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Wednesday 29 August 2012

List of emerging technologies

List of emerging technologies

This list of currently emerging technologies contains some of the most prominent ongoing developments, advances, and innovations in various fields of modern technology. Emerging technologies are those technical innovations which represent progressive developments within a field for competitive advantage.[1] Opinions vary on the feasibility, importance, status, and economic viability of different emerging technologies.

Contents

Agriculture

Emerging technology Status Potentially marginalized technologies Potential applications Related articles
Agricultural robot Research and development, trial projects


Closed ecological systems Research and development, working demonstrators (e.g. Biosphere 2) Agricultural science Agriculture, scientific research, space colonization Greenhouse, Eden Project, Bioshelter, Seawater greenhouse, Perpetual harvest greenhouse system
Genetically modified food Research and development, commercialization


In vitro meat Research and development, non-profit organization New Harvest set up to promote development[2][3][4] Animal husbandry, livestock, poultry, fishing[4] Cruelty free, inexpensive and environmentally friendlier meat to consume[4]
Precision agriculture Research and development, diffusion


Vertical farming Research and experiments[5][6] Industrial agriculture Crop and meat production

Biomedical

Emerging technology Status Potentially marginalized technologies and/or industries Potential applications Related articles
Artificial uterus Theory, research Incubator

Body implants, prosthesis Trials, from animal (e.g., brain implants) to human clinical (e.g., insulin pump implant), to commercial production (e.g. pacemaker, joint replacement, cochlear implant) Various fields of medicine Brain implant, retinal implant Prosthetics, prosthetics in fiction
Cryonics Theory, research


Genetic engineering Research, development, commercialization[7][8] Animal husbandry, plant breeding Creating and modifying species, bio-machines, eliminating genetic disorders (gene therapy) Genetically modified food, genetic pollution
Head transplant, isolated brain Theory, research[9][10][11]
Whole-body transplant
Hibernation or suspended animation Research, development, animal trials[12] Surgical anesthesia Organ transplantation, space travel, prolonged surgery, emergency care
Life extension, Strategies for Engineered Negligible Senescence Research, experiments, animal testing[13][14][15] Existing treatments for age-related diseases[15] Increased life spans[15] Resveratrol, SRT1720
Nanomedicines Research, experiments, limited use[16][17]


Personalized medicine, full genome sequencing Research, experiments[18] Orphan drugs Cancer management and preventive treatment; genetic disorders
Regenerative medicine Some laboratory trials[19]
Life extension
Robotic surgery Research, diffusion[20][21][22] Surgeons untrained in robotic surgery

Stem cell treatments Research, experiments, phase I human trial spinal cord injury treatment (GERON), cultured cornea transplants[23][24] Other therapies Treatment for a wide range of diseases and injuries Stem cell, stem cell treatments, Skin cell gun
Tissue engineering Research, diffusion[25][26][27][28]
Organ printing
Vitrification or cryoprotectant Theory, some experiments[29] Ischemic damages Organ transplantation, cryonics

Displays

Emerging technology Status Potentially marginalized technologies Potential applications Related articles
3D displays Research, commercialization[30][31] other display technologies, CRT, LCD Television, computer interfaces, cinemas Autostereoscopic display, stereoscopic display, volumetric display, holographic display, Light Field display, Nintendo 3DS, HTC Evo 3D
Ferro Liquid Display Some commercial products


OLED displays Diffusion[32][33] LCD and plasma displays Displays, lighting OLED TV, Comparison of display technology
Organic light-emitting transistor Development


Interferometric modulator display Development, commercializing[34] Other display technologies, CRT, LCD, plasma, e-paper Non-emissive displays with fast response times and potentially the most realistic colors of all display technologies Interferometric modulator display, comparison of display technology
Time-multiplexed optical shutter Commercialized


Laser video displays first commercial Laser TV in 2008, Mitsubishi LaserVue TV LCD and plasma displays Displays with very wide colour gamut prowess Laser TV, Comparison of display technology Next generation of display technology
Screenless display (Virtual retinal display, Bionic contact lens), EyeTap Theory, experiments[35] Traditional displays Augmented reality, virtual reality, EyeTap could allow the user to reference the blue prints like in a construction yard, in a 3D manner, Delivers the user constant up to date information on the stock market, the user's corporation, and meeting statuses, visual disabilities Head-mounted display, Head-up display, adaptive optics
Telescopic pixel display In development


