Innovation UK > News > Innovation News > Nano firms win top awards

Three top British nanotechnology firms are celebrating after winning Business Innovation Awards at the UK NanoForum and Emerging Technologies Conference 2009.

The firms, whose innovations make solar cells more efficient, help in the fight against heart disease, and improve the production of fine chemical compounds, won their awards at the two-day event hosted by NanoKTN and UK Trade and Investment, attended by more than 450 delegates from around the world.

Lord Davies of Abersoch, the Minister for Trade, Investment and Small Business, said: "Here in the UK we have a truly first-class record of innovation. 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."

Director of the NanoKTN, Alec Reader added, "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 nanotechnology and actively help businesses to further develop and launch commercially viable applications."

The Business Innovation Award winners are:

Materials & Devices: Promethean Particles from Nottingham won the award 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. 

Life Sciences and Healthcare: University College London (UCL) Centre and Regenerative Medicine won 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. 

Energy and Environment: AM Technology, from Runcorn in Cheshire, has developed a 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.