The £31m building project will create a national institute of graphene research and commercial development.

The new substance won its discoverers the Nobel Prize and is held out as one of the great finds of the 21st century.

Up to 200 times stronger than steel and just one atom thick, graphene is the strongest and thinnest material ever measured, and also the world’s most conductive material.

It has a wide range of potential uses, including electronics, flexible touch screens, sensors and in composite materials.

The Government is backing the building project, which it hopes will allow Britain to reap the commercial benefits of the discovery.

Enabling works, which are also out for tender, are due to start in the first quarter of next year, with main building work completing towards the end of 2014.

Further information about bidding is available from the tendering portal.

Contact: Steven Ho tel: 01612752785 or email: [email protected]