Trends Identified

Inequality
Rising inequality could threaten growth. Demographic shifts combined with the next phase of automation will increase income inequality from already high levels. Middle- and low-income families are likely to be hit hardest, putting downward pressure on consumer spending and growth.
2018
Labor 2030: The Collision of Demographics, Automation and Inequality
Bain and Company
Eco-friendly bioplastic films
(Definition) Biodegradable and transparent bioplastic films that are available to be used as packaging materials for foods and medical suppliers with proven safety to humans. (Use) Available to replace existing packaging materials, of which safety to humans are not verified, and track the products or provide consumers with related information by using QR and RD
2019
KISTEP 10 Emerging Technologies 2019
South Korea, Korea Institute of S&T Evaluation and Planning (KISTEP)
Materials for sensory substitution devices
(Definition) A technology allowing restoration/regeneration or enhancement of lost sensory function. It is the technology for sensory substitution devices by converging a sensory technology providing a sense of recognition exceeding human-level performance with sensory-neuron based recognition/stimulus device technology. (Use) Available to be used as a substitute of sensory organs of which functions are lost resulting from population ageing and for restoring lost senses of the disabled, contributing to improving the quality of life.
2019
KISTEP 10 Emerging Technologies 2019
South Korea, Korea Institute of S&T Evaluation and Planning (KISTEP)
3D print artificial organs
(Definition) A 3D bioprinting technology to create tissues or organs by fabricating living cells to have desired shapes or patterns (Use) Available to be used for restoration of tissues, organs, and others of patients with difficulties in transplant treatment such as lack of replacing organs, immune response, etc.
2019
KISTEP 10 Emerging Technologies 2019
South Korea, Korea Institute of S&T Evaluation and Planning (KISTEP)
Fire-resistant solid electrolytes with high-efficiency
(Definition) A technology that enables a significant improvement on cell stability and energy density by replacing flammable organic liquid electrolytes of existing lithium-ion cells with ones having ionic conductivity (solid state). (Use) Create an eco-friendly and energy efficient society where EVs, with which travelling a long-distance is available by charging once with no worry about explosion or fire ignition, are widely used.
2019
KISTEP 10 Emerging Technologies 2019
South Korea, Korea Institute of S&T Evaluation and Planning (KISTEP)
Fast charging/ discharging battery for transport
(Definition) Lithium secondary battery technology that significantly reduces charging duration of EV batteries, which currently takes about 6 hours for full charge, while improving power output characteristics. (Use) Available to travel to the destination by an EV that is fully charged while having a coffee with refreshments thanks to the development/ commercialization of fast charging lithium rechargeable batteries without loss to energy density or performance.
2019
KISTEP 10 Emerging Technologies 2019
South Korea, Korea Institute of S&T Evaluation and Planning (KISTEP)
Ultra lightweight transport devices
(Definition) A next-gen technology that allows transport devices and vehicles encompassing a large area of public/private infrastructure to save energy which is required for various sectors, while satisfying strict environmental regulations and requirements. (Use) Continuous-fiber composite materials are used for frames and load carrying members of autonomous driving vehicles, hybrid vehicles, EVs, hydrogen fuel cell vehicles, and other future transport devices.
2019
KISTEP 10 Emerging Technologies 2019
South Korea, Korea Institute of S&T Evaluation and Planning (KISTEP)
Next-gen nuclear fusion materials withstanding extreme environments
(Definition) Materials technologies relating to materials for the blanket that converts the energy generated from the deuterium-tritium reaction into thermal energy and divertor reducing charged particles and thermal fluxes from plasma by using the magnetic field structure for the development of nuclear fusion technology (Use) Secure a clean and safe source of energy in large volume by commercializing nuclear reactors based on the development of fusion materials.
2019
KISTEP 10 Emerging Technologies 2019
South Korea, Korea Institute of S&T Evaluation and Planning (KISTEP)
Stretchable display
(Definition) A truly flexible display technology enabling unlimited changes in appearance and length as well as production of displays in large areas at low cost. (Use) Skin smartphone that can transform the appearance, double curvature and ultra-thin displays for vehicles, health monitoring devices with E-skin patch displays, active use of IoT with stretchable wall display.
2019
KISTEP 10 Emerging Technologies 2019
South Korea, Korea Institute of S&T Evaluation and Planning (KISTEP)
Chemical materials with autonomous life-cycle control
(Definition) A technology enabling autonomous life-cycle protection, report, and decomposition control against external environments. (Use) Available to apply to IoT devices that detect and transfer environmental changes in daily life with no power or in a low-power state and contribute to improve the confidence on the safety of structures such as roads, bridges, and buildings by detecting and reporting abnormal symptoms for disaster protection and restoring the given properties to a certain extent autonomously.
2019
KISTEP 10 Emerging Technologies 2019
South Korea, Korea Institute of S&T Evaluation and Planning (KISTEP)