Trends Identified

Superconductivity power transmission technology
The superconductivity power transmission technology is suitable for the green energy strategy that can solve the power supply issue of the major metropolitan cites. Using superconducting cables with high temperature superconductive conductor, it is possible to distribute electric power with large capacity and high efficiency while being eco-friendly.This technology is expected to play a pivotal role in the 21st century power grid, and will be developed as the revolutionary technology that can solve the world’s energy problem, by establishing the global power network that distributes electric power among countries and continents.
2012
KISTEP 10 Emerging Technologies 2012
South Korea, Korea Institute of S&T Evaluation and Planning (KISTEP)
Digital holography technology
Holography is the technology that records or reproduces the distribution of light, which is reflected or diffracted by the actual image. This technology completely reproduces the actual image to give a three-dimensional effect to viewers. Digital holography is implemented by using the electronic devices and optoelectronic devices, and the holographic data is processed by the optical information processing technique. Digital holography is the core base technology that can be applied and used in various industries, such as culture, arts, display, measurement industry, healthcare, and academia.
2012
KISTEP 10 Emerging Technologies 2012
South Korea, Korea Institute of S&T Evaluation and Planning (KISTEP)
Bioplastic
Bioplastic is a new material that has all the functionalities of synthetic resins but can be naturally degraded by burial or long-term sun exposure. However, the production cost is still high and the material is not diverse enough to be widely used as synthetic resins. It is expected that the development of the bioplastic technology can make great economic contribution as well as solving environmental issues. Also, this technology would be helpful in moving to the bioeconomy by causing social environmental changes.
2012
KISTEP 10 Emerging Technologies 2012
South Korea, Korea Institute of S&T Evaluation and Planning (KISTEP)
4G+ mobile communication technology
The next-generation mobile communication technology provides more transmission capacity than 4G mobile communication technology (more than tens of times), efficiently provides various future services including high quality mobile multimedia service, M2M (machine to machine), and direct communication service between terminals, and flexibly accommodates traffic variation of time and place. This technology can contribute to national welfare by linking the various industries such as mobile-based healthcare, education, smart-work, and public safety.
2012
KISTEP 10 Emerging Technologies 2012
South Korea, Korea Institute of S&T Evaluation and Planning (KISTEP)
Eco-friendly natural pesticide
Sustainable crop production became almost next to impossible due to pollution and health problems caused by chemical pesticide. Natural pesticide that has similar efficiency as chemical pesticide needs to be developed for each blight and insect type, by extracting or refining natural materials of which crop disease and vermin control effect was proven (plant extracts and other natural substance), and by combining those several types technically. As natural pesticide is biodegraded in nature, there is no side-effect on human beings, animals, and environment. Consumers can take in safe agricultural products that have no residual chemical substance and as a result, it will greatly contribute to the improvement of human health.
2012
KISTEP 10 Emerging Technologies 2012
South Korea, Korea Institute of S&T Evaluation and Planning (KISTEP)
The next billion consumers
The rising wealth of emerging economies will continue to bring a broader range of consumption goods to huge numbers of new consumers. More of them will cross the critical annual household income threshold of $5,000, planting them in the ranks of the “global middle class” and enabling more discretionary spending. Although still considerably poorer than the middle-class consumers in the advanced economies, their vast numbers and increasing ability to devote more income to a broader range of goods and services will create an enormous new market. Estimated contribution to global GDP by 2020: $10 trillion.
2011
The great eight: Trillion-dollar growth trends to 2020
Bain and Company
Old infrastructure, new investments
In the advanced economies, renewed economic vitality will require refurbishing and expanding critical infrastructure, much of which was built more than a half-century ago. But with public finances under strain, the job will increasingly present opportunities for public-private partnerships. In emerging economies, continued infrastructure development will be needed to accommodate growth and lay a foundation for future expansion. Estimated contribution to global GDP by 2020: $1 trillion.
2011
The great eight: Trillion-dollar growth trends to 2020
Bain and Company
Militarization following industrialization
As economic power tilts toward Asia, political and military power will shift as well. In China, where defense spending has trended upward in recent years, both in dollar terms and as a proportion of GDP. The stepped up spending is prompting China’s neighbors to respond with bigger defense budgets, increasing the risk of conflict over shipping lanes in the Indian Ocean and the South China Sea.
2011
The great eight: Trillion-dollar growth trends to 2020
Bain and Company
Growing output of primary inputs
Growing demand among more nations for oil and natural gas, grains and proteins, fresh water and extracted ores, such as copper, aluminum and rare earth metals, will create price volatility and transient shortages of a few of these commodities over the coming decade. Investment in conservation measures, alternative supplies and technologies will increase in some areas, though new fossil fuel sources will reduce economic incentives to invest in alternative energy. Estimated contribution to global GDP by 2020: $3 trillion.
2011
The great eight: Trillion-dollar growth trends to 2020
Bain and Company
Developing human capital
The massive population shift from farm to factory has altered the social landscape in the fast-growing emerging economies, but social infrastructure has not kept pace. Broadening access to education and improving its quality over the coming decade will be crucial if those economies will successfully navigate the transition to a higher value-added service and technology-based economy. Likewise, building a basic healthcare delivery system and weaving a stronger social safety net will absorb a far higher proportion of investment than in the past. Estimated contribution to global GDP by 2020: $2 trillion.
2011
The great eight: Trillion-dollar growth trends to 2020
Bain and Company