MANCHESTER.- A major new exhibition, Wonder Materials: Graphene and Beyond, made its world premiere at the Museum of Science and Industry this month and tells the story of graphene, the world’s first two-dimensional material, which was isolated by scientists in Manchester. It is a flagship event of Manchester’s programme as European City of Science 2016.

This ground-breaking show combines science, art and history to reveal the inspiring story of this amazing material. Made from a single, one-atom layer of carbon, graphene is invisible to the naked eye but is one of the strongest, lightest and most conductive known materials and has the potential to change the world in a host of areas from energy and electronics to healthcare and mobile phones.

Wonder Materials features new specially commissioned art commissions by art collective Random International and acclaimed post Lemn Sissay MBE as well as documentary photography by PANOS, an immersive recreation of a white room which replicates one at the National Graphene Institute and a fascinating array of old and new objects which bring the graphene story to life.

It is accompanied by a year-round programme for adults, families and schools, including hands-on science events, evening science socials, in conversation events and creative workshops. The first of these are:

· Science in the City - Late (Wednesday 27 July, 7pm – 10.30pm, FREE) An adults-only night of live music and activities that explore the microscopic world of Nano materials, celebrating Science in the City week in Manchester. Following a four-day artistic residency, acclaimed composer Anna Meredith and a team of young female musicians will premiere The Hexagon Experiment, a new commission with Brighter Sound inspired by graphene and MSI’s Wonder Materials exhibition

· Platform for Investigation (Saturday 27 August, Museum of Science and Industry 10.30am – 3.30pm, FREE) Experts from the Museum of Science and Industry and exhibition partner the National Graphene Institute will lead a day of hands-on nanoscale activities. Participants will have a go at producing their own graphene, help to construct a layer of the wonder material across the Revolution Manchester gallery, and predict its future uses

· In conversation with Andre Geim (Thursday 29 September, Museum of Science and Industry, 7.30pm –9pm, FREE) A rare chance to hear the Nobel Prize-winning physicist talk about his life and work. Hosted by author, journalist and museum executive Roger Highfield, Professor Sir Andre Geim discusses his unique and creative approach to scientific research, from levitating frogs to the ground-breaking experiments that produced graphene, the 2D material which is paving the way to a range of wonder materials with extraordinary properties.

The exhibition is created by the Museum of Science and Industry, in partnership with the National Graphene Institute at the University of Manchester.