Phased-array optics Theory[36][37] Conventional display devices (e.g., television) Mass production of 3-dimensional imagery
Thick-film dielectric electroluminescent technology Suspended


Holography (Holographic display, Computer-generated holography) Diffusion[38][39][40] Display technologies

Quantum dot display Diffusion


Ultra-high-definition television Diffusion HDTV Displays with more pixels
Surface-conduction electron-emitter display Abandoned Traditional displays Displays with high contrast ratio, fast response time and high energy efficiency
Field emission display Research


Volumetric display

3-dimensional imagery Swept-volume display

Electronics

Emerging technology Status Potentially marginalized technologies Potential applications Related articles
Electronic nose Research, commercialization[41][42] X-ray and MRI scans for detecting cancer Detecting spoiled food, chemical weapons and cancer
E-textiles Research, diffusion[43]


Flexible electronics Research, development, some prototypes[44][45]
Flexible and folding electronic devices (such as smartphones), Flexible solar cells which are lightweight, can be rolled up for launch, and are easily deployable Nokia Morph, Flexible organic light-emitting diode
Memristor Working prototype[46][47] Some current integrated circuits, many other electronics devices Smaller, faster, lower power consuming storage, analogue electronics, Artificial intelligence
Spintronics Working prototypes[48] Mechanical magnetic hard disk drives Data storage MRAM
Thermal copper pillar bump Working prototypes in discrete devices Conventional thermal systems, heat sinks, bulk thermoelectrics Electric circuit cooling; micro-fluidic actuators; small-device thermoelectric power generation Ultra high definition holographic disc, Metal–insulator transition

Energy

Emerging technology Status Potentially marginalized technologies Potential applications Related articles
Airborne wind turbine Research[49][50][51] Fossil fuels Producing electricity KiteGen
Flywheel energy storage Some commercial examples


Artificial photosynthesis Research, experiments[52]
replicate the natural process of photosynthesis, converting sunlight, water, carbon dioxide into carbohydrates and oxygen AlgaePARC
Biofuels Diffusion[53] Fossil fuels Energy storage, more so for transport Issues relating to biofuels
Concentrated solar power Growing markets in California, Spain, Northern Africa[54] Fossil fuels, photovoltaics Producing electricity DESERTEC, BrightSource Energy, Solar Millennium
Electric double-layer capacitor Diffusion, continued development[55] Chemical batteries Regenerative braking; energy storage: generally faster charging, longer lasting, more flexible, greener
Fusion power Theory, experiments; for 60+ years[56] Fossil fuels, renewable energy, nuclear fission power Producing electricity, heat, fusion torch recycling with waste heat ITER, NIF, Polywell, Dense plasma focus, Muon-catalyzed fusion
Grid energy storage Increasing use


Silicon–air battery Experiments


Generation IV reactor Research, Experiments Traditional nuclear power reactors, fossil fuels Producing electricity, heat, transmutation of nuclear waste stockpiles from traditional reactors Plasma arc waste disposal
Home fuel cell Research, commercialisation[57][58][59] Electrical grid Off-the-grid, producing electricity Autonomous building, Bloom Energy Server
Hydrogen economy Diffusion of hydrogen fuel cells; theory, experiments for lower cost hydrogen production[60] Other energy storage methods: chemical batteries, fossil fuels Energy storage
Lithium-air battery Research, experiments[61] Other energy storage methods: hydrogen, chemical batteries, some uses of fossil fuels Laptops, mobile phones, long-range electric cars; storing energy for electric grid
Molten salt reactor Research, Experiments Traditional nuclear power reactors, fossil fuels Producing electricity, heat
Nanowire battery Experiments, prototypes[62][63] Other energy storage methods: hydrogen, chemical batteries, some uses of fossil fuels Laptops, mobile phones, long-range electric cars; storing energy for electric grid
Nantenna Research[64][65][66] Fossil fuels Producing electricity
Smart grid Research, diffusion[67][68][69]

