2022-10-04
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Volunteer runners are set to break-in their new and innovative graphene-enhanced trainers to help launch COP27.
Joe Wilson, Nathan Lumb and Dr Paul Wiper were asked to run past their workplace, the Graphene Engineering Innovation Centre (GEIC), based at The University of Manchester, as part of the Running Out of Time event, a 7,000km non-stop relay from Glasgow – which hosted the COP 26 climate change conference – to Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt, which will stage the follow-up COP 27 summit.
The team, named the Graphene Harriers, will set off on their 11 km section at 5.40BST on Monday (3 October).
“Nothing beats running first thing in the morning (even 5am!). It sets the rest of the day in the right path and it’s a great feeling, getting your exercise done before most people who are now starting their day,” said Joe Wilson, Reception and Administrative Assistant at the GEIC.
The GEIC is a milestone on the Running Out of Time route because of the pioneering applications of the nanomaterial graphene into a diverse range of net zero applications, including sustainable building materials, lightweighting, next-gen battery technologies and improved recyclability of materials.
The trio are wearing inov-8 running shoes – featuring award-winning tech developed with the National Graphene Institute at The University of Manchester to improve wear and comfort. This technology has recently been sthortlisted for a national ‘Best of the Best’ Innovate UK award.
The team will begin their part of the relay from the graphene-enhanced concrete ‘living lab’ outside the GEIC, made from emission-busting Concretene, which has shown in trial pours the ability to remove up to 30% of CO2 from floor-slab applications.
“As team we are all very aware that we are in a race against time in finding solutions that will help tackle climate change. We are therefore very proud to play our part in the Running Out of Time relay challenge and to help in delivering a message on climate change to key decision-makers." Dr Paul Wiper, Applications Manager.
Nathan Lumb, a project manager who was part of team that raised the PO and wrote the contract for Concretene, agreed: “It’s a good example of GEIC teamwork, and not just those of us running – it’s created conversations in the office. It demonstrates the work that we are all doing towards better solutions.”
COP 27 in Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt, will run from 6 to 18 November. Egypt's presidency vision is “to move from negotiations and planning to implementation - now is the time for action on the ground”.
Read the original article on University of Manchester.