Trends Identified
Organic electronics and photovoltaics
Organic electronics – a type of printed electronics – is the use of organic materials such as polymers to create electronic circuits and devices. In contrast to traditional (silicon-based) semiconductors that are fabricated with expensive photolithographic techniques, organic electronics can be printed using low-cost, scalable processes such as ink jet printing, making them extremely cheap compared with traditional electronics devices, both in terms of the cost per device and the capital equipment required to produce them. While organic electronics are currently unlikely to compete with silicon in terms of speed and density, they have the potential to provide a significant edge in cost and versatility. The cost implications of printed mass-produced solar photovoltaic collectors, for example, could accelerate the transition to renewable energy.
2013
The top 10 emerging technologies for 2013
World Economic Forum (WEF)
Fourth-generation reactors and nuclear-waste recycling
Current once-through nuclear power reactors use only 1% of the potential energy available in uranium, leaving the rest radioactively contaminated as nuclear “waste”. While the technical challenge of geological disposal is manageable, the political challenge of nuclear waste seriously limits the appeal of this zero-carbon and highly scalable energy technology. Spent-fuel recycling and breeding uranium-238 into new fissile material – known as Nuclear 2.0 – would extend already-mined uranium resources for centuries while dramatically reducing the volume and long-term toxicity of wastes, whose radioactivity will drop below the level of the original uranium ore on a timescale of centuries rather millennia. This makes geological disposal much less of a challenge (and arguably even unnecessary) and nuclear waste a minor environmental issue compared to hazardous wastes produced by other industries. Fourth-generation technologies, including liquid metal-cooled fast reactors, are now being deployed in several countries and are offered by established nuclear engineering companies.
2013
The top 10 emerging technologies for 2013
World Economic Forum (WEF)
Neural stem cell therapy
The technology that collects adult stem cells from the patient’s body (skin) and cultivate it to neural stem cells, and implant it onto damaged brain. There is currently no treatment for degenerative brain diseases such as Alzheimer’s and Parkinsons disease. We expect this could provide a fundamental treatment method to replace dead brain cells into neural stem cells.
2013
KISTEP 10 Emerging Technologies 2013
South Korea, Korea Institute of S&T Evaluation and Planning (KISTEP)
Assistive robot suit
Once the disabled or the elderly to wear a robot suit which is similar to the body frame, the suit can detect neuronal signal from the muscle and operate. The suit allows the user to move freely and move heavy objects as it gives more strength. With the same principle, the suit enables the elderly or the disabled to expand their work environment at production spots and work.
2013
KISTEP 10 Emerging Technologies 2013
South Korea, Korea Institute of S&T Evaluation and Planning (KISTEP)
Bio-signal interface
The technology uses bio-signal and body movement as an interface (Human – Computer Interaction) for the disabled or the elderly to use computers as well as to create command for drive control of information equipment, cars and wheelchairs. One needs to attach a sensor on his or her body to use this interface which base the system on bio-signal and body movement. As the technology uses natural bio-signal, it can be applied for virtual reality, wearable computers and interface for the elderly and the disabled. In addition, bio-signal technology can be developed into monitoring technology which can be applied in rehabilitation area, medical examination and smart healthcare.
2013
KISTEP 10 Emerging Technologies 2013
South Korea, Korea Institute of S&T Evaluation and Planning (KISTEP)
Self-driving car
The technology is based on ‘automotive navigation system’ such as GPS module, ‘obstacle scanning system’ such as sensors and camera, and it automatically control the vehicle without the driver to reach the destination. The technology draws major attention to the society as it can be applied not only for general purposes, but for securing mobility rights of the elderly or the disabled, military use, cargo transportation and other wide areas.
2013
KISTEP 10 Emerging Technologies 2013
South Korea, Korea Institute of S&T Evaluation and Planning (KISTEP)
Lifecare robot
The term ‘lifecare robot’ refers to a robot which has perception of external environment, self-cognition and self-regulating manipulation. Self-cognition divided into environment perception function and location perception function, and self-regulating manipulation function is divided into operation control function and autonomous mobile function. Due to rapid aging and change in family structure, there has been an increased need for domestic robot which can carry out rehabilitation treatment, nursing, cleaning, domestic tasks and etc.
2013
KISTEP 10 Emerging Technologies 2013
South Korea, Korea Institute of S&T Evaluation and Planning (KISTEP)
Nano bio-sensor
The technology is a bio-element which can detect the presence of specific material, enzyme, antibody, cell, DNA and etc. One can easily check-up his health by testing the blood easily, quickly and at lower price. This technology will be the core element in smart healthcare service as it will continuously miniaturized to be applied on site and be able to go inside the body.
2013
KISTEP 10 Emerging Technologies 2013
South Korea, Korea Institute of S&T Evaluation and Planning (KISTEP)
Natural language processing
The technology can translate not just a word, but a naturally spoken sentences where it can create and understand variety of expressions. The demand for translation of natural conversation is expected to rise exponentially due to declined physical and metacognitive ability from rapid aging. This technology can be combined with AI into a robot which can be useful for the elderly who needs someone to converse with.
2013
KISTEP 10 Emerging Technologies 2013
South Korea, Korea Institute of S&T Evaluation and Planning (KISTEP)
Next generation genome sequencing
The technology can transcript genome at superhigh speed with extreme sensitivity and low price as well as compare it to the standard genome sequence in order to identify mutations. It is expected that medical demand will rise due to rapid aging society, and this technology can provide personalized diagnosis and treatment from reading the patient’s genome.
2013
KISTEP 10 Emerging Technologies 2013
South Korea, Korea Institute of S&T Evaluation and Planning (KISTEP)