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This article outlines the progress made at the United Kingdom's National Physical Laboratory (NPL) in using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) for nanomaterial research using three case studies. First, we examine the measurement of metal impurities in graphene as part of the development of international standards. Then, we assess the uranium uptake of graphene oxide (GO) to optimize functionalization of the material for decontamination of aqueous nuclear waste. Finally, we establish the uptake mechanism of different cell and nanoparticle (NP) types to optimize radiation dosimetry assessments. Further advancements made in ICP-MS analysis to characterize single-particles (SP-ICP-MS) are also discussed with recommendations for future work. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Presents information on the establishment of a national system of grants for Great Britain's sixth-form students. Comments from Graham Lane, chairman of the government's advisory group on student support; Amount of financing the grants will receive; Reference to Clause 18, which allows the Education Secretary to withdraw funds from universities that charges high fees.

Reports that following the plans by the government of Great Britain to introduce tuition fees, thousands of students has abandoned plans to enter university. Comparison of the number of university applications in 1998 to those of 1997; Comments from the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service; Indepth look at the situation.

Highlights a survey conducted by the staff at the Preston-based Responsive Colleges Unit, which indicated that a number of people embark on courses, without speaking to tutors or former students. Reference to only a third of those enrolled received information on students' destination after leaving the college; Details of the study.

Focuses on the ordering of an independent inquiry by the South Devon College and has agreed to repay one million pounds in European subsidies. Circumstances surrounding this move; Information on the repalcing of the college's system of student records; What acting principal, Ian Bentley is doing regarding the crisis; Detailed information the crisis.

Reports that three of the largest teaching unions in London are holding talks over the establishment of a super council. Objective for the super council; Indentification of the teaching unions; Comments from indivdual union members.

States that accessibility to grants for students in Great Britain were commissioned by the Further Education Funding Council under The Funding Lottery. How financial aid is attributed to the students; Findings of the Policy Studies Institute's research; Comparison of the service to that in America.

Reports on the fall of fees for adult education students in Great Britain, according to a survey conducted by the National Institute of Adult Continuing Education (NIACE). Statistical information from the survey; Reactions of NIACE officials; Comments from Sue Cara, NIACE associate director.

Reports that a survey conducted by the Further Education Funding Council on its staff, revealed that lecturers at further education colleges in Great Britain have limited qualifications. Criticism of the out-of-date industrial experience of staff; Details on the report; Call for colleges to invest more effort in updating lecturers' skills.

States that colleges in Great Britain need to improve language and computer technology teaching to exploit overseas markets. Research by the Further Education Development Agency (FEDA); Need for investment in overseas projects; FEDA report `The Shrinking World'; Percentage of schools with plans for international work; Europe as the major source of links between colleges; Recommendation of greater use of high technology.

Reports that Roger Ward, chief executive of the Association of Colleges (AOC), was brought before the Commons education select committee. Question of why Ward had claimed the AOC had a full register of interests when none exists; Possible disciplinary charges for Ward; Ward's links with the finance group Burke Ford Reed; Admission of Ward that the register does not exist. INSETS: Hodge quizzes AOC chairman;So where is the register now?.

Reports that college employers in Great Britain are to press for a single union to represent all staff in further education. Policy paper by the Association of Colleges; Proposal to strengthen the two separate unions, NATFHE and the Association of Teachers and Lecturers; Legislation forcing union recognition.

Looks at the condemning of child benefit payments to the wealthy parents of sixth form students. Comments from Graham Lane, chairman of Great Britain's working group on student grants; Use of savings to encourage teenagers to stay on at school or college; Controversy surrounding benefits for single mothers and disabled people; Entitlement to support all 16 to 19 year-old students. INSET: Wrong to single out lone parents, by Rob Merrick.

Reports that Roger Ward, chief executive of the Association of Colleges (AOC) in Great Britain, is under inquiry for delivering false evidence to a committee of MPs. Recalling of Ward by the House of Commons education select committee; Assurance of Ward that the AOC had a register of the financial interests of senior members; Admission of Ward that no such register exists; Possible disciplinary proceedings from the AOC.

