Progress in commercialising micro-nanotechnology in the UK

At COMS2005, UK Government representatives reported on the development of the UK Micro-Nanotechnology (MNT) Network and its activities in implementing a commercialisation strategy. The UK is a significant European player and force in MNT commercialisation involving over 700 organisations, many of whom are seeking business partnerships in the global supply chain. The connection of the new open access technology centres to the wider international community is of strategic importance if they are to benefit from the rapidly growing markets for MNT products. Since its inception in 2004, the MNT network has set up a web-based communications forum, an MNT directory, established an MNT quality mark for companies, a number of specialised focused groups, produced an industrial map showing the locations and capabilities of UK organisations and contributed to a national strategy document for commercialisation. In this presentation the UK approach to the development of a commercialisation infrastructure involving the Government, the Regional Development Agencies and industry will be given together with an outline of current progress in implementing the programme.