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Foresight for physics technologies is healthy - The Physics Congress 2002
April 08, 2002The key role of physics in delivering solutions to problems such as climate change and global warming was highlighted by Professor David King, Head of the Office of Science and Technology and Government Chief Scientific Adviser, in a talk to scientific innovators at the Institute of Physics Annual Congress in Brighton today. Citing ARM, the Cambridge-based company that specialises in the production of microchips in mobile phones, as an example of a profitable company with high value products emerging from basic science, Professor King commended the new culture in the science base. These changing attitudes were leading to strong links with industry, an increased number of spin-off companies - 199 in 1999 to 2000 alone - and the formation of more science parks.
The Government sees science as a worthwhile investment with the UK science budget of nearly £2 billion per annum set to grow by an average of over 7 percent in each of the next three years. But Professor King warned that this level of increase needs to be maintained if the UK is to have the strong science base which is essential to the knowledge economy and a key resource in so many areas - health, defence, crime and the environment as well as the continued creation of wealth and prosperity.
The value of the Foresight programme which has been changed to tackle only three or four topics at a time to identify areas such as cognitive systems and neural networks or flooding and coastal defences in which physics can help to provide solutions was described. Professor King pointed out that these technological solutions were not just for the good of the world - there was real money to be made in these sectors by well positioned companies.
"Physics based industries have a key role in solving the problems of climate change and global warming. They will provide the technological solutions needed for both mitigation of the effects, and adaptation to our new environment. Real opportunities exist for UK physics-based companies to get a technological lead in this potentially highly profitable area."
Institute of Physics
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