TechVision 2020

Top 50 Technologies that will

Shape the World in 2020

Mar 15th, 2012

W.F. W.F. KeeKee, Industry Manager, Industry Manager

Technical Insights Group, Frost & SullivanTechnical Insights Group, Frost & Sullivan

11 Introduction to Technical Insights

22 TechVision 2020

Content

2

33 Snapshot of Top 50 Technologies

Introduction to Technical Insights

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Technical Insights – A Sneak Preview

• Provides intelligence on

technology developments poised

for the fastest growth

• Spots companies that may

become technology giants

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• Follows technology trends as they

shape future markets

• Identifies emerging trends before

they become obvious

Disruptive technology

Time (years)

Market demand

Disruption Point

Current technology

Sensors & Control

Sensors & Control

Materials &Coatings

Materials &Coatings

Clean &Green

Environment

Clean &Green

Environment

InformationInformation

Verticals CoveredVerticals Covered

Automation & Electronics

Automotive & Transportation

Aerospace & Defense

Information & Communication

Technology

Healthcare

I

IV

II

V

III

VI

The ‘Nine’ Clusters span horizontally across the ‘Eight’ Industry Verticals with a Global Focus

Technical Insights’ Nine Technology Clusters

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Health& Wellness

Health& Wellness

Medical Devices&

Imaging Tech

Medical Devices&

Imaging Tech

AdvancedManufacturing & Automation

AdvancedManufacturing & Automation

Information&

Communication Tech

Information&

Communication Tech

MicroelectronicsMicroelectronics Sustainable Energy

Sustainable Energy

Healthcare

Chemicals, Materials & Foods

Environmental and Building

Technology

Energy and Power Supply

VII VIII IX

Technology Tracking

Alerts

ConsultingTechnologyResearch

Technical

Insights’

Competence

Testimonial: “I have commissioned a number of engagements in the past, but have never been so satisfied with the outcome with an external consulting firm“ – Sr. Executive at Fortune 50 company

TechVision 2020

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Technical Insights’ TechVision 2020

SENSORS & AUTOMATION

MATERIALS & COATINGS

CONVENTIONAL ENERGYMEDICAL DEVICES

& IMAGING

ADVANCED

MANUFACTURING

CBRN Detection

Technologies

Energy Harvesting Smart Sensors

Wireless Sensor

Networks

Superhydrophobic Coatings

Compostable Packaging

Breathable Antibacterial

Coatings

Nanocatalysts

Smart Textiles

Algae-based

Ingredients

Lightweight Composites

Enzyme Technology

Advanced Filtration

Clean CoalEnhanced Oil

RecoveryAdvanced

Hydrocracking

Combination DevicesMedical Robotics

Smart Pills

Hybrid Imaging

Technologies

Optical Imaging

Technologies

Digital Manufacturing

Advanced

Lasers for Manufacturing

Intelligent Robots

Micro and Nano

manufacturing

Top 50

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CLEAN & GREEN

TECHNOLOGY

INFORMATION &

COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY

MICROELECTRONICS

LIFESCIENCES &

BIOTECHNOLOGY

& IMAGING

TECHNOLOGY

Green Vehicles

Smart Grid

Thin Film Photovoltaic

2nd Generation

Biofuels

Advanced Energy

Storage

Green Buildings

Renewable Chemicals

Virtualization Semantic Web

Long –Term

Evolution

Cloud

ComputingFabric Computing

Flexible Electronics

Next Generation

Displays

Haptics & Touch

Technologies

3D Integration

LED Lighting Technologies

Wireless Power

Transmission

Emerging Data Storage

Technologies

Adult Stem Cells

Genome Sequencing

3D Cell Culture

Systems

Biosensing

Nanofluidics &

BioNEMS

Smart Pills

Digital Pathology

Top 50

Technologies Web

Top 50 Top 50 22

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Recent IP ActivityRefers to the Intensity of IP activity in recent years

Recent IP ActivityRefers to the Intensity of IP activity in recent years

Year of Impact (YOI)Refers to the year when the technology will make a significant impact

Year of Impact (YOI)Refers to the year when the technology will make a significant impact

