This new development by the University of Manchester, a Graphene Flagship member, could lead to the reduction of CO2 emissions associated with heavy water production in nuclear plants by up to a million tonnes each year. The researchers estimate that this demonstrated energy efficiency could make industrial production of these graphene filters for nuclear power plants highly cost- and energy-effective. According to Nobel prize laureate Andre Geim, "this technology can economically transform the environmental footprint of future nuclear plants".