46INNOVATION UK " Fuel accounted for 2.5% of the 2008/ 09 Defence Budget" MOD Annual Report and Account 2008/ 9 Another area where MOD has issued a specific chal-lenge is in the Future Protected Vehicle Capability Vision which is looking for a vehicle that will provide the protec-tion, mobility and firepower of a 70- tonne Main Battle Tank along with the carrying capacity of an Armoured Fighting Vehicle but weighing less than 30 tonnes. As well as greater fuel efficiency ( reducing the logistical sup-port needs), new technologies allow novel approaches to design such as hybrid electric- drive hub motors that could provide very large wheel articulation to improve underbody survivability. MOD is also asking for ideas for Reducing the Burden on the Dismounted Soldier. Troops carry a huge weight bur-den which includes body armour, communications, IT, batteries and other essential equipment. MOD is look-ing for innovation to " lighten the load" but maintain or increase the level of physical protection and other areas of performance. Presently an individual soldier may carry over 70kg on operations and it is hoped that this may be reduced to around 25kg by looking at areas including: » » High- power batteries and super capacitors; » » Novel fuel cells; » » E- textiles; » » Kinetic energy harvesting. ABOVE: MOD's Capability Visions seeks significant changes to address key long- term defence challenges. ABOVE: Capability Visions encourages fresh thinking from new and existing suppliers. Environment defence technology & inovation centre

INNOVATION UK47 Putting the focus on nanotechnology Using focus groups, the Nanotechnology KTN is opening up the communication channels between industry, academia and funding authorities Nanotechnology is used in the development and man-ufacture of products in a number of different areas, including medicine, materials, electronics, coatings and energy- saving technology, all with positive effects, such as in the manufacture of tennis rackets, cars, cosmetics and sunscreen. The Nanotechnology Knowledge Transfer Network ( NanoKTN), one of the UK's primary knowledge- based networks for micro and nanotechnologies, was set up by the Technology Strategy Board to promote and facilitate knowledge exchange, support the growth of UK capa-bilities, raise awareness of nanotechnology and provide thought leadership and input to UK policy and strategy. It also assists the 23 UK Micro and Nanotechnology ( MNT) capital facilities that were set up by UK government to develop a critical mass of capabilities and provide access to microsystems and nanotechnology platforms, for those wishing to commercialise MNT. With the division of its activities into four themes: Materials, Manufacturing & Processing, Metrology and Bionano & Nanomedicine, the NanoKTN aims to support the commercialisation of MNT in these areas. This is achieved through focus groups, set up under each of the four themes to act as three- way com-munication channels between industry, academia and funding authorities. Nanotechnology nanoktn