Trends Identified
Preparations based on human cell cultivation products to stimulate regeneration processes
The use of preparations based on cell cultivations stimulating regeneration processes will make it possible to overcome diseases which were previously seen as incurable through the potential for a patient to reproduce their own cells or have cells introduced into the body. By varying the cell cultivation conditions (for example, by placing them in a hypoxic environment), it is possible to change the relationship of factors according to the required results (stimulating or suppressing angiogenesis, apoptosis and the proliferation of receptor cells).
2016
Russia 2030: science and technology foresight
Russia, Ministry of Education and Science of the Russian Federation
Targeted drug delivery components and systems
Targeted drug delivery components and systems will increase the effectiveness of treatments through the targeted conveyance of medicinal substances directly to the target organ (tissue). The use of these systems will help to reduce the level of toxicity and side effects of drugs, as well as making them most cost-effective. In the long-term, there is expected to be “smart” medicines capable of reacting both to internal conditions and to changes in the state of the patient’s body. The systems being developed will find application in treatments for various types of socially significant diseases: oncological, infectious, chronic inflammatory, mental illnesses, hormonal disorders, etc.
2016
Russia 2030: science and technology foresight
Russia, Ministry of Education and Science of the Russian Federation
Drugs based on living cells
The introduction of medicines based on living cells (autologous, donor, primary, cultivated, differentiated and modified) will form a basis for cell therapy and tissue engineering for transplanting stem cells into certain parts of the body, as well as equivalents engineered on the basis of stem cells, which could be able to restore the structure and functions of damaged tissues and organs. Technologies to obtain stem cells from patient tissues will make it possible to make treatment materials within a matter of hours. The techniques used to selectively cultivate and differentiate this type of cell will allow for rapid and effective treatments for various pathologies. A new and fundamental property of these technologies is the complete compatibility of the stem cells taken from the patient’s own differentiated tissues with the patient’s body. In this regard, it is possible to rule out infections: the cells have reduced (compared with embryonic) capabilities to differentiate into unwanted directions.
2016
Russia 2030: science and technology foresight
Russia, Ministry of Education and Science of the Russian Federation
New materials to stimulate regeneration, activity and cytodifferentiation in the body
New materials to stimulate the regeneration, activity and differentiation of cells in the body offer the potential to cure pathologies in the musculoskeletal system, wounds of various aetiology, cardiovascular diseases, etc. Innovative techniques are based on bioengineering “grafting” technologies in this field and are required, with the necessary speed, to regenerate cells and to subsequently form various tissues and organs directly in the body on the basis of those cells. At the end of the prescribed timeframe, the biodegradable polymer materials leave the body, breaking down with natural metabolic products. New technologies will help to speed up the healing of all types of tissue, prevent the formation of adhesions, and reduce the number of complications after operations, thus providing a significant increase in patients’ quality of life.
2016
Russia 2030: science and technology foresight
Russia, Ministry of Education and Science of the Russian Federation
Alternative motor fuels
Alternative motor fuels are intended to satisfy future demands for liquid fuel and are characterised by acceptable costs, minimal environmental and health impact, and increased reliability of supply to domestic markets. In relation to the expected growth in demand for motor fuel, which in Russia now accounts for at least 80-85% of petroleum product output, this alternative product could replace an increasing share of fuels derived from crude oil. According to experts, the likelihood of such fuels competing with traditional fuels after 2020 is high.
2016
Russia 2030: science and technology foresight
Russia, Ministry of Education and Science of the Russian Federation
Bioreplaceable materials
The expected social effect of bioreplaceable materials for orthopaedics, replicating the architectonics of bone tissues and making it possible to heal bone defects, lies in the reduced level of disability in the population, the reduction in periods of incapacity, and the reduction in the length of hospitalisation and rehabilitation periods. Together with this, there is expected to be a fall in the risk of repeated prosthesis replacements. Within the existing technological base, a pool of innovative techniques is being developed which could offer radical medical care to restore bone tissue.
2016
Russia 2030: science and technology foresight
Russia, Ministry of Education and Science of the Russian Federation
Physical value sensors based on nanomaterials
Physical value sensors based on nanomaterials could be used in special measuring devices. They comprise two sub-groups of innovative products: 1 electromagnetic wave measurement sensors: hard x-ray, ultraviolet, infrared, radio emissions, etc.; 2 sensors designed to measure linear and angular displacement (produced using materials made from nanotubes with zero transverse deformation coefficient), acceleration (based on the tunnel effect with sensitive nanoelements), and terahertz radiation using planar nanostructures (based on ultra-thin metal films). This sub-group also includes optical nanosensors for mechanical stress (based on elastic inverted photon crystals), etc.
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
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
New types of light and high-strength materials
New types of light and high-strength materials primarily relate to products based on carbon fibres. Their most important characteristics (high elastic and strength qualities, lightness, low friction coefficient, resistance to atmospheric effects and chemical reagents) and special features of their structure make it possible to combine carbon fibre materials with other types of fibres: boric, glass, and aramid. As a result, light and strong products can be created, combining the competitive advantages of two source materials. Such hybrid com- posites have already found application in the aerospace sector and sporting equipment industry. Other materials which meet the criteria of lightness and high strength can be created on the basis of nanostructured alloys or aluminium, titanium and several other metals. The most in demand will be the following products: high-strength mixtures based on nanostructured structural polymers;_x000B_polymer composite materials with the addition of small quantities of carbon nanoparticles; stronger composite materials based on nanomaterials using wood; nanostructured composite materials based on light metals – Al, Ti, Mg – containing nanofibres made from super-high-molecular polyethylene, etc._x000B_
2016
Russia 2030: science and technology foresight
Russia, Ministry of Education and Science of the Russian Federation