Trends Identified
Gas-hydrates
In Russia there are favourable conditions for the formation and conservation of significant gas-hydrate reserves. It should be noted that this build-up of natural methane hydrates has the greatest possible commercial prospects for industrial development, which is currently limited by the high cost of extraction and high technological risks. The development of industrial technology to extract gas-hydrates would contribute to unprecedented increases in gas reserves, capable of satisfying global demand for several centuries into the future. The extraction of methane from new major gas-hydrate deposits could radically change the configuration of the global gas market and the composition of its major players – both producers and buyers. This is due to the fact that large methane hydrate resources are held by countries which import natural gas (for example, Japan). In Russia, the continental resources of gas-hydrates which are the most promising for industrial development are estimated at approximately 400 trillion m3 and are concentrated in areas along permafrost formations in Eastern Siberia, the Timan-Pechora and Western Siberian oil and gas basins.
2016
Russia 2030: science and technology foresight
Russia, Ministry of Education and Science of the Russian Federation
Digital Assistant based on Deep Learning
(Definition) Technology that enables computers to run cognition-based tasks for humans and assist in decision-making and improving work efficiency by learning huge amounts of related data.(Application) Tasks through information search and preliminary analysis for personal tasks and decision making; effective scheduling and errand running; utilization in various areas including private secretary work, effective work direction/supervision, automation process of manufacturing business, and education.
2016
KISTEP 10 Emerging Technologies 2016
South Korea, Korea Institute of S&T Evaluation and Planning (KISTEP)
Virtual Reality Technology for Leisure
(Definition) Technology that enables users to experience diverse leisure activities without the limitations of time and space by recreating a virtual environment and circumstances similar to reality based on ICT and by reenacting visual, auditorial, and sensational information during leisure activities. (Application) Products and services that allow users to experience virtually varied cultures and environments such as virtual sports, trips and experiences of diverse spaces, cyber museums and large-scale concerts, and interactive games.
2016
KISTEP 10 Emerging Technologies 2016
South Korea, Korea Institute of S&T Evaluation and Planning (KISTEP)
Social Robots
(Definition) Machine and software which increases emotional satisfaction by fulfilling the mental and physical needs of human users through interacting with the user in daily life. (Application) Various personal services for emotional dependence or bonding through empathy; treatment of mental illness (dementia, autism, etc.); emotional stability support for the underprivileged; and emotional ICT-based products and services.
2016
KISTEP 10 Emerging Technologies 2016
South Korea, Korea Institute of S&T Evaluation and Planning (KISTEP)
Off-shore wind farms
Global growth in electrical capacity at wind farms in the period up to 2035 is expected to be approximately 860 GW, 20% of which should come from high-tech sea-based wind farms. These will be built fastest of all; their total power, according to experts, should grow by more than 40 times, which grounds the interest to off-shore wind farms. At present wind farms’ share of total electricity generation is no more than 1.7%, with the majority only serving as pilot projects. The spread of this type of power plant will make it possible to significantly expand the use of wind’s resources and avoid a number of problems related to the development of land-based wind power, such as the inability to use the land for other economic activities, noise pollution, and the influence of strobing, etc. Off-shore wind is more of a “quality” resource for wind energy, as it is characterised by greater average annual speeds and continuity.
2016
Russia 2030: science and technology foresight
Russia, Ministry of Education and Science of the Russian Federation
Fuel cells
Fuel cells are also potential avenues for development in environmentally-friendly energy. The development of devices offering direct conversion of a fuel’s chemical energy into electricity has for several decades laid claim to the role of a breakthrough technology capable of completely revolutionising the energy sector. The achievements of recent years have brought this technology close to the stage of mass commercial adoption and have regained interest from energy companies. Three main types of fuel cells use are being considered: stationary energy (electricity generation, cogeneration, uninterruptible power supply units); transport energy (power sources in electric vehicles, trucks, military equipment, spacecraft, etc.); portable energy (power sources in mobile devices, battery chargers, etc.). The key strengths of fuel cells are considered to be their high efficiency factor (60–80%) and small size. Shortfalls include the lack of infrastructure for charging and the high cost of platinum which is used as a catalyst.
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
High capacity electrochemical batteries
Electrochemical batteries to store electricity (accumulators) have seen widespread use in many sectors, primarily for mobile devices and on transport, as well as in stationary units – to provide an uninterrupted supply to important devices (communications, computer equipment, etc.). High capacity electrochemical batteries, used in the energy sector for relatively long-term storage of electricity, could play an important role in distributed generation systems to provide an operational reserve and stabilise the electrophysical parameters of local power systems, including regulating the frequency and voltage. The use of next-generation electrochemical batteries will make it possible to increase the competitiveness of renewable energy sources and to practically implement the distributed generation concept – increasing the load and efficiency of traditional electricity generation units through the opportunity to store energy, increasing the quality of the electricity supply to end consumers, reducing electricity loss in the power grids, cutting development and operating costs for trunk power lines, storing electricity and creating an operational power reserve directly at consumers’ location.
2016
Russia 2030: science and technology foresight
Russia, Ministry of Education and Science of the Russian Federation
Big Data-based Infectious Disease Prediction and Alert System
(Definition) Technology that predicts the potential regional spread of infectious diseases, by utilizing diverse data such as the dissemination process of diseases, infected patients, and population data. (Application) Real-time big data analysis assists the government authority with disease management policy and improves the infectious disease control and management plan at the national level, securing public health and safety.
2016
KISTEP 10 Emerging Technologies 2016
South Korea, Korea Institute of S&T Evaluation and Planning (KISTEP)
System-based Technology for Particulate Matter Control
(Definition) Measures, classifies, samples, purifies, predicts, and monitors PM10 in the atmosphere to allow people to engage in daily activities safely. (Application) Particulate matter prediction and monitoring alert system; portable guide programs for Particulate matter measurement and management; particulate matter removal (purification) system for indoor environments.
2016
KISTEP 10 Emerging Technologies 2016
South Korea, Korea Institute of S&T Evaluation and Planning (KISTEP)