Getting the grants

Eight nanotechnology projects across the UK are to receive a total of £20million in new funding from the DTI, according to science minister Lord Sainsbury.

The grants, from the DTI’s micro- and nanotechnology (MNT) Capital Facilities Programme, will help build new manufacturing facilities.

The projects receiving the funding are: Bangor UK-LMC, which is developing precision laser processing; MicroBridge at Cardiff University, which is developing new methods for making LCDs and medical diagnostics; Bondcentre, which concentrates on bonding technologies for LEDs and display screens and BegBrokeNano at Oxford University, whose technologies allow accurate measurement and identification of nanoscale objects.

Money also went to UK-MNT-BNC at Imperial College, which develops medical diagnostic devices and drug delivery systems; MNT@Biocity, at Nottingham University, also working in the pharmaceutical, medical device and precision engineering sector; Semefabmems, which specialises in sensors for engine management, medical thermometers and microwave ovens; and Nano4ce at Queen Mary College, London, which produces nanotechnology-based stain-and scratch-resistant finishes for the fashion, construction and film industries.

The awards will help the government’s goal of making the UK a world centre for nanotechnology, says Sainsbury. ‘The UK has a world-class science base and we are committing record levels of funding in science and technology,’ he says. ‘This funding will play a vital part in developing a new network of micro and nanotechnology facilities, and help the UK turn cutting-edge ideas into business success.’