Nanotechnology Strategic Advisor
Lead Research Organisation:
University of Oxford
Department Name: Mathematical & Physical Sciences Div
Abstract
Nanotechnology is an emerging area which has a great deal of promise in areas such as medicine, sustainable energy, environmental remediation, new functional materials and information technology. As an inherently interdisciplinary field, much work needs to be done in helping the research community work together and in coordinating the efforts of the research councils and other agencies. The RCUK Senior Advisor for Nanotechnology will lead and manage the implementation of nanotechnology strategy, and will act as an advocate for nanotechnology and RCUK in the UK and abroad. The Senior Advisor will also engage with bodies investigating the safety and regulatory issues of nanotechnology.
Planned Impact
A wide cross-section of UK industry, including the IT, chemicals, materials, energy, environmental, healthcare and pharmaceutical sectors, should benefit from having a more coherent approach to supporting nanotechnology research and from ensuring that research priorities are aligned to societal and economic needs.
Organisations
People |
ORCID iD |
| Peter Dobson (Principal Investigator) |
| Description | This was an advisory role to try and coordinate nanotechnology across all of the research councils and to link in to DEFRA and BIS. It was also to oversee three Nanotechnology Grand Challenges in Solar Energy, Healthcare and Carbon capture and utilisation. All of these objectives were well met and a nanotechnology Strategic Forum was created, chaired by the Ministers responsible for BIS and DEFRA |
| Exploitation Route | One major outcome was the success of "stage-gating" to help assess if and how further funding from other agencies could be used to take forwards the translation of RCUK-funded grants. This still needs support and someone to take this forwards following my tenure on the grant. |
| Sectors | Aerospace, Defence and Marine,Agriculture, Food and Drink,Chemicals,Creative Economy,Digital/Communication/Information Technologies (including Software),Education,Electronics,Energy,Environment,Healthcare,Manufacturing, including Industrial Biotechology,Pharmaceuticals and Medical Biotechnology,Transport |
| Description | Much of the momentum has been lost because of two factors: The re-organisation of the KTNs and loss of one that deals specifically with Nanotehnology. The lack of any successor to help follow through the stage-gating process. It is not clear if that will be rectified. |
| First Year Of Impact | 2009 |
| Sector | Aerospace, Defence and Marine,Agriculture, Food and Drink,Chemicals,Education,Electronics,Energy,Environment,Healthcare,Manufacturing, including Industrial Biotechology,Pharmaceuticals and Medical Biotechnology |
| Impact Types | Cultural,Economic |