Ministers are to give scientists £200 million to research nanotechnology.

The government hopes Wednesday's announcement will boost work in the UK to develop microscopic devices.

Science minister Lord Sainsbury announced that the government will be spending £90 million over the next six years to develop a network of laboratories.

Nanotechnology involves products such as robotic devices being made at the atomic level.

The term is derived from the fact that their dimensions are less than about 1000 nanometers - a thousand times smaller than a strand of hair.

Applications range from high-speed computer technology to surgical procedures.

Supporters say the global market could be worth billions of pounds if the technology can be made to work and point to the success of semi-conductor developments in the 1970s and 1980s.

But opponents warn the idea could be an expensive diversion from other scientific developments.

Sainsbury said that the UK is already spending around £50 million a year on nanotechnology and expects the government's cash to be matched by business.

Those involved in the research warn Japan is spending £400 million a year while America is spending £500 million a year. There are also fears that Britain is also lagging behind key European rivals which already have nanotechnology strategies.

"Today's investment will help UK companies take advantage of the exciting commercial opportunities offered by scientific advances in nanotechnology," said Lord Sainsbury.

"I want to make sure the UK wins a share of this prize with a prosperous, world-class nanotechnology sector in the UK. It is important that as this technology develops people feel confident about it.''