Trends Identified
“smart” networks, including micro-networks
The development of “smart” networks, including micro-networks, is aimed at reducing the cost of electricity and creating power reserves directly at end consumers’ location. The result of further improvements to this technology should be an increase in the reliability and security of power supplies, higher levels of technological processes’ computerization, the introduction of digital technologies and microprocessor equipment into monitoring and control systems, and reductions in operating costs. Demand for these technologies and equipment in Russia is relatively high, due to the need for large-scale renovation of Russia’s electrical energy sector. The growth in global demand for electrical equipment also creates high export potential.
2016
Russia 2030: science and technology foresight
Russia, Ministry of Education and Science of the Russian Federation
Closed nuclear fuel cycle with fast neutron reactors
One of the limitations for modern nuclear energy with an open nuclear fuel cycle and thermal neutron reactors is the significant and ever growing amount of stored irradiated nuclear fuel. Moreover, these technologies do not make it fully possible to use the energy stored in nuclear energy resources, as more than 90% of extracted uranium remains in enrichment plant heaps, and the effectiveness of the fuel’s use in hot water reactors is low. An integrated solution to existing problems is possible by concentrating efforts and resources to develop next- generation nuclear energy based on fast neutron reactors with a closed nuclear fuel cycle. This is a set of connected technological solutions, capable of guaranteeing extended reproduction of fissile nuclear material together with generating electricity while minimizing radioactive load on the environment across all technological conversion stages and, thus, having a revolutionary impact on the global nuclear energy market. A further benefit of the closed nuclear fuel cycle is the ability to use fast neutron reactors to solve the historically inherited problem of accumulating nuclear waste. This innovative technology is fundamentally different from existing ones due to the lack of the two key expensive technological conversion processes – uranium extraction and enrichment – and the existence of a technologically new conversion process – the multifold refabrication of the nuclear fuel which is combined with the immobilisation and final isolation of the high-level radioactive waste.
2016
Russia 2030: science and technology foresight
Russia, Ministry of Education and Science of the Russian Federation
Applied superconductivity
One of the most promising innovative directions to increase energy efficiency is applied superconductivity technology, namely the integrated development and establishment of production of a wide range of electro-technical equipment based on the latest technologies with the use of unique materials – high-temperature superconductors. In the commercial energy sector, the use of superconductors is particularly attractive in terms of creating cables and power engineering and electricity storage (inductive capacitors). Superconductive cables, on account of their extremely low energy loss, are able to display a higher level of energy-efficiency in networks, creating fundamentally new conditions to manage generation facilities and to export electricity. Superconductive energy storage technologies will smooth out peak loads and align voltage and current, offsetting electricity supply in the event of network incidents, which will make it possible to negate the varying nature of alternative generation. Electro-technical equipment and power units based on superconductivity are designed to increase efficiency on rail and sea transport, in the energy sector, in the oil and gas industry, in the manufacturing sector, and others. Maximum results can be obtained by combining these with smart grid technologies. Russian developments in high-temperature superconductors are at various stages, from basic research to operational testing of prototypes of various forms of superconductor equipment. Forecasts of the Russian superconductor electrical equipment market are very optimistic and reflect its high potential and opportunities for long term growth. It is expected that the production volumes of various types of equipment (storage (5–20 MJ), current limiters (3–35 kW), generators (5–35 MW), electric motors (5–35 MW), synchronous compensators (5–35 MW), cables (1 km, 20 kW, 2 kA), transformers, etc.) will account for 36.5 billion roubles by 2020.
2016
Russia 2030: science and technology foresight
Russia, Ministry of Education and Science of the Russian Federation
Mental Health Diagnostic and Treatment Technology
(Definition) By developing an algorithm that analyzes the correlation between various biometric signals received by a sensor module, data transmission and communication module and mental health symptoms, and predicts illness, this technology can forecast the aggravation of symptoms, and control, prevent and provide early treatment for the physiological and behavioral signal changes that reflect maladjustment and psychopathological processes from mental stress.(Application) Various mental health improvement and management services using IoT and smart devices; organization's mental health or social anger status monitoring system; and prediction, early diagnosis, and new treatment for mental illness based on brain-behavior.
2016
KISTEP 10 Emerging Technologies 2016
South Korea, Korea Institute of S&T Evaluation and Planning (KISTEP)
Medicine gets personal
Prepare for tailor-made treatment
2016
World in 2017
The Economist
Gene-ius therapies
The age of gene therapy arrives at last
2016
World in 2017
The Economist
The internet of wings
An ambitious project will start in 2017 designed to track from space the movement and behaviour of animals, large and small, anywhere they travel around the world. In June a Russian rocket will carry an array of sensitive dish antennae up to the International Space Station. Orbiting low over Earth, the antennae will be able to decode faint radio signals from tiny solar-powered tracking tags, light enough for migrating songbirds to carry safely. If all goes well, within two years as many as 20,000 animals may be tagged—and further into the future hundreds of thousands more, as the tags become light enough to be carried even by large flying insects such as locusts.
2016
World in 2017
The Economist
When robots feel your pain
Isaac Asimov, Arthur C. Clarke, Gene Roddenberry and their futurist kin all expected robots one day to play a pivotal part in the realm of medicine. It is safe to say that systems as complex as the heart surgeon in Asimov’s “Segregationist” and the Emergency Medical Hologram from Roddenberry’s “Star Trek: Voyager” are not going to become reality in 2017. However, artificial intelligence is now in a position to transform psychiatric hospitals for the better in the year ahead.
2016
World in 2017
The Economist
Planets, planets everywhere
One possibly habitable planet is already known to exist near Earth. Many more will soon be found
2016
World in 2017
The Economist