Alec Reader, director of NanoKTN

1979-1984 BSc in physics, followed by PhD in materials science (solid-state physics), University of Birmingham
Following his degrees, Reader worked as a post-doctoral fellow at Delft Technology University

1984-93 Section head and researcher at Philips Research and Philips Semiconductors, Eindhoven

1992-98 Head of characterisation and failure department, NXP Semiconductors Crolle

1998-2003 Business line manager, Philips Analytical

2003-2004 Senior business-development manager, RINCE

2004-2008 Sales, marketing and technology director, Innos

2008 Appointed director of NanoKTN

Over the past few years there has been a subtle change in the way we see nanotechnology. Ten years ago it was theshiny novelty of the technology world, with some of the claims for its potential barely distinguishable from science fiction. It was mentioned in a dizzying number of research-grant applications and brandished as a buzz word in the advertising of every sector from compact discs to cosmetics.

These days the frenzy has died down and the mentions of nanotechnology have become somewhat less breathless. But, according to the director of NanoKTN, the nanotech knowledge-transfer network, the sector is still very much alive and kicking. Moreover, innovations from the UK could be about to kick off a technological revolution.
’A number of years ago, there was too much hype around all the wonderful things that nanotech could do,’ Alec Reader admitted. ’But what you need to understand is that nanotechnology is a key enabling technology for a variety of sectors.’