Department for Innovation, Universities and Skills
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Six new technologies named as vital to the UK's future - Major science report

Six new technologies named as vital to the UK's future - Major science report

DEPARTMENT FOR INNOVATION, UNIVERSITIES AND SKILLS News Release issued by The Government News Network on 22 November 2007

Six key new technologies have been highlighted as central to the UK's future prosperity in a report published today by the Government's top advisory group on science and technology.

The Council for Science and Technology (CST) has rigorously assessed over 100 technology areas in its search to find the most promising technologies for the UK to focus on over the next five years.

The six winning technologies span the breadth of the UK economy covering both the manufacturing and service sectors. They are:

* Carbon Capture and Storage - enabling coal and gas to be used for power generation without adding further to CO2 emissions;

* Disaster Mitigation Technologies - predicting, preventing and responding to the impact of disasters such as earthquakes, tropical cyclones and flooding;

* Plastic Electronics - developing a new generation of products, such as computing, sensors, flexible displays, solar cells and communication systems;

* Low Carbon Distribution Networks for Electricity Supply - enabling and stimulating large-scale, local electricity generation by renewable and low carbon technologies;

* Medical Devices - improving healthcare, targeting prevention, diagnosis, treatment and related technologies;

* E-health - delivering and enhancing health services through the internet and related technologies.

John Denham, Secretary of State for Innovation, Universities and Skills, said:

"I welcome this valuable report by the Council for Science and Technology. The UK is well known for its world-class science and technology. In order to translate this into wealth creation and social benefits we have to work to capitalise on new and lucrative technologies. It's vital we exploit cutting-edge innovation to achieve global success.

"The CST report makes an important contribution to that process, and the Technology Strategy Board will want to consider it alongside other inputs as it develops its programme of action."

Professor Janet Finch, co-chair of CST said:

"CST was pleased to be able to respond to a request from Government to advise on how to identify and prioritise the most important new technologies on the horizon for the UK. This country must ensure that the substantial investments in science and technology, skills and education that Government has made over the last ten years translate as effectively as possible into innovation and wealth creation.

"Government has an important role to play here, but we recognise that it cannot support everything. Choices have to be made about which are the most promising technologies on which to focus. Those choices are both challenging and complex. We have developed a mechanism to help Government make those difficult decisions. We have then applied our recommendations to identify six technologies where greater focus by Government now could accelerate the commercial and social benefits to the UK over the next five years"

The CST road tested its conclusions with a wide range of business and academic organisations, including the CBI, the Technology Strategy Board and the Research Councils.

Four further platform technologies were also identified. These are: bandwidth telecommunications; cell and tissue therapies; pervasive systems; simulation and modelling. The CST has recommended that substantial investment in these areas should continue.

Notes to Editors

1. The report was commissioned by Alistair Darling, then Secretary of State for the Department of Trade and Industry, in January 2007. The Minister asked the CST to advise on what would be the best areas to focus resources for science, technology and innovation which could lead to applications in around five years time.

2. The report's conclusions have been road-tested with a wide range of business and academic organisations, including the CBI, Technology Strategy Board and Research Councils.

3. CST is the Government's top-level independent advisory body on strategic science and technology policy issues. The members of the Council for Science and Technology are appointed by the Prime Minister. It is co-chaired by Sir David King, the Government's Chief Scientific Adviser, and Professor Janet Finch, Vice-Chancellor of Keele University. CST organises its work around five broad themes: research; science and society; education; science and government; and technology innovation.

4. Public Enquiries: 020 7215 5555

5. Further information can be found on the Council's website: http://www.cst.gov.uk.

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