China's President Xi Jinping (C) tours the National Graphene Institute at Manchester University with Chancellor George Osborne, in Manchester, Britain Oct 23, 2015.[Photo/Agencies]

Things you need to know about NGI on Xi's UK itinerary

The National Graphene Institute (NGI) is a British research center at the University of Manchester that studies graphene.

The 61 million pound （$93.8 million）institute is funded by the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council and the European Regional Development Fund. It is a place for industry partners and university academics to work side by side on emerging graphene applications.

Graphene, the world's first 2D material, has captured the attention of scientists, researchers and industry worldwide since its isolation in 2004 for its great research and applicative value.

The center will be showcasing its groundbreaking research to Chinese President Xi Jinping on Friday, and in particular the work carried out in partnership with the BGT Materials, formerly known as Bluestone Global Tech, a major Chinese manufacturer of graphene.

BGT invested 5 million pounds ($7.7 million) in 2013 to open a R&D center at the institute to develop new graphene related products, the first strategic partnership of the NGI.