Smart meter, SuperSmart Grid
Solar roadway Research[70][71][72] Fossil fuels Producing electricity
Space-based solar power Theory


Thorium fuel cycle Research started in the 1960's, still ongoing Uranium based nuclear power, fossil fuels Producing electricity, heat
Lithium iron phosphate battery Commercilization


Molten salt battery Applications and continuing research


Wireless energy transfer Prototypes, diffusion, short range consumer products[73] Power cords, plugs, batteries Wirelessly powered equipment: laptop, cell phones, electric cars, etc. WiTricity, resonant inductive coupling

IT and communications

Emerging technology Status Potentially marginalized technologies Potential applications Related articles
4G cellular communication First commercial LTE networks deployed in Sweden December 2009; candidate systems LTE-advanced and IEEE 802.16m (Mobile WiMAX Release 2) in development broadband Pervasive computing Mobile broadband, mobile TV, Interactive TV, 3D-TV,[74] holographic cameras[74]
Ambient intelligence Theory


Artificial brain Research[75]
Neurological disease's treatments, artificial intelligence Blue Brain Project
Artificial intelligence Theory, experiments; limited uses in specialized domains[76][77][78] Human decision, analysis, etc. Creating intelligent devices Progress in artificial intelligence, technological singularity, applications of artificial intelligence
Atomtronics Theory


Augmented Reality diffusion


Cybermethodology



Emerging memory technologies T-RAM, Z-RAM, TTRAM, CBRAM, SONOS, RRAM, Racetrack memory, NRAM, Millipede memory In development Current memory technologies

Fourth-generation optical discs (3D optical data storage, Holographic data storage) Research, prototyping[79] All other mass storage methods/devices, magnetic tape data storage, optical data storage Storing and archiving data previously erased for economic reasons Holographic Disc stores Ultra HD big Electronic IT companies are interested in this technology it has bigger capacity than Blu-ray Disc 10x times more than optical storage
General-purpose computing on graphics processing units Diffusion of non standardized methods CPU for a few specialized uses Order of magnitude faster processing of parallelizable algorithms
Machine augmented cognition, exocortices Diffusion of primitive amplifications; working prototypes of more; theory, experiments on more substantial amplification Libraries, schools, training, pocket calculators

Machine translation Diffusion[80][81] Human translation of natural languages, in areas where misunderstanding is non-critical and language is formalized Easier and cheaper cross-cultural communication
Machine vision Research, prototyping, commercialization[82] Biotic vision and perception, including humans Biometrics, controlling processes (e.g., in driverless car, automated guided vehicle), detecting events (e.g., in visual surveillance), interaction (e.g., in human-computer interaction), robot vision Computer vision, pattern recognition, digital image processing
Mobile collaboration Development, commercialization[83] Traditional video-conferencing systems Extends the capabilities of video conferencing for use on hand-held mobile devices in real-time over secure networks. For use in diverse industries such as manufacturing, energy, healthcare.[84]
Optical computing Theory, experiments; some components of integrated circuits have been developed[85] Many electronics devices, integrated circuits Smaller, faster, lower power consuming computing
Quantum computing Theory, experiments,[86] commercialization[87] Atomtronics,
Electronic computing, optical computing, quantum clock
Much faster computing, for some kinds of problems, chemical modeling, new materials with programmed properties, theory of high-temperature superconductivity and superfluidity
Quantum cryptography Commercialization[88]
Secure communications
Radio-frequency identification Diffusion of high cost[89][90][91] Barcode Smartstores - RFID based self checkout (keeping track of all incoming and outgoing products), food packaging, smart shelves, smart carts. See: potential uses
Semantic Web or answer machine Theory, research Search engines Making the web machine-readable by annotating data on the web based on its meaning
Speech recognition
Mechanical input devices

Three-dimensional integrated circuit Development, commercialization[92][93] Conventional integrated circuit

