GB
United Kingdom
United Kingdom ranks between 2nd and 20th across the 45 technologies, by share of the 10% most cited papers, 2021–2025.
TechnologyRankIts neighbours in the rankingShare of the top 10%, from 2021 to 2025Its institution with the most credit
6G and advanced wireless
2ndof 80
1stCN39.9%2ndGB9.0%3rdUS6.2%4thCA3.8%5thSG3.2%
Queen Mary University of London1.6% of the top 10%
Large language models
3rdof 96
1stCN27.4%2ndUS19.4%3rdGB3.7%4thDE2.4%5–6KR2.3%
University of Oxford0.2% of the top 10%
Advanced aircraft engines
3rdof 47
1stCN64.6%2ndUS4.9%3rdGB4.3%4thIN2.8%5–6TR2.0%
Cranfield University1.3% of the top 10%
Drones and swarming
3rdof 81
1stCN52.2%2ndUS5.0%3rdGB3.8%4thKR3.7%5thCA2.6%
Queen Mary University of London0.5% of the top 10%
Autonomous underwater vehicles
3rdof 44
1stCN71.7%2ndUS3.7%3rdGB2.4%4–6IT1.7%4–6KR1.6%
University of Strathclyde0.5% of the top 10%
Radar
2–3tied, of 41
1stCN77.0%2–3US2.9%2–3GB2.8%4thIT2.7%5–6KR2.2%
University College London0.6% of the top 10%
Directed energy
3–4tied, of 214.0 papers of credit
1stCN57.5%2ndDE5.6%3–4GB4.3%3–4US4.3%5–6IN3.3%
University of Southampton2.2% of the top 10%
Magnets and superconductors
3rdof 58
1stCN35.0%2ndUS14.2%3rdGB5.7%4thIN4.8%5–6DE4.6%
University of Glasgow1.3% of the top 10%
Genome sequencing
3rdof 59
1stUS33.6%2ndCN27.6%3rdGB5.0%4thDE4.7%5thAU3.9%
Wellcome Sanger Institute1.0% of the top 10%
Advanced composites
3rdof 68
1stCN50.8%2ndUS6.0%3rdGB5.6%4thIN5.0%5thTR3.3%
University of Edinburgh0.8% of the top 10%
Quantum computing
4thof 71
1stUS34.9%2ndCN11.2%3rdDE6.0%4thGB5.9%5thCH3.7%6thJP3.4%
University of Oxford1.0% of the top 10%
Quantum communication
4thof 57
1stCN28.9%2ndUS14.1%3rdDE7.6%4thGB5.5%5thIT3.6%6–8ES3.3%
University of Strathclyde1.3% of the top 10%
Atomic clocks
4–6tied, of 27
1stUS38.7%2ndCN19.9%3rdDE11.5%4–6GB4.7%4–6JP4.7%4–6AU4.2%
National Physical Laboratory2.5% of the top 10%
Electric batteries
4–5tied, of 89
1stCN68.0%2ndUS7.6%3rdKR3.4%4–5GB2.2%4–5DE2.2%6thAU1.9%
University College London0.3% of the top 10%
Nuclear fusion
4thof 50
1stUS27.5%2ndCN14.8%3rdDE11.8%4thGB10.1%5thFR5.3%6thIT5.0%
United Kingdom Atomic Energy Authority3.0% of the top 10%
Quantum sensors
4thof 48
1stCN22.5%2ndUS21.5%3rdDE10.2%4thGB8.4%5thFR5.2%6thIT3.3%
University of Nottingham2.4% of the top 10%
Nuclear fission power
4–5tied, of 64
1stCN43.3%2ndUS22.1%3rdKR4.4%4–5GB3.1%4–5RU3.1%6–7FR2.1%
University of Manchester0.7% of the top 10%
Optical communication
3–4tied, of 54
1stCN38.8%2ndUS12.4%3–4CA3.5%3–4GB3.5%5–6DE3.2%5–6JP3.1%
University of Southampton1.3% of the top 10%
Distributed ledgers
4thof 103
1stCN20.6%2ndIN12.4%3rdUS6.7%4thGB4.8%5thSA4.3%6thAU3.7%
University College London0.3% of the top 10%
Advanced robotics
4thof 54
1stCN31.5%2ndUS16.0%3rdIT6.4%4thGB4.7%5thDE4.5%6thHK3.4%
Imperial College London0.4% of the top 10%
Additive manufacturing
5thof 90
1stCN34.0%3rdIN6.7%4thAU3.9%5thGB3.6%6–7IT2.9%6–7SG2.9%
Imperial College London0.5% of the top 10%
Inertial navigation
5–6tied, of 40
