Trends Identified
Nanostructured bio-compatible materials
In the near future we can expect active development in technology to create nanostructured bio-compatible materials for medical use, primarily in two areas: 1 developing materials to manufacture implants and substitutes for various tissues (for example, oxide or phosphate bio-coatings are applied to strong and relatively light titanium implants to prevent rejection by living tissues); 2 the creation of materials with properties and structures similar to those found in the human body. One example is bone implants with a porous structure based on calcium phosphate. Ideally, medical materials should complement natural fabrics. With the emergence of nanostructured bio-compatible and bioresorbable implants, the structure of the prostheses and implants market, together with the principles and approaches to prosthetics, have changed significantly. The introduction of new technologies will make it possible to increase the active life of humans, reduce population disabilities, and improve people’s quality of life.
2016
Russia 2030: science and technology foresight
Russia, Ministry of Education and Science of the Russian Federation
High-efficiency photo converters
In the near future, solar energy will be based primarily on the use of various types of highly-effective photoconverters. One of its key advantages is the ability for end users to generate electricity directly, which makes it possible to save on the development of the electricity networks. Currently new promising photoconverters are being actively developed. The technology previews using the full spectrum of solar radiation, characterized by high efficiency factor and long life. Photovoltaic power sources are used to supply power to consumers across a broad power spectrum: from several watts (mini-generators for watches and calculators) to several megawatts (power stations). One key use of photovoltaic converters is in various types of solar arrays; transport and aviation applications for solar arrays are currently under development.
2016
Russia 2030: science and technology foresight
Russia, Ministry of Education and Science of the Russian Federation
Between Governance of the Past and Technology of the Future
In the online world, people are used to instant, accessible and personalised services. But the infrastructure for politics is still based on technology developed in the 18th and 19th centuries. In many parts of everyday life, voters are used to a consumer experience where they get instant feedback and personal participation; but party membership, ballot boxes and stump speeches do not offer the same speed, control or personal engagement. The institutions of representative democracy at national and EU level – political parties, elected members, law- making – do not offer the same quality of experience for their ultimate consumers. This matters because it is causing voters to switch o . Broad participation by most of the population in the practice of democracy is vital for societies to remain open because it ensures pluralism and prevents takeover of power by narrow interests. But in some countries and some elections, turnout is regularly below a third of registered voters, especially in European Parliament elections.
2016
Shaping the future
European Strategy and Policy Analysis System (ESPAS)
Increasingly severe consequences of climate change
In the past 150 years, the atmosphere and the oceans have warmed, snow and ice cover has decreased, sea levels have risen and many extreme weather and climate events have become more frequent. This warming of the global climate is unprecedented over millennia.
2015
Assessment of global megatrends - an update
European Environment Agency (EEA)
'It’s not the big fish that eat the small...It’s the fast that eat the slow.'
In the past two decades, the world has been experiencing a period of unprecedented transition in political, social, economic and environmental areas mainly driven by an exponential change in technology. The rate of change in many aspects of human society is expected to continue creating both opportunities and perils. A recently introduced phrase- 'a black elephant.' 2 3 - is used to describe existing and foreseeable problems of great magnitude and complexity. There are many black elephants: failed and failing states, global warming, water scarcity, mass immigration, income inequality, and rising global powers challenging the international order. Additionally, the growing role of non-state actors and super- empowered individuals in domestic and international affairs has increased the complexity of addressing these black elephants in the strategic environment.
2016
Shaping the future
European Strategy and Policy Analysis System (ESPAS)
VOICE, NOT JUST A TREND
In the past two years we’ve profiled the emergence and adoption of ‘voice’ as a way for customers to achieve what they set out to do in their daily lives. We identified bots in 2016 as an emerging trend; and in last year’s report – The End of Typing – we profiled the explosion of smart speakers from the likes of Amazon and Google amongst others as they sought to enter the home. Looking to 2019 it’s fair to say that we’ve reached critical mass in terms of the number of devices (phones, speakers, cars, and now even toilets!) that are voice-enabled with conversational user interfaces and voice assistants.
2019
The Ogilvy Consulting Trends for 2019
Ogilvy
Conflicts and violence
In the post-World War II period, while the number of external or interstate conflicts (conflicts between two or more states) declined, there has been an upsurge in internal or intrastate conflicts (conflicts between a government and non-state actors within a state) (IEP 2016). In 2015, for instance, there were 280 intrastate conflicts, in contrast to 74 interstate conflicts, with internal conflicts constituting about 80 percent of the global conflict count (HIIK 2015, 2016).
2017
Global trends
UNDP
New varieties of plants and breeds of agricultural animals
In the short term new varieties of crop plants and breeds of agricultural animals could be achieved by using molecular markets in selective work, double haploid technologies, genetic engineering, and other methods. It is expected that new varieties and hybrids will have properties such as high nutritional content, increased productivity, and/or other benefits (size of fruit, ripening time), and resistance to diseases, pests and adverse environmental conditions. The development of genome selection technologies will make it possible to develop new, higher quality breeds of agricultural animals (for example, in terms of meat fat content) with faster growth which, in turn, will contribute to rational use of animal feed. The practical introduction of new products will lead to an increase in the efficiency of agricultural production and a reduction in crop losses.
2016
Russia 2030: science and technology foresight
Russia, Ministry of Education and Science of the Russian Federation
Nanostructured materials and reagents for water purification processes
In the short term we can expect to see the emergence of nanostructured materials and reagents for water purification processes (water treatment, raw food processing). With the transition to these technologies, the problems of drinking water supplies and efficient purification of household and industrial sewerage will largely be solved, in particular by using various types of hybrid membranes with embedded nanoparticles. It is possible to significantly intensify water purification processes using membranes with an asymmetric (gradient) distribution of nano-particles by restructuring membrane pore and channel structures. Such an effect can occur upon implementation of electromembrane technologies, allowing for an increase in the electro-catalytic activity of particles in a water dissociation reaction which enables higher speed electrodialysis purification of water in extreme currents. Ion-exchange and membrane materials containing nanoparticles of metals are used for further removal of dissolved oxygen from water, which is extremely important for a number of processes in today’s electronics industry. Ion-exchange and filter membranes will be widely used in food production and processing.
2016
Russia 2030: science and technology foresight
Russia, Ministry of Education and Science of the Russian Federation
Democracy fatigued
In the West, the disintegration, or even a crisis, of democracy has been discussed for years. Turnout percentages and party memberships have steadily decreased. However, awareness of the crisis in discussions has not led to activities to reinforce democracy. Not even the financial crisis or the rise of populism have brought reforms. The game only changed in 2016. The United Kingdom’s decision to leave the EU, the subversive election struggle in the United States and Donald Trump’s presidency, which defied all familiar political models, have encapsulated many of the problems with democracy that must be solved promptly. In order for democracy to work, it must be reinforced, new methods of operation must be found and there must be greater inclusion.
2017
Megatrends 2017
Finland, The Finnish Innovation Fund Sitra