Virtual Reality diffusion Television Entertainment, education

Manufacturing

Emerging technology Status Potentially marginalized technologies Potential applications Related articles
3D printing Commercial production[94][95] Manually making prototypes, some mass production methods that lack ability for customizing Rapidly prototyping and producing plastic objects and multi-material items, with potential to significantly customize products for individual consumers RepRap Project, Contour Crafting, D-Shape
Claytronics Theory, experiment 3D printing, traditional manufacturing methods and tools

Molecular assembler Theory, experiment 3D printing, traditional manufacturing methods and tools
Replicator (Star Trek)
Utility fog Theory, experiment


Materials science

Emerging technology Status Potentially marginalized technologies Potential applications Related articles
Aerogel Theory, experiments, diffusion, early uses[96] Traditional Insulation, Glass Improved insulation, insulative glass if it can be made clear, sleeves for oil pipelines, aerospace, high-heat & extreme cold applications
Conductive Polymers Research, experiments, prototypes Conductors Lighter and cheaper wires, antistatic materials, organic solar cells
Graphene Theory, experiments, diffusion, early uses[97][98] silicon-based integrated circuit Components with higher strength to weight ratios, transistors that operate at higher frequency, lower cost of display screens in mobile devices, storing hydrogen for fuel cell powered cars, sensors to diagnose diseases[99]
High-temperature superconductivity Cryogenic receiver front-end (CRFE) RF and microwave filter systems for mobile phone base stations; prototypes in dry ice; theory and experiments for higher temperatures[100] Copper wire, semiconductor integral circuits No loss conductors, frictionless bearings, magnetic levitation, lossless high-capacity accumulators, electric cars, heat-free integral circuits and processors
High-temperature superfluidity Superfluid gyroscopes already exist but work at very low temperatures Mechanical gyroscope High-precision measure of gravity, navigation and maneuver devices, possible devices to emit gravitomagnetic field, frictionless mechanical devices
Metamaterials Theory, experiments, diffusion[101] Classical optics Microscopes, cameras, metamaterial cloaking, cloaking devices
Multi-function structures[102] Theory, experiments, some prototypes, few commercial Composite materials mostly Wide range, e.g., self health monitoring, self healing, morphing...
Nanomaterials: carbon nanotubes Theory, experiments, diffusion, early uses[103][104] Structural steel and aluminium Stronger, lighter materials, space elevator Potential applications of carbon nanotubes, carbon fiber
Programmable matter Theory, experiments[105][106] Coatings, catalysts Wide range, e.g., claytronics, synthetic biology
Quantum dots Research, experiments, prototypes[107] LCD, LED Quantum dot laser, future use as programmable matter in display technologies (TV, projection), optical data communications (high-speed data transmission), medicine (laser scalpel)
Silicene



Military

Emerging technology Status Potentially marginalized technologies Potential applications Related articles
Airborne laser Research and development, trials Missile defense Tracking and destruction of tactical ballistic missiles Advanced Tactical Laser, High Energy Liquid Laser Area Defense System
Antimatter weapon Theory Nuclear weapons

Caseless ammunition Field tests and some niche markets Cartridges

Directed energy weapon Research, development, some prototypes[108] Firearms Warfare
Electrolaser Research and development Taser

Electromagnetic weapons Research and development[109][110] Firearms Warfare Coilgun, Railgun
Electrothermal-chemical technology Research and development Conventional ammunition Tank, artillery, and close-in weapon systems
Particle beam weapon Research and development Firearms Warfare
Plasma weapon Research


Pure fusion weapon Theory


Sonic weapon Research and development


Stealth technology Research and development Camouflage Electronic countermeasures Plasma stealth, Stealth aircraft, Radar-absorbent material
Vortex ring gun Research and development tear gas Crowd control

Neuroscience

Emerging technology Status Potentially marginalized technologies Potential applications Related articles
Ampakine

Enhance attention span and alertness, and facilitate learning and memory
Artificial brain IBM Blue Brain project


Brain-computer interface Research and commercialization Video games, television, and movies A revolution in entertainment, etc.
Brain-reading, Neuroinformatics Research[111][112][113]
Mind uploading, enabling individuals with brain damage to communicate[114]
Electroencephalography Research, diffusion[115][116] Keyboards and other interfaces Controlling electronic devices via brain waves
Neuroprosthetics

