Chief scientific advisers will review coordination of nanotechnology research across government including research on safety issues. A new website will be launched to keep the public informed about government work on nanotechnologies.
A new Nanotechnologies Collaboration group will be formed to facilitate ongoing communication and collaboration between government, academia, industry and other interested parties. A new ministerially led Nanotechnologies Leadership group to address barriers to commercial growth in this area will also be established.
The global market in nanotechnologies is expected to grow from $2.3bn in 2007 to $81bn in 2015. They have potential in a range of areas – from environmental protection to healthcare.
Lord Drayson, science and innovation minister of the UK, said: “Nanotechnologies play a vital role in creating new medicines and providing safe drinking water in developing countries. This strategy is all about ensuring that the millions being spent on nanotech produce an industry as safe as it is profitable.”