Questions the role of the Further Education Development Agency, while highlighting the reactions of member of parliament on the issue. Reference to changes being made to the educational system; Findings of studies being conducted.

Discloses that ministers in Great Britain are facing strong pressure on three fronts as they prepare proposals for the 1998 White Paper on lifelong learning. Proposals contained in the Fryer report on lifelong learning; Education Secretary David Blunkett's unveiling of a rescue package for colleges; Call for adult education funding to be increased; Need for a public debate on funding for education.

Discloses that the Further Education Development Agency (FEDA) would be at the center of plans to expand and improve colleges in Great Britain. FEDA's plan to close the former further education staff college near Bristol, England to create new headquarters in London; Possibility of job losses as a result of the move; Publication of the first inspection report into the agency.

Discloses that senior government advisers in Great Britain have published proposals for a British cultural revolution to create a radical new cradle-to-grave education. Call on Education Secretary David Blunkett to open up education to hundreds of thousands of people; Measures to revolutionize adult education; Changes to education funding.

Focuses on British colleges' views on the performance tables released as of November 21, 1997. Alleged failure to cover the majority of college courses; Decision making issues.

Reports that British Education and Employment Secretary David Blunkett ordered colleges to set targets for slashing drop-out rates, and called for all new students to be tested as part of a drive to improve their basic skills. Zero tolerance policy towards schools; Merger and cooperation orders.

Reports on the support from board members of Great Britain's Association of Colleges for the association's chief executive Roger Ward on the issue of illegal consultancy agreement. Accusation of Ward against `The TES'; Reactions from different sectors on the investigation of the issue.

Reports on the demand for Great Britain's Further Education Funding Council to account for the 1.6 million pounds of public money spent illegally. Investigation on a business venture by an unnamed college; Illegal funding for underwater diving.

Reports on the cash injection of 83 million pounds for colleges in Great Britain. Restoration of 10 million pounds cut to competitiveness funds; Percentage of budget cut reduction.

Reports on the overhaul of A-level standards for universities in Great Britain. Inclusion of a general national vocational qualification; Flaws in the old system of rating school's performance.

Reports that local governments in Great Britain are preparing to abandon control of continuing education as part of a trade-off to end disputes with colleges over student enrollment. Councils' gain of seats on college boards; Colleges' gain of representation on school districts' committees; Other details of negotiations; Introduction of a common funding formula for 16 to 19 education.

Cites the annual report of the chief inspector of colleges Jim Donaldson in Great Britain. Continuing education college principals' inability to get the best value for money because of the number of qualifications on offer; Introduction of a system of modular courses which would help colleges save money; Urging for government reform of the 17,000 qualifications; Praise of colleges for coping with the budget crisis.

Reports that the Further Education Funding Council of Great Britain has announced that continuing education college debts have risen to 112 million pounds sterling in 1996. Rise in the number of colleges in a weak financial state; Teachers' unions' campaign to press for federal cash injection into continuing education; Warning that colleges would be unable to carry out government policy without additional funding.

Reveals that British colleges have the potential to aid economic development in their areas, but have little idea how this is possible, according to a study by the Further Education Development Agency. Collaboration with businesses, other public sector bodies and the community; Difficulties in getting a seat at a table at some of the larger partnerships and boards.

Reports that Great Britain's National Audit Office has asked for better controls to predict the financial effects of the expansion of enrollment in colleges. Delays in collecting information about student numbers; Crisis over the so-called demand-led funding; Amount the Treasury owes from colleges which exceeded recruitment targets.

Reports on the appeal of Bilston Community College, one of the fastest growing colleges in Great Britain, for a review of further education fund allocation in Great Britain. Financial status of Bilston Community College; Impact on the number of students admitted; Comments from education officials.

Reports on the findings of a survey on student dropouts in Great Britain conducted by the National Council for Vocational Qualifications. Lack of conclusive data on the causes of student dropouts; Directions for future research; Includes information on qualifications attained through the workplace; Parliamentary review of education.

