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Emerging technologies comprise with cutting-edge developments, and they represent contemporary advances and innovation around the 21st century in various fields of technology. Various converging technologies have emerged in the technological convergence of different systems which evolving towards performing similar tasks. Convergence can refer to previously separate technologies such as voice (and telephony features), data (and productivity applications) and video that now share resources and interact with each other, synergistically creating new efficiencies. Emerging technologies are those technical innovations which represent progressive developments within a field for competitive advantage; converging technologies represent previously distinct fields which are in some way moving towards stronger inter-connection and similar goals. However, the opinion on the degree of impact, status, and economic viability of several emerging and converging technologies vary. List of emerging technologies - Energy technologies
- Biotechnology, Bioinformatics
- Transportation
- Information Technology
- Robotics and applied mechanics
- Material science, etc.
Energy technologies: Emerging Technology
| Status
| Potentially Marginalized Technologies
| Potential Applications | Nuclear fusion power
| Theory & experiments for 50+ years
| Fossil fuels, renewable energy, nuclear fission power
| Electric power generation, space transportation
| Biofuels
| Diffusion
| Fossil fuels
| Energy storage, particularly for transportation
| Hydrogen economy
| Diffusion (of hydrogen fuel cells); Theory & experiments for less expensive production of hydrogen
| Other technologies for storing energy (conventional batteries, fossil fuels)
| Storage of energy
| Nanowire battery
| Working prototypes
| Other technologies for storing energy (hydrogen, conventional batteries and in some cases fossil fuels)
| Laptops, mobile phones and long-range electric cars. Storing power for electric grid
| Ultracapacitor
| Diffusion & continued development
| conventional batteries | Regenerative braking; generally faster-charging, longer lasting, more flexible, and/or greener energy storage | Wireless energy transfer
| Working prototypes/Diffusion and short range consumer products
| Batteries
| Wirelessly powered equipment (laptop, cell phones etc. |
Biotechnology, Bioinformatics:
Emerging Technology
| Status
| Potentially Marginalized Technologies
| Potential Applications
| Genetic engineering
| Commercialization; ongoing research & development
| Animal husbandry, Plant breeding
| Creation and modification of species, bio-machines, elimination of genetic disorders
| Synthetic biology, Synthetic genomics
| Research & development | Chemical industry, Petroleum industry, Process industries | Creation of infinitely scalable production processes based on programmable species of bacteria and other life forms
| Artificial photosynthesis
| Research and experiments
| | Replicate the natural process of photosynthesis, converting sunlight, water, & carbon dioxide into carbohydrates and oxygen
| | Anti-aging drugs: resveratrol, SRT1720 | Animal testing | Existing treatments for age-related diseases | Life extension |
Transportation: Emerging Technology
| Status
| Potentially Marginalized Technologies
| Potential Applications
| Electric cars
| Small scale production, infrastructure investment
| Internal combustion engine
| Greener transportation
| Personal rapid transit
| Working prototypes (and models)
| Conventional rail/bus public transport; would reduce need for everyone to own their own car | Greener transportation
| Personal aircraft
| Commercial production
| Commercial Airlines
| | Precooled jet engines
| Laboratory verified precooler
| subsonic jets
| Very fast, long distance air travel, space travel |
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