The world of 2D materials research is facing a reproducibility crisis, and it's time to take action. Graphene, a revolutionary material with remarkable strength and electrical conductivity, has sparked a wave of other 2D materials like hexagonal boron nitride and molybdenum disulfide. However, these materials are finicky to work with, and researchers often struggle to replicate results, slowing down industrial translation. A group of experts from academia, industry, and funding bodies has stepped up to address this issue, proposing a system for reporting experimental conditions in much greater detail to help close the reproducibility gap. This is a crucial step forward, as it could save time and resources for researchers and companies alike. The guidelines, known as the STEP (Standardized Template for Experimental Procedures) method, aim to capture the tacit knowledge that researchers often share with lab colleagues but do not necessarily commit to paper. This approach could stimulate technology transfer by making it easier for companies to adopt and scale up methods developed in academia. However, the challenge lies in persuading enough stakeholders to implement these measures. The Reproducibility Charter (ReChart) initiative, endorsed by funding managers and publishers, could provide the necessary push. By making reproducibility goals more prominent in funding proposals and published papers, ReChart could encourage researchers to focus on the most critical elements of their methods and potentially reveal areas for improvement. The impact of this effort could extend beyond 2D materials research, as the STEP method can be useful in many different fields related to nanofabrication and clean room work. It's time for the research community to embrace this change and work towards a more reproducible future.