Reports on the failure of national colleges in Great Britain to award a full rise in compensation for college teachers and lecturers, according to a survey conducted by the National Association of Teachers in Further & Higher Education. Percentage of further education institutions which have granted the pay increase; Comments from labor officials.

Cites worries on debt as a deterrent to students' availing of loan funds in Great Britain, according to a study conducted by the Policy Studies Institute. Women and Asian students as the less likely to take out student loan funds; Implication to the number of students entering higher education.

Reports on a proposal to abolish discretionary grants to education distributed by local governments in Great Britain. Commendation of the proposal by students and educators; Concern over the value and number of discretionary grants.

Reports that the Further Education Funding Council (FEFC) has told Members of Parliament in Great Britain that continuing or further education (FE) colleges need an immediate federal aid of 200 million pounds to maintain student numbers at 1996 levels. Government inquiry into FE funding; Colleges' difficulties from 1996 budget cuts; Government vision to increase enrollment in FE.

Reports that government officials have warned that small continuing education schools could be closed under plans to end competition with colleges regarding enrollment in Great Britain. Creation of a common funding system to end rows over unequal budgets; Transfer of planning powers to the Further Education Funding Council.

Reports that the Qualifications and Curriculum Authority in Great Britain has released a 3.5 million pounds funding package to promote school-college links to help underachieving young people. Start of 35 continuing education pilot projects; Other aims of the project; Portion of funding to develop work-related education.

Reports that Bilston Community College in Wolverhampton, England has mounted a legal battle against the Further Education Funding Council (FEFC) after being denied four million pounds in federal aid in 1997. Push for a judicial review of its budget settlement; Urging for the restoration of the grant; FEFC's contention that the cut was administered fairly; Other colleges which lost out in the spending round.

Reports that colleges and universities in Great Britain have warned that budget cuts are affecting the drive to increase student enrollment rates and meet national education targets. Citing of a squeeze in federal aid; Closure of minority courses; Reduction of extra-curricular activities; Closure of A-level courses.

Cites the results of a survey on post-16 continuing education in Great Britain. Denial to qualified students of sixth-form places to study for A levels because of the previous Conservative government's cutbacks in federal aid; Denial of college-based vocational courses to students; Colleges' termination of courses to make ends meet; Incumbent Labour government's plans for the sector.

Points out British colleges' lack of success in drawing more people into education. Working peer, Helena Kennedy's conducting of a study on improving ways to improve recruitment of students into colleges; Importance of local partnerships to reach target groups.

Focuses on the plans of Nick Tate in his capacity as head of the British Qualifications and Curriculum Authority. Accrediting of awarding bodies and vocational qualifications; Regulatory powers of the agency; Background involvement in vocational education; Willingness to work with examination boards and awarding bodies to preserve worthwhile minority subjects.

Reveals the amount needed by the British further and higher education sector in order to realize Prime Minister Tony Blair's vision of increasing enrollment in university and college by 500,000 by 2002. Shortfall in income from higher education tuition fees; Allocation of resources saved from reforms to universities and further education.

Highlights the promise of Nick Tate, head of the British Qualifications and Curriculum Authority, to save minority courses from government cuts. Brokering of deals with examination boards; Deleting of genuinely redundant subjects.

Highlights the plan of the British Department of Education and Employment to distribute information material on how university tuition fees will affect students. Efforts to convince citizens on the benefits of paying fees for higher education; Proposal to abolish grants and reform the student loans systems.

Reports on the impact of the death of Clive Brain, principal of Swindon College, in the rail disaster that occurred in Southall, England, in September 1997. Sense of loss of friends, colleagues and acquaintances; Remembrance of Brain's personality; Contributions to the field of further education.

Highlights the benefits to be gained by the adult and further education sector in Great Britain from income from university student fees. Redirecting of resources to lifelong learning; Search for resources to stem colleges' short-term cash crisis.