Driving U.S. Preeminence in Graphene Innovation: Professor James Tour’s Urgent Call to Action

With a fervent call to action, Professor James Tour, a distinguished figure in Chemistry, Materials Science, and NanoEngineering at Rice University, delivered a compelling speech to Congress in 2017, igniting a discourse on the critical importance of graphene in securing U.S. preeminence in advanced materials.

“A nanomaterial cannot merely be sprinkled like pixy-dust into a composite or device to show beneficial behavior.  But with persistence and investment, the advances can be realized.“

Graphene, hailed as a revolutionary material, is a single-atom-thick sheet of graphite resembling chicken-wire at the atomic scale. Professor Tour’s impassioned plea resonates as he unveils his extensive contributions to graphene research, boasting an impressive portfolio of research publications and patents, positioning him as a leading figure in the field. However, despite his accolades, Professor Tour warns of the alarming decline in U.S. leadership in graphene research and production capabilities, urging for immediate action to prevent ceding this strategic asset to foreign competitors. As the landscape of innovation shifts, with China emerging as a formidable contender in graphene patents, Professor Tour advocates for bold initiatives to revitalize U.S. dominance. With visionary recommendations for federal investment, corporate incentives, and immigration reform, Professor Tour paints a hopeful future where the U.S. reclaims its position at the forefront of graphene innovation, surpassing its global counterparts with resolute determination and strategic foresight.

“The number of graphene patents rose rapidly during the last 5 years. In 2015 it surpassed the cumulative patent pool of ten related main groups of technologies. That means that the country that dominates in graphene will dominate in high technology advanced materials for decades to come. It’s now like a space-race!”

Professor James Tour’s impassioned speech to Congress in 2017 was accompanied by three pivotal recommendations aimed at revitalizing U.S. leadership in graphene research and innovation. Firstly, he proposed the initiation of a $200 million per year program over four years, administered through standard federal science funding agencies. These multi-investigator programs, allocated at $7 million per year, would require strong university and corporate partner matching, leveraging federal funds to produce exponential results in dedicated facilities, equipment, and personnel.

Secondly, he advocated for the retention of start-up companies within the U.S. by reducing the corporate tax rate to 15%, thereby incentivizing businesses to remain in the country. The theory behind this is that a lower tax rate would contribute to increased capital held by companies. Thereby, accelerating their rate of investment.

Lastly, Professor Tour urged for the streamlining of the Green-Card process for scientists and engineers who obtain their PhDs in the U.S., recognizing the invaluable contributions of international talent to America’s scientific landscape. These recommendations, if implemented, hold the promise of propelling the United States to the forefront of graphene innovation and reclaiming its position as a global leader in advanced materials research and development.

While specific programs or policy changes directly mirroring Professor James Tour’s recommendations may not have been implemented in response to his speech, there have been broader initiatives and policies aimed at bolstering research and innovation in advanced materials, including graphene. Some examples include:

1. Federal Funding Initiatives: The U.S. government has continued to allocate funding through agencies such as the National Science Foundation (NSF), Department of Energy (DOE), and Department of Defense (DOD) to support research in emerging technologies, including graphene. While not explicitly matching Professor Tour’s proposed $200 million per year program, these agencies have invested in multi-disciplinary research efforts, collaborative projects, and infrastructure development to advance materials science and nanotechnology.
2. Corporate Tax Reform: While corporate tax rates have not been reduced to the extent suggested by Professor Tour, there have been periodic discussions and legislative efforts to reform corporate taxation in the United States. The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017, for example, reduced the corporate tax rate from 35% to 21%, aiming to stimulate economic growth and incentivize businesses to invest and operate in the U.S.
3. Immigration Policy: While comprehensive reforms to the Green-Card process for scientists and engineers may not have materialized, there have been ongoing debates and discussions regarding immigration policies affecting skilled workers and researchers. Efforts to streamline visa processes for high-skilled immigrants and international students graduating from U.S. universities have been proposed periodically, although significant changes have yet to be enacted.
4. Technology Transfer and Commercialization: The government has supported initiatives to facilitate the translation of research innovations into commercial products and services. Programs such as the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) programs provide funding opportunities for small businesses, including those in the advanced materials sector, to develop and commercialize innovative technologies.

While these initiatives may not directly mirror Professor Tour’s recommendations, they represent broader efforts to support research, innovation, and entrepreneurship in the United States. Moving forward, continued collaboration between academia, industry, and government will be crucial in driving advances in graphene and other advanced materials, ensuring U.S. competitiveness in the global innovation landscape.