Nanotechnology – a growing influence

Few industries will not be affected by the influence of nanotechnology.

It is about new ways of making things.

It promises more for less: smaller, cheaper, lighter and faster devices with greater functionality, using less raw material and consuming less energy.

Faster computers, biocompatible materials, surface coatings, catalysts, sensors and telecommunications are just some examples of where nanotechnology has been embraced.

New technologies are essential to economic success and may provide the solution to many medical, social and environmental problems.

Early evaluation of nano-innovations and their future market potential is vital in order for industry to play an active role in shaping future markets.

UK becomes nanotech leader

The UK had an early interest in nanotechnology, with a Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) National Nanotechnology Initiative (NION) announced in 1986, followed in 1988 by a four-year LINK Nanotechnology programme.

The final tranche of funding for LINK projects was handed out in 1996.

After this time there was no national strategy for nanotechnology in the UK, although dispersed research involving nanoscale science continued to be funded.

In 2004, the European Commission unveiled its action plan for nanotechnology, stating that European excellence in nanosciences must finally be translated into commercially viable products and processes.

This plan also called for a favourable environment for innovation to be created, in particular for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).

The UK has now become one of the European leaders in nanotechnology investment.

A vision document on NanoMedicine written by 45 industrial companies and other stakeholders was presented to the public on 6 September 2005 at EuroNanoforum 2005, a large conference focusing on NanoMedicine.

The CEOs of Philips Medical Systems (Dr Karvinen) and of Siemens Medical Solutions (Prof Reinhardt) have together taken over the chairmanship of this platform.

The UK has now become one of the European leaders in nanotechnology investment.

£90m fund drives UK research

By 2002, the former Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) was dedicating approximately £30m to nanoscale research, on top of existing funding for subject-specific research councils.

This figure, however, is dwarfed by the new UK Micro Nanotechnology (MNT) initiative.

In early 2005, the DTI allocated £15m funding for 25 projects, ranging from anti-corrosion coatings and electronics to water purification and printing.

This investment provided up to a maximum of 50% of each project’s total value.

A further £3m was given to INEX, a microsystems and nanotechnology facility for industry based in Newcastle.

These grants were the first to be allocated from the government’s £90m MNT initiative in support of both nanotechnology-applied research programmes, and for the creation of new nanotechnology facilities across the country.

Further grants are available over the next five years to complete the initiative.

UK policy

On 29 July 2004, the Royal Society with the Royal Academy of Engineering published a report called Nanoscience and Nanotechnologies: Opportunities and Uncertainties.

The report illustrates the fact that nanotechnologies offer many benefits both now and in the future, but that public debate is needed about their development.

This report offered many recommendations in the areas of industrial application, environmental impact, public dialogue, and the responsible development of nanotechnologies.

The UK government responded on 25 February 2005 and recognises the importance of ensuring nanotechnologies are appropriately regulated.

However, no new funding for the essential research required to underpin this regulation has been announced.

The government has made an important commitment to a public dialogue on nanotechnologies, which will inform both the direction of research and development and progress on regulation.

The academies have suggested that this programme of dialogue be developed in consultation with relevant stakeholders, including industry and non-governmental organisations.

The government has made an important commitment to a public dialogue on nanotechnologies.

The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) recently launched a consultation on a Voluntary Reporting Scheme for Engineered Nanoscale Materials.

The scheme is designed to enable DEFRA to build evidence in a way that will allow an informed decision about the nature of appropriate controls. It will be reviewed every six months and run for an initial period of two years.

Also, the Royal Commission on Environmental Pollution will conduct a study on the environmental effects of novel materials.

Industry support

UK plc is involved in the commercialisation and/ or R&D of nanotechnology in areas such as aerospace and defence, automotive, energy, ICT, healthcare and medical devices, and biotech & pharma.

Companies such as PsiMedica, which is developing nanoporous silicon for drug delivery, Thomas Swan, which is manufacturing single-walled nanotubes and QinetiQ Nanomaterials, which is taking a look at how to combat bird flu with nanoparticles, are making the UK proud and they are all well on their way to making new innovative products.

Also supporting industry is the UK Micro and Nanotechnology Network, which was established by BERR and the 12 Regional Development Agencies and Devolved Administrations to provide a market-orientated focus for the facilities, people and organisations engaged in Micro and Nanotechnologies in the UK.

The network is helping to lower entry barriers and drive the widespread market development and exploitation of these technologies, building a prosperous, world-class MNT sector in the UK.

BERR has also set up business support platforms called Knowledge Transfer Networks, which have been devised to help UK business prosper and grow.