UK Nanotech Firms develop global vision

[nanoorg]

UK Nanotech Firms develop global vision


UK Nanotechnology companies will be showcasing their talents at a world-class exhibition in London this month.

UK NanoForum 2007 will bring together more than 130 international delegates with 50 UK exhibitors and 200 UK delegates for them to see exactly what the UK nanotechnology industry and academia has to offer. The 50 UK exhibitors will present some of their latest advances in UK nanotechnology.

Professor Clive Roberts, of the University of Nottingham’s Nanotechnology and Nanoscience Centre, said: “Building upon excellence in fundamental nanoscience, the technology transfer of nanotechnology from academia to industry is a real strength of Nottingham, with successes in healthcare and nanomaterials. We are very proud of the recognition of two Queens Awards for Enterprise in Innovation awarded to the School of Pharmacy and a University spin-out for their applications of nanotechnology. We aim to build on this through increasing our breadth and depth of interaction with industry. UK NanoForum is an excellent opportunity to do just that.”

Among some of the exhibitors is Imperial College, London. They are working on breakthroughs in green building, health care and energy. Scientists there have already developed coatings for metals to prevent them rusting. They are also working on so-called “scaffolds” that can be injected into the human body and will provide a frame to help bone regenerate.

John Cass, from Imperial College, said: “Imperial are excited to be present at UK NanoForum, we are proud to be able to share the exciting nanotechnology research happening here and looking forward to meeting partners for future research collaborations"

The UK nanotechnology industry is one of the fastest growing and most innovative in the world and is forecast to grow by 44 per cent over the next 12 to 15 years . It contributes an estimated £23billion per year to the UK economy and there are more than 1400 companies operating in nanotechnology, many of which are university spin-outs.

Following UK NanoForum, many of the International delegates will undertake a tour of the UK, seeing for themselves research being developed at Cranfield University, Cambridge University and Norwich Business Park; Begbroke Science Park, the University of Oxford’s physics department, QinetiQ and Birmingham University.

Also at the Forum will be the Universities of Oxford, Portsmouth, Sheffield, York and Nottingham as well as Imperial College, London.

The International community is represented by delegates from over 20 nations, and include firms such as I-CanNano, Tata Steel and Tata Chemicals from India, Fujitsu and Olympus from Japan and Samsung and LG Electronics from South Korea. Many universities are also attending in the hope of forming tie-ups with UK Universities and companies. They include the University of Shanghai, Seoul National University and the University of Helsinki.

Lord Digby Jones of Birmingham, Minister of State for Trade and Investment, said: “Some foreign companies have already discovered the benefits of working with the UK nanotech industry.

“Among the international delegates coming to the conference are representatives from universities and companies from all over the world. They will see the very best that UK Nanotech has to offer.

“Earlier this year the British and Indian Governments initiated a Joint Economic Trade Committee (JETCO) Nanotechnology Working Group to share understanding and accelerate bilateral progress in this exciting field.

“British firms can benefit from taking advantage of international research in developed and high-growth markets. International visitors to this exhibition will see the benefits of forming partnerships in this field of science. Bringing them together like this will be dynamic and exciting.”

www.uknanoforum2007.com