Speaking at the launch, Science Minister David Sainsbury said, “The government firmly believes that nanotechnology, through the development of new materials and products, has the potential to deliver huge benefits to both society and industry.
"Now that the final pieces of the Nanotechnology Centres network are in place, with the final five centres opening recently, the UK has created a world-leading network of facilities that will significantly increase industry's ability to exploit nanotechnology."
The network has been established through the Department of Trade and Industry's Capital Facilities Programme, which has provided funding to formalise access, for companies seeking nanotech skills, to spare capacity in universities and industry.
The foundations of the network date back to January 2004, with the final five centres receiving funding recently.
Receive the Funding Newswire [full access requires a subscription] each Tuesday, our Policy Bulletin each Thursday, and news about bridging Europe’s east-west innovation gap twice a month in The Widening. 
A unique international forum for public research organisations and companies to connect their external engagement with strategic interests around their R&D system.