Scientific American: 10 Emerging Technologies to Watch - Innovations that are on the verge of making a difference to society

 Scientific American

Engineering  

10 Emerging Technologies to Watch
Innovations that are on the verge of making a difference to society

What if drinking water could be drawn from desert air easily, without requiring enormous amounts of electricity from a grid? What if a doctor could do a biopsy for a suspected cancer without a blade of any sort? What if we didn’t have to wait too long to find out? Technologies that make these visions a reality are expected to become increasingly commonplace in the next few years. This special report, compiled and produced in a collaboration between Scientific American and the World Economic Forum’s Expert Network, highlights 10 such emerging technologies.air easily, without requiring enormous amounts of electricity from a grid? What if a doctor could do a biopsy for a suspected cancer without a blade of any sort? What if we didn’t have to wait too long to find out? Technologies that make these visions a reality are expected to become increasingly commonplace in the next few years. This special report, compiled and produced in a collaboration between Scientific American and the World Economic Forum’s Expert Network, highlights 10 such emerging technologies.
To choose the entrants in this year’s emerging technologies report, we convened a steering group of world-renowned technology experts. The committee made recommendations and elicited suggestions from members of the Expert Network, the forum’s Global Future Councils, Scientific American’s board of advisers and others who are tuned in to burgeoning research and development in academia, business and government. Then the group whittled down the choices by focusing on technologies that were not yet widespread but were attracting increased funding or showing other signs of being ready to move to the next level. The technologies also had to offer significant benefits to societies and economies and to have the power to alter established ways of doing things. We hope you enjoy the result, and, as always, we welcome your feedback. Read the full report on the Top 10 Emerging Technologies of 2017 here.

Mariette DiChristina, editor in chief, Scientific American, and chair, Emerging Technologies Steering Group

Bernard Meyerson, chief innovation officer, IBM, and vice chair, Emerging Technologies Steering Group

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 10 disruptive solutions are now poised to change the world?

    June 26, 2017|Credit:

    World Economic Forum

10 Emerging Technologies to Watch
Engineering


Innovations that are on the verge of making a difference to society

    June 26, 2017

Blood Tests Allow for Scalpel-Free Biopsies
Biotech


Ultrasensitive blood tests known as liquid biopsies promise to improve cancer diagnosis and care

    June 26, 2017 — Apurv Mishra

Off-Grid Devices Draw Drinking Water from Dry Air
Public Health


Sunlight-powered moisture-absorbing technologies are becoming economical

    June 26, 2017 — Donna J. Nelson and Jeffrey Carbeck

Deep-Learning Networks Rival Human Vision
Computing
Deep-Learning Networks Rival Human Vision

June 26, 2017 — Apurv Mishra

Artificial Leaf Turns Carbon Dioxide Into Liquid Fuel
Energy
Artificial Leaf Turns Carbon Dioxide Into Liquid Fuel

June 26, 2017 — Javier Garcia Martinez
Human Cell Atlas Opens a New Window to Health and Disease
Medical & Biotech
Human Cell Atlas Opens a New Window to Health and Disease

June 26, 2017 — Sang Yup Lee
Precision Farming Increases Crop Yields
Engineering
Precision Farming Increases Crop Yields

June 26, 2017 — Geoffrey Ling and Blake Bextine
Affordable Catalysts Give Green Vehicles a Push
Automotive
Affordable Catalysts Give Green Vehicles a Push

June 26, 2017 — Donna J. Nelson
Genomic Vaccines Fight Disease in Ways Not Possible Before
Medical & Biotech
Genomic Vaccines Fight Disease in Ways Not Possible Before

June 26, 2017 — Geoffrey Ling
Sustainable Design of Communities Dramatically Reduces Waste
Energy
Sustainable Design of Communities Dramatically Reduces Waste

June 26, 2017 — Daniel M. Kammen
Quantum Computing Becomes More Accessible
Computing
Quantum Computing Becomes More Accessible
June 26, 2017 — Dario Gil

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