Technology Diffusion

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Technology Diffusion Nanotechnology Networking in
the UK FEAST Workshop 4, November 14th
2003 Ottilia Saxl CEO, Institute of
Nanotechnology



















http//www.nano.org.uk
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Institute of Nanotechnology

• Background
• Networking
• Achievements
• Conclusions

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• 1997 Institute of Nanotechnology
• Virtual organisation. Cheap, impressive,
  convenient
• Day 1 Large Advisory Board
• academia, industry
• Observers
• Government DTI), research councils (BBSRC, EPSRC)
  
• Focus on developing database of email contacts

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• Networking Activities
• The Advisory Board
• Events (mixing disciplines, nationalities) e.g
• Nanoelectronics - Applications for Industry
  (Zurich) Advances in Diagnostic and Analytical
  Techniques The Surgery Room of the 21st
  Century Nanobiotechnology and Life Extension
  (London) Investing in Nanotechnology
  (London).
• Building contacts and goodwill. Discipline no
  barrier.

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UK Government commissions ahead of strategy

• March 2001 Fact-finding Nanotechnology Missions
  to USA and Germany (mixing companies and
  academics).
• 2002 UK Nanotechnology Advisory Group
• Summer 2002 UK Nanotechnology Benchmarking
  Exercise
• October 2002 Nanofacilities / Centres Mission
  W Coast USA.
• report published

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• 2002 Outcome of the John Taylor Report
• urgent creation of 2 Nanofabrication Centres!
• But, - hard information still needed
• What is UK industry really doing? UK
  NanoLandscape study
• What does a successful lab / centre look like?
  European Model Nanotechnology Centres - IMEC,
  Belgium Leti / Minatec, France NMRC, Ireland
  CFN ION Karlsruhe MIC, Denmark.

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• Today
• UK embarking on NMT Strategy
• Funding for research
• Funding for facilities
• New formal MNT network created linking UK regions

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• IoN now
• A corporate, professional and lay membership base
  of over 6,000 worldwide
• Organisers of successful nanotechnology
  conferences across Europe on leading edge topics
  - informing Government, industry, the public.
• Establishment of informative, prize-winning
  website http//www.nano.org.uk (over 1m hits /
  month)
• Actively links research and industry

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• Provision of intelligence for Government and
  blue-chip industry clients
• Lead partner in 2.7 million European
  nanonetwork, Nanoforum.
• Many publications and reports, e.g
  Nanotechnology Size Matters. Building a
  Successful Nanotechnology Company - with 3i.
  What is Nanotechnology? CD - distributed to
  schools and industry (UK, Ireland, Italy)
• New initiative to support nano start-ups (NMC)

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Recent networking conferences and events.
Nanotechnology and Biomimetics (Workshop)
What is Nanotechnology? Investing in
Nanotechnology 2 (webcast) Nanotechnology
meets Business Nanotechnology and Crime
Prevention Nanomaterials and Smart Medical
Devices (in December). Nanoforum events
organized by IoN
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• Conclusions from the IoN experience
• Informal networking can work and have a major
  impact
• Location need not be a barrier (international
  companies are networking across the globe to
  develop better products)
• Products are by definition multidisciplinary
  networking should also bring together unlikely
  bedfellows

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• Conclusions from Nanoforum, EU Nano network
• Formal networking works where funding exists, and
  members have targets to meet. Results sharing
  best practice, short circuit learning
• Location need not be a barrier!
• Effective networking - research s go further
  (1m in Taiwan or Korea buys much more RD!)

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Thank You!







Molecular abacus - the worlds smallest
calculator Jim Gimzewski, Guinness Book of
Records 2001











http//www.nano.org.uk