Nanotechnology projects win £15 million funding from DTI

Twenty five projects are to receive £15 million worth of funding for projects ranging from anti-corrosion coatings and electronics to water purification and printing. This new investment will provide up to a maximum of 50% of each project's total value.

A further £3 millionn will be given to INEX, a microsystems and nanotechnology facility for industry based at Newcastle.

These grants are the first to be allocated from the Government's £90 milliom micro and nanotechnology manufacturing initiative in support of both nanotechnology applied research programmes and for the creation of new nanotechnology facilities across the country. Further grants will be made available over the next five years to complete the initiative.

The grants are part of the Government's drive to help companies, research organisations and universities to exploit potential applications for the new technology so that the UK can be a leading country in this area. It's estimated that the global market for nanotechnology could be $1trillion within the next decade.

Announcing the grants, DTI Minister Nigel Griffiths said:

"Nanotechnology is an important and exciting emerging technology one that has the capacity to improve daily life for us all. It is about designing new products and improving existing ones by making things much smaller, faster, stronger, or more energy efficient.

"We want to help organisations turn ideas into reality, helping create jobs and prosperity for companies in the UK. These grants will form part of a range of Government schemes to support this important growth area"

The Government's micro and nanotechnology manufacturing initiative was announced by Lord Sainsbury last year.

Other Government programmes in support of the UK's nanotechnology industry include:

> £70 million from Research Councils for a wide range of activities including two cross-Council Interdisciplinary Research Collaborations (IRCs) in nanotechnology and the Basic Technology Research Programme.

> setting up the UK Micro and Nanotechnology Network (UK MNT Network) responsible for raising awareness in UK industry and helping them move into this sector

Speaking on behalf of the UK Micro and Nanotechnology Network, chairman Dr Hugh Clare said:

"The commercial exploitation of nanotechnologies presents a great opportunity for UK business. A well funded and supported nanotechnology sector means more high quality research, more sustainable jobs and increased wealth creation.

"The MNT network is working closely with industry, government and academia to create a robust sector. These grants and those to follow will make a big difference to the industry and help us ensure that the UK becomes a world leader in the field."

The UK Micro and Nanotechnology Network was set up following recommendations in the report "New Dimensions for Manufacturing - A UK Strategy for Nanotechnology" submitted to Lord Sainsbury by Dr John Taylor, Chairman of the UK Advisory Group on Nanotechnology Applications in June 2002. The aim of the UK MNT Network is create a robust MNT infrastructure for the benefit of the UK MNT industrial and academic community, and to enable the whole of UK industry to benefit from utilising this technology in a timely fashion to compete in the global market place. Dr Hugh Clare was appointed MNT Network Director on January 1st 2004.

In June 2003, Science Minister Lord Sainsbury commissioned the Royal Society and the Royal Academy of Engineering to conduct an independent study into the environmental, health and safety, ethical and social implications of nanotechnology, and to suggest areas where additional regulation should be considered. The study was published on 29 July 2004. The Government will respond in the autumn.

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