• YOI in 2011 or 2012• Technology’s ready maturity

and potential for widescaleadoption

• Intense activity in patent filings and applicationsEmerging

Selection Criteria Technology’s Features

Research Methodology

8

Top 50

Technologies

Selected

Top 50

Technologies

Selected

33

44

IP activity in recent yearsIP activity in recent years

FundingRefers to public or private sector funding to develop the technology

FundingRefers to public or private sector funding to develop the technology

Global FootprintRefers to the development of the technology at a global scale

Global FootprintRefers to the development of the technology at a global scale

filings and applications

• Technology is receiving significant public and private funding

• Development or deployment of the technology is occurring at a global scale

Emerging TechnologiesAcross allNineTechnologyClusters

Snapshot of Top 50 Technologies

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Advanced Energy Storage

• Advanced energy storage refers to a material that has the ability to holdenergy for later retrieval. Advances in energy storage is necessary to drivethe deployment of smart grid and electric vehicles

• Utility-scale energy storage is currently limited to pumped hydro,compressed air energy storage (CAES), and sodium sulfur (NaS) batteries;with emerging technologies being lithium-ion (Li-ion) batteries andregenerative fuel cells (flow batteries).

• Advanced energy storage refers to a material that has the ability to holdenergy for later retrieval. Advances in energy storage is necessary to drivethe deployment of smart grid and electric vehicles

• Utility-scale energy storage is currently limited to pumped hydro,compressed air energy storage (CAES), and sodium sulfur (NaS) batteries;with emerging technologies being lithium-ion (Li-ion) batteries andregenerative fuel cells (flow batteries).

Top 50 TechnologiesAdvanced Energy Storage, Green Vehicles & Smart Grids

Green Vehicles• Green vehicles include hybrid vehicles, plug-in hybrid electric vehicles

(PHEV), electric vehicles (EVs, which can either be powered by batteries orfuel cells).

• Green vehicles include hybrid vehicles, plug-in hybrid electric vehicles(PHEV), electric vehicles (EVs, which can either be powered by batteries orfuel cells).

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fuel cells).

• The key indicator for measuring how “green” a vehicle is, is its “well-to-wheel”performance, which measures the overall impact on the environment fromthe time the fuel is extracted to the point it is used in the vehicle.

fuel cells).

• The key indicator for measuring how “green” a vehicle is, is its “well-to-wheel”performance, which measures the overall impact on the environment fromthe time the fuel is extracted to the point it is used in the vehicle.

Smart Grids• Smart grids uses digital and other advanced technologies to monitor and

manage the transport of electricity.

• There are several elements that contribute toward the existence of a smartgrid, these include; wide area monitoring and control, ICT integratedsystems, advanced metering infrastructure (AMI), demand responsedevices, energy storage devices, electric vehicle charging infrastructure, aswell as advanced transmission and distribution systems.

• Smart grids uses digital and other advanced technologies to monitor andmanage the transport of electricity.

• There are several elements that contribute toward the existence of a smartgrid, these include; wide area monitoring and control, ICT integratedsystems, advanced metering infrastructure (AMI), demand responsedevices, energy storage devices, electric vehicle charging infrastructure, aswell as advanced transmission and distribution systems.

Thin Film PV• Thin film PV is generally categorized as 2nd generation solar PV technology.

• Thin film PV has 2 main families; 1) cadmium-telluride (CdTe), and 2)copper-indium-diselenide (CIS) or copper-indium-gallium-diselenide (CIGS).

• Main advantages are their lower consumption of raw materials, highproduction efficiency, and ease of building integration.

• Thin film PV currently account for 10% to 15% of global module sales.

• Current conversion efficiencies average between 6% to 12%, in comparisonto crystalline silicon, which is between 14% to 20%.

• First Solar, an Arizona-based company, is the undisputed leader of the solarmarket, being the first module maker to lower its production cost to below the

• Thin film PV is generally categorized as 2nd generation solar PV technology.

• Thin film PV has 2 main families; 1) cadmium-telluride (CdTe), and 2)copper-indium-diselenide (CIS) or copper-indium-gallium-diselenide (CIGS).

• Main advantages are their lower consumption of raw materials, highproduction efficiency, and ease of building integration.

• Thin film PV currently account for 10% to 15% of global module sales.

• Current conversion efficiencies average between 6% to 12%, in comparisonto crystalline silicon, which is between 14% to 20%.

• First Solar, an Arizona-based company, is the undisputed leader of the solarmarket, being the first module maker to lower its production cost to below the

Top 50 TechnologiesThin Film PV, Energy Efficient Buildings

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market, being the first module maker to lower its production cost to below the$1 per watt threshold.market, being the first module maker to lower its production cost to below the$1 per watt threshold.

