This study has been commissioned by the Office for Science and Technology (OST) in the Department of Trade and Industry and has a very broad brief from assessing the underlying technology through to ethical and regulation issues.

Professor Dowling will be working with the Royal Society and the Royal Academy of Engineering to identify applications for nanoscale science and to look at environmental, health, safety ethical and social implications.

Mark Welland, Professor of Nanotechnology and Director of the IRC in Nanotechnology commented: "I am looking forward to a wide-ranging and detailed study into all aspects of nanotechnology. This is exactly the right time for such a review so that as the technology moves into the market-place it will do so with no hidden issues relating to societal and ethical implications."

This is an opportunity for individuals and organisations to register their interest in this study and to identify the key issues that they think should be considered by the working group.