1stCN64.0%3rdCA3.7%4thHK2.9%5–6GB2.3%5–6DE2.2%7–10AU1.9%
Imperial College London0.8% of the top 10%
Synthetic biology
5thof 55
1stCN45.7%3rdKR5.0%4thDE4.7%5thGB3.9%6thIN3.5%7thDK2.5%
Imperial College London1.2% of the top 10%
Cybersecurity
5thof 104
1stCN14.8%3rdSA8.4%4thUS7.6%5thGB3.8%6thAU3.7%7–9CA2.8%
Edinburgh Napier University0.2% of the top 10%
Post-quantum cryptography
6thof 59
1stCN20.4%4thSA5.3%5thKR4.3%6thGB3.4%7–8JP2.8%7–8DE2.6%
Queen's University Belfast0.4% of the top 10%
Critical minerals processing
6thof 58
1stCN43.0%4–5CA2.9%4–5IN2.8%6thGB2.4%7–9DE1.9%7–9KR1.9%
University of Warwick0.5% of the top 10%
Gene editing
6thof 77
1stUS32.2%4thIN4.0%5thDE2.5%6thGB2.4%7thCH1.9%8–11IR1.6%
Wellcome Sanger Institute0.4% of the top 10%
Perovskite solar cells
7thof 76
1stCN53.9%5–6DE3.9%5–6IN3.9%7thGB2.3%8–9SA2.1%8–9BD2.0%
University of Cambridge0.5% of the top 10%
Hydrogen by electrolysis
7thof 83
1stCN53.0%5thDE3.7%6thIN2.5%7thGB2.3%8thSA1.7%9thCA1.5%
Durham University0.3% of the top 10%
Wide-bandgap semiconductors
7thof 56
1stCN40.8%5thKR2.9%6thIT2.5%7thGB2.3%8thDE2.1%9thTW1.7%
University of Bristol0.4% of the top 10%
mRNA vaccines and therapeutics
7thof 70
1stUS38.7%4–5JP3.3%6thAU2.7%7thGB2.5%8thIL2.3%9thKR2.2%
University of Oxford0.4% of the top 10%
High-performance computing
7–8tied, of 45
1stUS36.3%4–5ES4.3%6thFR3.3%7–8GB2.8%7–8CH2.8%9thIN2.4%
University College London0.5% of the top 10%
New antibiotics and antivirals
7thof 82
1stCN30.3%5–6BR2.8%5–6AU2.7%7thGB2.5%8–9DE2.3%8–9IR2.2%
University of Manchester0.5% of the top 10%
Hydrogen storage and ammonia fuel
7thof 68
1stCN44.5%5thIN4.1%6thPK3.9%7thGB3.0%8thMA2.5%9–10KR2.2%
University of Edinburgh0.6% of the top 10%
Metamaterials
8thof 73
1stCN55.5%6thIN2.5%7thHK2.0%8thGB1.9%9thDE1.7%10thIR1.6%
Nottingham Trent University0.3% of the top 10%
AI chips
8–9tied, of 46
1stCN46.2%7thHK2.2%8–9CH1.9%8–9GB1.9%10thIT1.8%11–13SA1.3%
University of Oxford0.2% of the top 10%
Hyperspectral imaging
8–9tied, of 54
1stCN71.4%6–7IT1.4%8–9DE1.1%8–9GB1.0%10–12CA0.9%10–12JP0.8%
Robert Gordon University0.3% of the top 10%
Hypersonic flight
9–11tied, of 283.1 papers of credit
1stCN65.9%9–11FR0.9%9–11SA0.9%9–11GB0.8%12–17IQ0.7%12–17JP0.7%
University of Oxford0.3% of the top 10%
Supercapacitors
9–11tied, of 86
1stCN46.3%9–11TW1.3%9–11AU1.3%9–11GB1.3%12thTR1.2%13thAE0.9%
University of Cambridge0.1% of the top 10%
Satellite navigation
11thof 45
1stCN56.1%8–9PL1.7%10thFR1.5%11thGB1.3%12–13KR1.2%12–13ES1.1%
Imperial College London0.4% of the top 10%
Small satellites
8–14tied, of 473.1 papers of credit
1stUS13.7%8–14AU2.5%8–14NL2.5%8–14GB2.5%8–14RU2.0%8–14CO2.0%
University of Surrey0.7% of the top 10%
Sonar and underwater acoustics
9–14tied, of 373.5 papers of credit
1stCN71.6%9–14SG1.0%9–14PK1.0%9–14GB1.0%9–14IR0.9%9–14KR0.9%
University of Southampton0.3% of the top 10%
Advanced chip manufacturing
13–20tied, of 391.8 papers of credit
1stCN31.8%13–20AU0.6%13–20SG0.6%13–20GB0.5%13–20MY0.5%13–20FR0.4%
University of Manchester0.2% of the top 10%
Space launch
