Survey Results Outline Importance of Nanotechnology and Provide Recommendations to Benefit the U.K.

TBx Consulting Ltd., and research partner NanoInk, Inc., a global leader in nanotechnology, announced the results of a landmark survey in which 46 leading research scientists were asked their opinions on future opportunities and challenges of nanotechnology research in the United Kingdom.

Among the key conclusions and recommendations drawn from the survey, many participants called nanotechnology an area of national importance and stressed the need for urgent action to streamline and overhaul the current methodology for developing new technologies. Authors, Dr. Thierry Bontoux of TBx Consulting and Tom Warwick of NanoInk, conducted the interviews and summarized the findings of the survey in a report titled, "U.K. Strategy for Nanotechnology."

According to the American-based National Science Foundation, nanotechnology will become a $1 trillion global market by 2015 and will require a skilled workforce of more than two million nanotechnologists. Currently there are only 20,000 nanotechnologists working in the field, which are pioneering innovations and breakthroughs in many industries including biotechnology, electronics, energy and medicine.

Commenting on the purpose of the study, Tom Warwick of NanoInk said, "Countries such as Russia, Germany, China and the U.S. are already shaping policies and making strategic investments in nanotechnology that will enable them to obtain significant economic benefits including technology innovations, revenue and job growth. We felt it important to consult the experts and draw attention to their recommendations on what the U.K. should be doing to capitalize on this opportunity, while helping to support its science and engineering base for future economic development."

"The results of the survey show that there are dire repercussions for the U.K. if it doesn't leverage its resource base and make strategic investments in nanotechnology now," added Dr. Thierry Bontoux of TBx Consulting. "If the U.K. does not move swiftly and build upon its initial research investments in this area, many experts believe that other nations will capitalize on the knowledge gained via U.K. research and use it to their benefit."