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.