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Minister highlights investments for the eight great technologies of the future

Research Councils UK (RCUK) welcomes the Mountbatten Memorial Lecture given by Universities and Science Minister David Willetts last night (9 October), highlighting investments in the eight great technologies of the future that will help drive economic growth.

In his speech, delivered at the Institution of Engineering and Technology, the Minister set out how the UK will solve and better understand some of the greatest challenges of our time, such as climate change, energy storage, food production and population growth.

The last 10 years have seen a period of stability and investment in research which has allowed the UK to become a world leader. We need to ensure that this period of sustained investment continues. Many people do not recognise how the research of today will shape our world in the future and to help explain this, RCUK has produced a set of timelines for the eight great technologies to explain the discovery and development journey of each technology through time.

The eight great technologies are:

1. The big data revolution and energy-efficient computing
2. Satellites and commercial applications of space
3. Robotics and autonomous systems
4. Life sciences, genomics and synthetic biology
5. Regenerative medicine
6. Agri-science
7. Advanced materials and nano-technology
8. Energy and its storage

The impact of research is realised through a combination of investments over time. The Research Councils seek to ensure that the outputs and outcomes of their funded research have significant long-term benefits for the economy and society. These timelines are part of a series which highlight how investments made in research over the long-term combine to create a significant impact in particular areas. In addition, research in one area can combine with that from another to drive innovation and provide a key contribution to UK growth.

For example, in 2002, the world’s largest earth observation satellite Envisat was successfully launched and provided ten years of invaluable environmental data on air quality, the size of the ozone hole, the extent of sea ice, and the risks from earthquakes, volcanos and floods. But even before its launch, UK company Proneta used Envisat technology to develop a camera that could see through oil, now of potential interest to international giants Shell, BP, Amerada Hess and Chevron. Envisat software is also helping the medical community analyse brain scans. Originally designed to process satellite images, it is now being developed as a simple method of screening for Alzheimer’s disease.

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Further information

Contact:
Katie Clark
Press and Communications Manager
Tel: 01793 444592 or email: Katie Clark

Notes to editors

1. All RCUK timelines are available at: www.rcuk.ac.uk/Publications/reports/Timelines

2. A key part of the Government’s Industrial Strategy is supporting technologies where the UK has the depth of research, expertise and the business capability to develop and exploit commercially. Regenerative medicine is one of ‘Eight Great Technologies’ identified by the Chancellor of the Exchequer in autumn 2012 when he announced an additional £600 million to help support their development. These eight are: Big Data and energy-efficient computing, Satellites and commercial applications of space, Robotics and autonomous systems; Synthetic biology, Regenerative medicine, Agri-science, Advanced materials and nanotechnology, and Energy and its storage

3. The Minister’s speech and accompanying press notice is available here.

4. The Minister also announced the recipients of the first phase of ESRC’s £64 million funding of investment in big data. See the ESRC press release. A new Agri-Tech Catalyst was also launched to help researchers and businesses develop innovative solutions to global challenges in the agricultural technology ('agri-tech') sector. The Catalyst will be set up by BBSRC and the Technology Strategy Board. See the BBSRC website for further information.

5. The Mountbatten Memorial Lecture is one of ten Prestige Lectures hosted by the IET that showcases the latest ideas and technologies across a range of engineering disciplines, ranging from general interest to the more technical. The speakers invited to give IET Lectures are of the highest calibre – innovative, forward-thinking and at the top of their game. See the IET website for more information.

6. Research Councils UK (RCUK) is the strategic partnership of the UK's seven Research Councils who annually invest around £3 billion in research. We support excellent research, as judged by peer review, that has an impact on the growth, prosperity and wellbeing of the UK. To maintain the UK’s global research position we offer a diverse range of funding opportunities, foster international collaborations and provide access to the best facilities and infrastructure around the world. We also support the training and career development of researchers and work with them to inspire young people and engage the wider public with research. To maximise the impact of research on economic growth and societal wellbeing we work in partnership with other research funders including the Technology Strategy Board, the UK Higher Education funding bodies, business, government, and charitable organisations. www.rcuk.ac.uk.

   The seven UK Research Councils are:

   • Arts & Humanities Research Council (AHRC);
   • Biotechnology & Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC);
   • Economic & Social Research Council (ESRC);
   • Engineering & Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC);
   • Medical Research Council (MRC);
   • Natural Environment Research Council (NERC);
   • Science & Technology Facilities Council (STFC).