy, University of Manchester, 2004-2010. In 2004 Andre Geim and Konstantin Novoselov found a reliable and cheap method for obtaining monolayer graphene flakes from graphite, using scotch tape. After initially isolating graphene, Geim and Novoselov conducted experiments in their lab at the University of Manchester to explore the electrical properties of graphene. They found that graphene flakes can be used as transistors. They made hand-made circuits like this one, then more precisely made lithographically printed circuits. They went on to win the Nobel Prize in Physics in 2010 for their 'groundbreaking experiments regarding the two-dimensional material graphene'.

Experimental handmade circuit on a yellow chip holder, made using monolayer graphene and silver epoxy, University of Manchester, 2004-2010. In 2004 Andre Geim and Konstantin Novoselov found a reliable and cheap method for obtaining monolayer graphene flakes from graphite, using scotch tape. After initially isolating graphene, Geim and Novoselov conducted experiments in their lab at the University of Manchester to explore the electrical properties of graphene. They found that graphene flakes can be used as transistors. They made hand-made circuits like this one, then more precisely made lithographically printed circuits. They went on to win the Nobel Prize in Physics in 2010 for their 'groundbreaking experiments regarding the two-dimensional material graphene'. The writing on the box is almost illegible, but reads 'transferred graphene sample'.

Lithographically printed circuit, made using graphene, University of Manchester, 2004-2010. In 2004 Andre Geim and Konstantin Novoselov found a reliable and cheap method for obtaining monolayer graphene flakes from graphite, using scotch tape. After initially isolating graphene, Geim and Novoselov conducted experiments in their lab at the University of Manchester to explore the electrical properties of graphene. They found that graphene flakes can be used as transistors. They made hand-made circuits, then more precisely made lithographically printed circuits like this one. They went on to win the Nobel Prize in Physics in 2010 for their 'groundbreaking experiments regarding the two-dimensional material graphene'. Written on box - IDB-23 (1).

Lithographically printed circuit, made using graphene, University of Manchester, 2004-2010. In 2004 Andre Geim and Konstantin Novoselov found a reliable and cheap method for obtaining monolayer graphene flakes from graphite, using scotch tape. After initially isolating graphene, Geim and Novoselov conducted experiments in their lab at the University of Manchester to explore the electrical properties of graphene. They found that graphene flakes can be used as transistors. They made hand-made circuits, then more precisely made lithographically printed circuits like this one. They went on to win the Nobel Prize in Physics in 2010 for their 'groundbreaking experiments regarding the two-dimensional material graphene'. Written on box - DSL 14-3.