13–17tied, of 180.2 papers of credit
1stCN34.8%13–17PT1.0%13–17HK0.4%13–17TR0.3%13–17GB0.2%13–17BE0.2%
Cranfield University0.2% of the top 10%
Electronic warfare
4–19tied, of 230.5 papers of credit
1stCN81.0%4–19AU0.5%4–19HK0.4%4–19GB0.4%4–19NL0.3%4–19QA0.3%
University of Essex0.1% of the top 10%
Neighbours are the countries ranked just above and below. Ranks are shown as a range where shares are equal to one decimal place. Source: OpenAlex, pulled 18 October 2026. Method
Where United Kingdom is in the top three
PilotEach paper sorted into one sub-area by an AI model reading its title and abstract, then credited as usual. On 200 hand-labelled papers it chose the same sub-area, or a defensible second, 92% of the time. Shown where the sub-area has at least 30 papers in the top 10% and the country at least five papers of credit.
- 2ndOptically pumped magnetometers and magnetoencephalographyQuantum sensors, 55 papers; behind China 31.8%30.7%
- 2ndMultiple access and waveforms (NOMA, OTFS, rate-splitting)6G and advanced wireless, 53 papers; behind China 29.2%19.3%
- 2ndPlasma control, data-driven and AI methodsNuclear fusion, 64 papers; behind United States 25.9%17.2%
- 2ndHigh-temperature superconductor tapes and bulksMagnets and superconductors, 59 papers; behind China 33.4%16.2%
- 2ndSuperconducting cables, motors, MRI and power usesMagnets and superconductors, 42 papers; behind China 29.6%12.3%
- 2ndReconfigurable intelligent surfaces6G and advanced wireless, 401 papers; behind China 42.0%12.1%
- 2ndHeating, current drive and diagnosticsNuclear fusion, 76 papers; behind United States 23.0%11.5%
- 2ndFibre transmission systems, signal processing and networksOptical communication, 75 papers; behind China 43.4%11.1%
- 2ndCRISPR screens and functional genomicsGene editing, 67 papers; behind United States 66.0%10.9%
- 2ndIntegrated sensing and communication (dual-function radar)Radar, 55 papers; behind China 58.8%9.8%
- 2ndQuantum error correctionQuantum computing, 156 papers; behind United States 46.8%9.0%
- 2ndMechanical properties, damage and failure modellingAdvanced composites, 200 papers; behind China 51.4%9.0%
- 2ndMassive, cell-free and near-field MIMO6G and advanced wireless, 102 papers; behind China 43.1%8.8%
- 2ndStructural health monitoring and non-destructive testingAdvanced composites, 78 papers; behind China 48.8%8.5%
- 2ndIntegrated sensing and communication6G and advanced wireless, 257 papers; behind China 56.9%6.9%
- 2ndDrone-assisted wireless communications and sensingDrones and swarming, 274 papers; behind China 51.3%6.4%
- 2ndRenewable-powered hydrogen systems and energy-system optimisationHydrogen by electrolysis, 136 papers; behind China 19.7%6.3%
- 2ndSwarms and multi-drone cooperation, formation and task allocationDrones and swarming, 279 papers; behind China 63.6%4.2%
- 3rdReactor and device design, breeding blankets and economicsNuclear fusion, 96 papers; behind Italy 18.7% and United States 18.1%18.0%