Visual prosthesis, brain implant, exocortex, retinal implant

Robotics

Emerging technology Status Potentially marginalized technologies Potential applications Related articles
Molecular nanotechnology, nanorobotics Theory, experiments[117] Products and parts production, retail distribution Machines (desktop, industrial) that can make anything given the materials, cheap planetary terraforming
Powered exoskeleton Research, development, prototypes, diffusion, commercializing[118] Electric wheelchairs, forklifts Heavy lifting, paralysis, muscle related diseases, warfare, construction, care for the elderly and disabled. LOPES (exoskeleton), ReWalk, Human Universal Load Carrier, fictional armor Iron Man's armor, Future Force Warrior
Self-reconfiguring modular robot Theory, experiments, early prototypes Other ways to form physical structures and machines As a universal physical machine, SRCMR may change the way we make many physical structures and machines Robot, swarm robotics, autonomous research robot
Swarm robotics Theory, experiments[119] Distributed computing, complexity in behavior by simplicity in architecture Autonomous construction, space construction Swarm intelligence, autonomous robotics, nanorobotics, particle swarm optimization, multi-agent systems, behavior-based robotics
Unmanned vehicle Research and development, some diffusion Manned vehicles, human spying Mass surveillance, eavesdropping, Oceanography, Commercial aerial surveillance of livestock monitoring, wildfire mapping, pipeline security, home security, road patrol and anti-piracy. Domestic aerial surveillance, patrol the nation's borders, scout property, and hunt down fugitives, Oil gas and mineral exploration and production, geophysical surveys, geomagnetic surveys, transport of goods, Scientific research in areas to dangerous for pilots like a droid hurricane tornado hunter, Armed attack, Search and rescue, explosives and Bomb disposal, peacekeeping operations, ground surveillance, gatekeeper/checkpoint operations, urban street presence, enhance police and military raids in urban settings. Unmanned aerial vehicle, AeroVironment, AeroVironment Global Observer, AeroVironment Nano Hummingbird, Unmanned combat air vehicle, Unmanned ground vehicleUnmanned space vehicleUnmanned surface vehicleUnmanned underwater vehicle, Autonomous underwater vehicle

Transport

Emerging technology Status Potentially marginalized technologies Potential applications Related articles
Airless tire Research, development, early prototypes[120][121][122] Conventional tire[122] Safer tires[122] Tweel
Alternative fuel vehicle Commercialization, diffusion Internal combustion engine Reducing air pollution, decreasing oil consumption Electric vehicle, Hydrogen vehicle
Beam-powered propulsion Theory

Laser propulsion
Driverless car Research, development, prototypes[123][124][125] Driver's licenses, rules of the road, traffic lights, traffic sign, highway patrols, vehicle insurances Reducing traffic collision, increasing road capacity, reducing air pollution, reducing traffic congestion Google driverless car, General Motors EN-V, CityCar, MIT Car
Flexible wings (X-53 Active Aeroelastic Wing, Adaptive Compliant Wing), fluidic flight controls Experiments, prototypes[126][127][128][129][130] Other flight control systems: ailerons, elevators, elevons, flaps, flaperons
Controlling aircraft, ships Aircraft flight control system, BAE Systems Demon, fluidics
Flying car Early commercialization, prototypes[131][132] Automobile, road More effective transportation Terrafugia Transition, Moller M400 Skycar, Urban Aeronautics X-Hawk
Hovertrain, Ground effect train Research, development[133][134] Conventional trains Trains with higher speed Aérotrain, Duke Hospital PRT, Hovercraft
Ion thruster In use


Jet pack or backpack helicopter Early commercialization, prototypes[135][136] Automobile More effective transportation
Maglev train, Vactrain Research, early commercialization[137][138][139] Conventional trains Trains with higher speed Shanghai Maglev Train, Linimo
Mass driver Prototypes