Energy Efficient Buildings

• Energy use in buildings consumes 30% to 40% of total energy and is one ofthe top sources of CO2 emissions.

• In general, energy efficiency in the buildings sector involves advanceddesign, building equipment and operation systems, efficient appliances andlighting as well as heating, cooling and ventilation technologies. Most ofthese technologies are already available.

• Active public policy has successfully created a market for energy efficientproducts, such as compact fluorescent light bulbs (CFLs) and LED lighting.In addition, technologies that provide energy savings using advancedautomation and control systems is also gaining tremendous interest.

• Energy use in buildings consumes 30% to 40% of total energy and is one ofthe top sources of CO2 emissions.

• In general, energy efficiency in the buildings sector involves advanceddesign, building equipment and operation systems, efficient appliances andlighting as well as heating, cooling and ventilation technologies. Most ofthese technologies are already available.

• Active public policy has successfully created a market for energy efficientproducts, such as compact fluorescent light bulbs (CFLs) and LED lighting.In addition, technologies that provide energy savings using advancedautomation and control systems is also gaining tremendous interest.

2nd Generation Biofuels

• 2nd generation biofuels refers to biofuels that are produced from biomass.

• Examples of 2nd generation biofuels are cellulosic ethanol, biomass-to-liquid(BtL) fuels, and Fischer-Tropsch synthetic diesel.

• The two major routes to produce 2nd generation biofuels are biochemical(uses enzymatic hydrolysis) and thermochemical (gasification is used toproduce syngas that is later converted to synthetic fuels).

• As of 2011, large-scale production of 2nd generation biofuels does not exist.

• Gruppo Mossi & Ghisolfi (Italy) announced in April 2011 that it will beginbuilding a cellulosic ethanol plant in northwestern Italy. The 40,000 tpa plantis scheduled to be completed by 2012 and will cost €110 million.

• 2nd generation biofuels refers to biofuels that are produced from biomass.

• Examples of 2nd generation biofuels are cellulosic ethanol, biomass-to-liquid(BtL) fuels, and Fischer-Tropsch synthetic diesel.

• The two major routes to produce 2nd generation biofuels are biochemical(uses enzymatic hydrolysis) and thermochemical (gasification is used toproduce syngas that is later converted to synthetic fuels).

• As of 2011, large-scale production of 2nd generation biofuels does not exist.

• Gruppo Mossi & Ghisolfi (Italy) announced in April 2011 that it will beginbuilding a cellulosic ethanol plant in northwestern Italy. The 40,000 tpa plantis scheduled to be completed by 2012 and will cost €110 million.

Top 50 Technologies2nd Generation Biofuels, Renewable Chemicals

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• Abengoa Bioenergy (Spain) has announced that it intends to beginconstruction of its cellulosic ethanol plant in Hugoton, Kansas in the summerof 2011. The 37,000 tpa plant will begin commercial operations in early 2013.

• Abengoa Bioenergy (Spain) has announced that it intends to beginconstruction of its cellulosic ethanol plant in Hugoton, Kansas in the summerof 2011. The 37,000 tpa plant will begin commercial operations in early 2013.

Renewable Chemicals

• Renewable chemicals refers to the development of sustainable chemicals,which can be used to replace traditional petrochemicals.

• The main feedstock for renewable chemicals are sugar, starch andvegetable oil, with the simplest production method being fermentation.

• Renewable chemicals have been available for several years, with theintroduction of polylactic acid (PLA) and polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHA).

• Other renewable chemicals expected to be commercialized soon aresuccinic acid, butanol, acrylic acid, butanediols, propanediols, adipic acid,glucaric acid and propylene glycol.

• Renewable chemicals refers to the development of sustainable chemicals,which can be used to replace traditional petrochemicals.

• The main feedstock for renewable chemicals are sugar, starch andvegetable oil, with the simplest production method being fermentation.

• Renewable chemicals have been available for several years, with theintroduction of polylactic acid (PLA) and polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHA).

• Other renewable chemicals expected to be commercialized soon aresuccinic acid, butanol, acrylic acid, butanediols, propanediols, adipic acid,glucaric acid and propylene glycol.

Top 50 TechnologiesAlgae-Based Technologies, Fermentation / Enzyme Technology

Algae-Based Technologies

• Algae presents a unique way for sequestering large amounts of CO2.

• The industry is driven largely by innovations for producing biofuels(bioethanol, biobutanol, etc.), while chemicals is just being explored.