- 3rdAutomation, biofoundries, standards and metabolic modelsSynthetic biology, 48 papers; behind United States 25.2% and China 24.7%14.7%
- 3rdCell atlases of tissues, development and non-cancer diseaseGenome sequencing, 78 papers; behind United States 39.4% and China 18.6%12.3%
- 3rdTokamak confinement, transport and turbulenceNuclear fusion, 116 papers; behind United States 23.5% and Germany 18.4%11.8%
- 3rdCompressed, liquid and underground storage, tanks and pipelinesHydrogen storage and ammonia fuel, 130 papers; behind China 14.1% and Australia 13.6%11.7%
- 3rdSuperconducting fusion magnetsNuclear fusion, 44 papers; behind China 26.5% and United States 25.9%11.3%
- 3rdActinide separation and radionuclide captureNuclear fission power, 94 papers; behind China 50.0% and United States 11.0%9.6%
- 3rdSupply chain and traceabilityDistributed ledgers, 269 papers; behind India 11.9% and China 11.4%8.9%
- 3rdPlasma-facing and structural materials (tungsten, irradiation)Nuclear fusion, 130 papers; behind China 46.6% and United States 14.7%8.7%
- 3rdAdoption, management, governance and public sectorDistributed ledgers, 158 papers; behind China 12.3% and United States 10.8%8.0%
- 3rdTrapped-ion qubitsQuantum computing, 66 papers; behind United States 47.6% and Austria 13.9%7.7%
- 3rd6G visions, architectures, Open RAN and IoT surveys6G and advanced wireless, 128 papers; behind China 19.4% and United States 12.8%7.3%
- 3rdQuantum algorithms and applications (incl. quantum machine learning, optimisation, chemistry)Quantum computing, 748 papers; behind United States 32.7% and China 10.5%7.1%
- 3rdNFTs, DeFi, tokens and the metaverseDistributed ledgers, 118 papers; behind China 12.4% and United States 10.0%7.1%
- 3rdManufacturing and processing (curing, moulding, 3D printing)Advanced composites, 266 papers; behind China 39.0% and United States 9.1%6.9%
- 3rdNon-terrestrial networks (satellite, aerial, space-air-ground)6G and advanced wireless, 136 papers; behind China 45.6% and United States 6.0%5.6%
- 3rdLLM agents and tool useLarge language models, 179 papers; behind China 30.5% and United States 21.0%5.3%
- 3rdImmune responses to mRNA vaccines and variant escapemRNA vaccines and therapeutics, 144 papers; behind United States 57.6% and Germany 6.7%4.8%
- 3rdBattery management, modelling, thermal and safetyElectric batteries, 1,288 papers; behind China 59.5% and United States 5.8%4.5%
- 3rdMultimodal and vision-language modelsLarge language models, 283 papers; behind China 49.0% and United States 10.0%4.2%
- 3rdDomain applications (medicine, science, finance, industry)Large language models, 687 papers; behind United States 24.0% and China 22.5%4.1%
- 3rdEvaluation, benchmarks and hallucinationLarge language models, 473 papers; behind United States 22.5% and China 16.8%3.8%
- 3rdRetrieval-augmented generation and knowledge graphsLarge language models, 339 papers; behind China 35.7% and United States 14.0%3.7%
- 3rdBattery recycling and materials recoveryElectric batteries, 391 papers; behind China 54.2% and United States 9.7%3.3%