LONDON (AFP) - The British university where Andre Geim and Konstantin Novoselov conducted their pioneering work on graphene said it was "delighted" that they were awarded the Nobel Physics Prize Tuesday.

"This is fantastic news. We are delighted that Andre and Konstantin’s work on graphene has been recognised at the very highest level by the 2010 Nobel Prize Committee," said Nancy Rothwell, vice-chancellor of the University of Manchester in northwest England, where both Geim and Novoselov still work.

"This is a wonderful example of a fundamental discovery based on scientific curiosity with major practical, social and economic benefits for society."

The two scientists, who both studied in Russia before beginning work together in the Netherlands, developed graphene at the university in 2004.

It is a form of carbon that Geim has described as a "wonder material" and promises to revolutionise semiconductor, sensor and display technology.

The Nobel laureates were not immediately available for comment.