Personal rapid transit Early commercialization, diffusion[140][141] Automobile More effective transportation Morgantown PRT, ULTra
Propellant depot Research, development Heavy lift rockets enabling deep-space missions with more massive payloads, satellite life extension, ultimately lowering the cost per kg launched to space
Pulse detonation engine Testbed demos


Reusable launch system Research, development Expendable launch system Surface-to-orbit transport SpaceX Grasshopper
Scramjet Research, development[142][143][144] Conventional jet engine Hypersonic aircraft NASA X-43
Solar sail In 2010, IKAROS was the world's first spacecraft designed to use solar sailing propulsion to be successfully launched
Space travel
Space elevator Research, development[145]

Non-rocket spacelaunch, Orbital ring, Sky hook, Space fountain
Spaceplane Research, development[146][147][148] Conventional airliners Hypersonic transport A2, Skylon
Supersonic transport Commercialization existed, diffusion Conventional airliners Airliner with higher speed Concorde, Tupolev Tu-144

Other

Emerging technology Status Potentially marginalized technologies Potential applications Related articles
Anti-gravity Theory and experiments[149][150]


Arcology Theory


Biometrics Diffusion Keys and ID documents

Bioplastic Some products developed Fossil fuel plastics

Cloak of invisibility Successful experiments cloaking small objects under some conditions[151][152] Camouflage[152] Cloaking microscope tips at optical frequencies[152] Metamaterial cloaking
Digital scent technology Diffusion

Smell-O-Vision, iSmell
Domed city NASA develops a geodesic dome for a moon base
Weather-controlled city, colonization of the moon
Force field Theory, experiments[153] Armor Military and law enforcement, space travel Plasma window
Hypertelescope Theory
astronomy
Immersive virtual reality Theory, limited commercialization Consensus reality An artificial environment where the user feels just as immersed as they usually feel in consensus reality. Virtusphere, 3rd Space Vest, haptic suit, immersive technology, simulated reality, holodeck (fictional)
Inflatable space habitat Developed, prototypes built and tested Traditional "aluminium can" space habitat modules Space habitats Bigelow Aerospace
LED lamp Commercialization Incandescent lights, compact fluorescent lights

Magnetic levitation Research, development, Commercialization (Maglev Train) Wheels, tires, conventional transportation systems High temperature superconductivity, cryogenics, low temperature refrigerators, superconducting magnet design and construction, fiber reinforced plastics for vehicles and structural concretes, communication and high power solid-state controls, vehicle design (aerodynamics and noise mitigation), precision manufacturing, construction and fabrication of concrete structures,[154] maglev car, maglev based spacecraft launch Levicar
Magnetic refrigeration Already used for achieving cryogenic temperatures in the laboratory setting (below 10K) Conventional refrigerators Refrigeration without the need for compression and with more energy efficient which may be in refrigerators, air conditioners and spacecrafts
Magnetorheological fluid developed and researched Shock absorber Magnetorheological damper heavy motor damping, operator seat/cab damping in construction vehicles, seismic dampers positioned in building absorbing detrimental shock waves and oscillations within the structure making them earthquake-proof, enhance body armor fluid bullet resistant, Humvees, and various other all-terrain vehicles employ dynamic MR shock absorbers/dampers. Magnetorheological finishing was used in the construction of the Hubble Space Telescope's corrective lens, shock absorbers of a vehicle's suspension are filled with magnetorheological fluid. Electrorheological fluid
Miniaturized satellite Research, development, some prototypes Conventional satellites Inexpensive satellites, constellations for low data rate communications, using formations to gather data from multiple points, in-orbit inspection of larger satellites.
Synthetic biology, synthetic genomics Research, development, first synthetic bacteria created May 2010[155][156] Chemical industry, petroleum industry, process manufacturing Creating infinitely scalable production processes based on programmable species of bacteria and other life forms BioBrick, iGEM, synthetic genomics
Vehicular communication systems Research and development, some diffusion Automobile safety vehicle safety obstacle inform others warnings on entering intersections, Traffic management Accommodating ambulances, fire trucks, and police cars to a specific situation such as hot pursuits and bad weather, Driver assistance systems, Automated highways. Artificial Passenger, Dedicated short-range communications, Intelligent transportation system

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