Just a starter post for this thread...
If they combine this new technology with BioMarker's we may be in alot of trouble
http://www.rdmag.com/ShowPR.aspx?PUBCODE=014&ACCT=1400000100&ISSUE=0806&RELTYPE=PR&ORIGRELTYPE=CVS&PRODCODE=00000000&PRODLETT=HJ&CommonCount=0Into the Looking Glass: Battelle Experts Forecast Future TechnologiesBattelle scientists periodically prognosticate about future developments in science and technology. A sampling of predictions was prepared for the 50th Anniversary issue of R&D.
Energy
Increased use of renewable and sustainable fuels for electric power generation: Population growth and economic expansion will boost demand for electricity, which is frequently generated by non-clean fuels. Thus, expect a dramatic spike in renewable and sustainable sources: wind power, solar power, fuel cells, biofuel, and clean coal.
Personalized energy: Miniaturized fuel cells will eclipse batteries as the power source for phones, computers, and electronics. Energy efficiency and storage will improve greatly. Fuel cells will also help power heating and cooling systems as well as other appliances.Gas to liquid conversion: Battelle scientists anticipate chemical engineering processes to transform hydrocarbon compounds from gases to liquids. This will permit more flexible use and storage of fuels—for example, the conversion of natural gas to diesel fuel for transportation.
Methane hydrate crystal mining: Rich deposits of frozen natural gas crystals on the ocean floor, if tapped, could supply substantial energy. In 10 years, this source will augment natural gas production.
Health & Life Sciences
Universal inoculation: Perpetual health risks from bacteria and viruses are multiplied by their potential as tools for terrorism. Universal inoculation, singly or in modest numbers, can shield many people from multiple pathogens. Battelle scientists are studying disease genetics to help us guard against dozens of bacteria and viruses.Real-time environmental sensors: Imagine sensors able to detect E. coli and other dangerous pathogens in public places, monitor workplace air quality, analyze the air in hospitals, or determine the cleanliness of municipal water supplies. Battelle scientists are developing sensors that will help short-circuit food- and air-borne illnesses, prevent infections and sicknesses, and help guard against biological terrorism.
Genetic-based medical and health care: An almost unimaginable expansion of medical technology originating from genetic research will allow us to detect and correct many genetic-based diseases before they arise—possibly even in the womb.Super senses: Using sensors and electronic or genetic implants, physicians may soon be able to extend our normal hearing range and expand our visual acuity, especially in the dark.
National Security
Advanced multi-functional materials: Strides in materials science and engineering will greatly improve the safety and effectiveness of soldiers in battle. Color-changing fibers will better camouflage and protect our soldiers, and advanced textiles will monitor their health. New lightweight composites will strengthen armor, and remotely-gathered physiological data will relay the precise physical status of soldiers.
Non-lethal weapons: Innovative weaponry is being developed that will improve accuracy to minimize physical harm to unintended targets and temporarily incapacitate rather than wound or kill. These include non-penetrating bullets, shocks, and radio frequency waves. Another non-lethal weapon under development is VMADS, or vehicle mounted active denial system, which uses concentrated and precisely-directed energy to interrupt a signal between a terrorist and a detonating device—all from a remote location.
Non-invasive and non-destructive imaging: Battelle scientists expect a new generation of x-rays to help determine the contents of shipping containers, crates, trucks, luggage, handbags, and sealed packages. Such non-invasive imaging will speed security checks at airports, harbors, train and subway stations, and border crossings.
Biological and chemical sensors: Future sensors may
emulate Mother Nature using biomimetics. In other words, concealed weapons or bombs may be detected using technology akin to a beagle’s hyper-sensitive sniff or a viper’s heat-seeking sensitivity.
The urgent need to rapidly and accurately intercept bacterial and viral pathogens will drive the goal of combining chemical and biological threat detection into a suite of sensors.
Science
Molecular design: Battelle scientists believe molecular design of catalysts could facilitate chemical reactions and processing with little or no waste. Sensors operating at the molecular level will monitor materials and chemical manufacturing with ever tighter tolerances.
Smart materials: Materials used for construction will be able to detect excessive stress and signal an advanced warning. For example, the beams and braces in bridges or buildings could change color before conditions deteriorate and jeopardize safety.
Agrogenetics: Genetic engineering and plant manipulation can create crops with greater resistance to pests, requiring less pesticide. Other crops can be engineered to maximize the use of their nutrients, thereby requiring less fertilizer or water and, at the same time, producing higher yields and superior taste.
Safe water worldwide: With clean drinking water an increasingly scarce commodity, advanced filtering, processing, and delivery of potable water can avert critical shortages. Desalinating water, extracting it from the air, and treating graywater (from baths, dishwashers, etc.) at the points of use rather than at municipal facilities are also potential solutions. http://www.pnl.gov/techrealization/media/mitch_horowitz_presentation.pdfBattelle Pancake Breakfast
May 13, 2009 ... Nano-materials, coatings & composites. • Materials testing. • Polymers. • Specialty steels and ...
MEMs. • Systems-on-a-Chip. • Fuel Cells. • Tissue engineering. • Surgical systems ... satellite offices.
MEMS at DARPA -
http://www.me.berkeley.edu/ME219/Lectures/L43ME219.pdf...
MEMS – A Core Technology
Micro-Electro-Mechanical Systems (MEMS) is a core technology that:
– Leverages IC fabrication technology
– Builds ultra-miniaturized components
–
Enables radical new system applicationshttp://www.senseme.com/scripts/products/explosives.htmThe fundamental advantages of this new hand-held explosive detection technology are very low cost, extremely high sensitivity and real-time operation. A proof-of-principle prototype is currently operating at Oak Ridge National Laboratory. Several US Government Agencies have invested approximately ten million dollars in the development of MEMS based sensor technology.
http://www.azonano.com/news.asp?newsID=8496http://www.smalltimes.com/display_article/354167/109/ARTCL/none/ColDe/Report:_Cell_phones_drive_market_for_MEMS_switches/Report: Cell phones drive market for MEMS switches
MEMS switches and varicap products are finding their way into commercial products despite the economic downturn, thanks to increased interest from cell phone companies, according to a report from the research group Yole Développement.
