Top British Nanofirms Win Business Innovation Awards

Three top British nanotechnology firms whose innovations make solar cells more efficient, help in the fight against heart disease, and improve the production of fine chemical compounds won Business Innovation Awards at the UK NanoForum & Emerging Technologies Conference 2009 held in London, (November 3rd-4th). The two-day event, which drew more than 450 delegates from the UK and overseas, is hosted by the Nanotechnology Knowledge Transfer Network (NanoKTN) and UK Trade & Investment (UKTI).

Lord Davies of Abersoch, the Minister for Trade, Investment and Small Business, commented: "Here in the UK we have a truly first-class record of innovation. The country’s most forwardthinking companies are helping to shape the future and secure our future prosperity. I am determined that the UK should remain a world leader in innovation. With the support of UK Trade & Investment, this event provides a platform for trailblazers who want to take their business to the world."

Baroness Valentine, Chief Executive of London First, who presented the awards, added: "I congratulate the winners on their success. London is home to more of the world’s top universities than any other city. The UK as a
whole has four of the world’s top six, and they typically spin out around 200 companies a year. Whilst London is best defined as a global talent hub, it can also be described as the world’s largest science park, with financial and legal advice close at hand." Promethean Particles from Nottingham won the Materials and devices category for the development and manufacture of dispersed high specification inorganic nanoparticles, with applications in green energy storage, such as more efficient solar cells, and healthcare. Accepting the award, Sandy Gordon, commented: "This is great recognition of our achievements. We already have customers
overseas, but this award will increase our profile."

University College London (UCL) Centre and Regenerative Medicine won the Lifesciences and Healthcare award for its surgical implant using nanocomposites and stem cell technology, which will make a highly positive impact on a new generation of heart valve substitutes and coronary artery bypass grafts. Professor Alexander Seifalian, said: "I’m extremely pleased at this recognition for University College London and our team. I hope this will help push our medical implant forward by commercialisation."

AM Technology, from Runcorn in Cheshire, took the Energy and Environment accolade with its new flow reactor for the continuous manufacture of chemical compounds for the pharmaceutical industry, which looks set to drastically improve manufacturing yields for the UK. AM Technology’s Robert Ashe, commented: "We are extremely grateful to UKTI and NanoKTN. As a small company, this recognition can only help to raise our profile."

The winners will all be presented with funds to assist them to attend and take part in an overseas nanotechnology event.

Director of the NanoKTN, Alec Reader adds, "Widespread commercial uptake of emerging technologies is vital to the wealth-creating power of the UK, and nanotechnology is leading the way in driving the future wealth of UK economy. The Business Innovation Awards recognise positive developments in nano - technology and actively help businesses to further develop and launch commercially viable applications."