What it's about:

The particular structure of graphite was already known in the beginning of the 20th century, but it took until 2004 and a piece of adhesive tape for André Geim to produce this one-atom-thick layer of matter.

Wikipedia

Discovery Description:

Konstantin Novoselov and André Geim were able to obtain graphene from graphite. Graphene is a one carbon atom layered material that has unthinkable mechanical properties.

In Numbers:

1000km/s

Speed of elecrons in graphene.
90%

Resistance rate of graphene to electromagnetic waves.
600Billion

Cost, today, of one square meter of graphene
200x

More resistant than steel.

Where?

André Geim, Konstantin Novoselov

Born on October 21 1958 in Sotchi, Russia, he is rejected twice from the Institut of Physics and Technology of Moscow before being accepted. Confronted with the difficulties of scientific research in his country, he leaves Russia and finally becomes associate professor in Nijmegen in the Netherlands, where he will take the dutch nationality. He becomes professor at the University of Manchester in 2001, where he will make his discovery on graphene.

Konstantin Novoselov was born in August 1974 in Nijni Taguil in the USSR. He started working with André Geim in the Netherlands and followed him to the University of Manchester.

They jointly obtained the Nobel Prize in 2010 for their discovery of graphene in graphite.

Applications:

Physics:

Permitted the fabrication of carbon nano-tubes.
Electronics:

Extremely conductive, graphene could be used in a new generation of transistors.
Mecanics:

Graphene's structure makes it much more resistant to electromagnetic waves. It could be used to make specific wifi zones.
Tech:

Probable utilization in flexible displays.