In the UK, the primary agency responsible for doling out grant money to nanotechnologists is the EPSRC, the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council. Not wanting to fall behind in nanotechnology, a working group convened late last year to come up with a comprehensive nanotechnology strategy, available here. Part of that strategy is the hiring of a "nano champion" - a scientist to stir up enthusiasm in the private sector for the government plan. The identity of that nano champion was revealed yesterday when Richard Jones, author of the nanotechnology book Soft Machines, was named Senior Strategic Advisor for Nanotechnology.