Professor Sir Konstantin Novoselov is a visionary physicist whose pioneering work has reshaped modern material science and established him as a global leader in condensed matter physics. Born in August 1974 in Nizhny Tagil, Russia, he earned his Master's degree from the Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology in 1997 before completing his PhD at Radboud University Nijmegen in the Netherlands. He currently serves as Director of the Institute for Functional Intelligent Materials and Tan Chin Tuan Centennial Professor at the National University of Singapore, while holding the position of part-time Langworthy Professor of Physics and Royal Society Research Professor at the University of Manchester, in addition to his appointments in Singapore. Knighted in the 2012 New Year Honours for services to science, he holds dual British and Russian citizenship and has been instrumental in establishing major research centers dedicated to two-dimensional materials.
Novoselov's groundbreaking co-discovery of graphene with Andre Geim at the University of Manchester in 2004 represents one of the most significant scientific breakthroughs of the 21st century, earning them the Nobel Prize in Physics in 2010. This single-atom-thick carbon material exhibits extraordinary mechanical strength, thermal conductivity, and electrical properties that have revolutionized multiple scientific disciplines. His research has yielded over 320 peer-reviewed publications including more than 25 papers in Nature and Science, with his work consistently ranking among the most highly cited in the world since 2014. The isolation of graphene using a remarkably simple approach involving adhesive tape demonstrated the power of reductionist thinking in scientific discovery and sparked global innovation across electronics, medicine, and environmental technology.
Beyond his Nobel-winning work, he was the founding director of the National Graphene Institute in Manchester and is no longer serving in that role, which opened in 2015 as the UK's focal point for graphene research. His research continues to advance environmental applications of two-dimensional materials, addressing pressing global challenges through practical scientific solutions. Uniquely blending scientific inquiry with artistic expression, he has incorporated graphene ink into his artwork, collaborating with renowned artists while expanding the functional boundaries of traditional Chinese painting. As he leads the development of next-generation intelligent materials at the National University of Singapore, his interdisciplinary approach continues to bridge fundamental physics with real-world applications, demonstrating his unwavering commitment to translating scientific discoveries into tangible benefits for humanity.
