Nuclear power? Windmills? Solar power?
The merits of these technologies and others are currently being debated in our thread on China and Unocal. But what about new technologies, some that may not yet exist?
It is no exaggeration to predict that there will be more change in the next 30 years than we saw in all of the last 100. - Philip J. Bond, Under Secretary of Commerce for Technology, U.S. Department of Commerce ( March 18, 2004)
Can you picture what the world was like in 1905, a century ago? Now, project the amount of change that has occurred since then, but compress it into just three decades. And remember this: most of the technologies that so radically changed the world in the 20th century were not even invented in 1905! (TV, jet travel, nuclear energy, telecom satellites, computers, the Internet, almost all plastics, etc.)
This implies that most of the technologies that will radically change our world in the next 30 years have not been invented yet!
It is not hype to recognize and discuss the rapid acceleration of invention, innovation, and diffusion of new technologies within the last few decades, and to apply that rising curve to future technologies.
CRN's research suggests that molecular manufacturing will have a revolutionary, transformative, and probably disruptive affect on all areas of society. Then there are other up-and-coming technologies like genetic engineering, robotics, artificial intelligence, and biotechnology.
Besides these, will additional new technologies be invented, refined, and widely implemented between now and 2035? If history is any guide, that's a pretty safe bet.
Mike Treder
The corallary to rapid change is that new technologies should be retarded to some extent. Something better is likely to come along and the capital put into early technology would be to some extent wasted.
Practically this means subsudise R&D thru pilot production. Do not subsidize markets.
Posted by: M. Simon | June 28, 2005 at 08:26 AM
We've deleted a post that was long, factually incorrect, and off-topic. Please don't post about materials science in posts that have nothing to do with materials science, and don't post about UFO's at all.
Chris
Posted by: Chris Phoenix, CRN | July 03, 2005 at 01:24 PM
i get none of wat dis is
e-mail me k
Posted by: shibly | October 05, 2005 at 08:26 PM
David Skul: The entry you made today at 3:04 PM has been deleted, because it was nothing other than commercial advertising. You are banned from posting further comments on this site.
Posted by: Mike Treder, CRN | December 14, 2005 at 12:47 PM
I saw that you have a page that discusses patent-related resources at http://crnano.typepad.com/crnblog/2005/06/new_inventions.html. I wanted to suggest adding www.freepatentsonline.com to the page. This web site has free PDF downloading (instead of having to page through TIFFs like at the US PTO). It is by far the best free patent searching site.
Posted by: James | March 01, 2006 at 06:03 AM
Thanks, James, but we don't provide links to commercial ventures in our posts. You just got a freebie in your comment; but if you abuse the opportunity, we'll prohibit you from posting.
Posted by: Mike Treder, CRN | March 01, 2006 at 06:47 AM
i have an idea for wind mills that would increase power and be very simple , what can i do to make a few buck telling someine
Posted by: gibson | September 09, 2006 at 10:20 AM
Can anyone help me in the field of nanotechnology? We are a team of middle schoolers in a lego robotics competition that need some ideas for using nanotechnology -- but they have to be rather UNIQUE -- something that isn't just talked about by Time Magazine and everyone else... our project has to be about nanotechnology that will help the world & mankind but is UNIQUE... --Got any good ideas?? Help!!!
Posted by: Lisa L Walker | October 04, 2006 at 11:50 AM
How about a nanoscrubber that desalinizes and purifies sea water?
Posted by: Neil Custer | October 04, 2006 at 02:08 PM
Maybe try to think of things that would be relevant to your life as students.
Blackboards/whiteboards could become computer display surfaces. Teachers can still "write" on them but they won't be rubbing material onto the board, they will drag a marker across and the surface will change color. Images, movies, prepared lesson plans can appear where the teacher wants.
Or, desks could change shape to adjust to different student sizes - middle schoolers especially have a wide variation as kids go through growth spurts at different ages.
How about clothes and fashions? They're already working on threads that can glow. Nanotech could give us clothes that can change color, texture, stretchiness, even shape and size. You could select a menu on your computer and be wearing a whole new outfit in a few seconds.
One really likely nanotech result is new materials that will be stronger, lighter and cheaper. Here's an idea - how about a clear, outdoor roof or dome that covers your athletic field so you can still have P.E. and sports when it rains? Maybe there could even be air conditioning so it would never be too hot or cold for outdoor activities.
I'm sure there are a lot of other possibilities like this. Think about your daily life and how new kinds of materials and technologies could make things better, easier and more fun. Good luck -
Posted by: Hal | October 04, 2006 at 05:22 PM
i am 4th sem. metallurgy student and am suppose to present few papers at reputed colleges tht too on nanotechnology can u give guideline
Posted by: satyanand | December 19, 2006 at 09:28 PM
also give me some idea of possibilities in robbotics
Posted by: satyanand | December 19, 2006 at 09:31 PM
hello, i m an F.Y student of Mechnical Engg.
how is Nanotechnology related with it??????
wat it is imp.????????
how is it beneficial to the people world over????????
plz reply me.
bye
Posted by: Nihar | August 06, 2007 at 09:30 AM