• Potential end products from algae are animal feed, bioactive ingredients forcosmetics and pharmaceuticals, nutritional supplements and functional foods(spirulina and omega fatty acids), biofuels (mainly biodiesel), as well as fineand specialty biochemicals.

• Although many players have entered into this market backed by significantfunding and investments, large-scale commercialization is not yetwidespread as companies continue to grapple with issues such as high initial

• Algae presents a unique way for sequestering large amounts of CO2.

• The industry is driven largely by innovations for producing biofuels(bioethanol, biobutanol, etc.), while chemicals is just being explored.

• Potential end products from algae are animal feed, bioactive ingredients forcosmetics and pharmaceuticals, nutritional supplements and functional foods(spirulina and omega fatty acids), biofuels (mainly biodiesel), as well as fineand specialty biochemicals.

• Although many players have entered into this market backed by significantfunding and investments, large-scale commercialization is not yetwidespread as companies continue to grapple with issues such as high initial

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Fermentation / Enzyme

Technology

• Technology-wise, the field is highly developed and advanced enzymes arealready being used in a variety of sectors including food, detergents, textileand paper and pulp sectors.

• Recent trends in enzyme technology witnesses a higher utilization ofenzymes in the production of biochemicals, biomaterials, biopharmaceuticals,therapeutics, biofuels, bioenergy and other industrially important compounds.

• The year of impact of enzyme technologies in developing fields such asbiopharmaceuticals, bioprocessing and biofuels is 2014.

• Technology-wise, the field is highly developed and advanced enzymes arealready being used in a variety of sectors including food, detergents, textileand paper and pulp sectors.

• Recent trends in enzyme technology witnesses a higher utilization ofenzymes in the production of biochemicals, biomaterials, biopharmaceuticals,therapeutics, biofuels, bioenergy and other industrially important compounds.

• The year of impact of enzyme technologies in developing fields such asbiopharmaceuticals, bioprocessing and biofuels is 2014.

widespread as companies continue to grapple with issues such as high initialcosts, low efficiency of conversion and overall economics of the end-product.

• Many algae companies are currently collaborating with power plants asalgae is able to capture CO2 and convert it to high-value end products.

widespread as companies continue to grapple with issues such as high initialcosts, low efficiency of conversion and overall economics of the end-product.

• Many algae companies are currently collaborating with power plants asalgae is able to capture CO2 and convert it to high-value end products.

Top 50 TechnologiesSmart Textiles, Lightweight Composites

Smart Textiles• Smart textiles is defined as a textile which is capable of superior

performance through superiorly engineered materials.• For example, the previous Olympics witnessed several new world records in

swimming due to technologically aided swimsuits.• Apart from being applicable in sports, smart textiles are used in healthcare

(to measure heart rate and blood pressure), and as protective apparel inextreme environmental conditions (firefighting and in radioactiveenvironments). In these cases, miniature sensors are often woven into thefabric to detect various parameters.

• Smart textiles can also be integrated with electronics to create wearableelectronic devices.

• Smart textiles is defined as a textile which is capable of superiorperformance through superiorly engineered materials.

• For example, the previous Olympics witnessed several new world records inswimming due to technologically aided swimsuits.

• Apart from being applicable in sports, smart textiles are used in healthcare(to measure heart rate and blood pressure), and as protective apparel inextreme environmental conditions (firefighting and in radioactiveenvironments). In these cases, miniature sensors are often woven into thefabric to detect various parameters.

• Smart textiles can also be integrated with electronics to create wearableelectronic devices.

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Lightweight Composites

• Lightweight Composites—that use two or more materials together to gaincombined effective properties are an emerging area of technology that hassignificant impact on aerospace, automotive, and marine industries.

• The strength to weight ratio of the materials is the ideal solution to meet fuelefficiency demand of the vehicles while providing enough toughness.

• The durability, elasticity, and non-corrosive nature of the composites makethem the perfect choice as structural elements.

• Lightweight Composites—that use two or more materials together to gaincombined effective properties are an emerging area of technology that hassignificant impact on aerospace, automotive, and marine industries.

• The strength to weight ratio of the materials is the ideal solution to meet fuelefficiency demand of the vehicles while providing enough toughness.

• The durability, elasticity, and non-corrosive nature of the composites makethem the perfect choice as structural elements.

electronic devices.electronic devices.

LTE• Long-term evolution (LTE) is a 4th generation (4G) cellular network

technology that promises enhanced data rates and capacity.

• Several large carrier network operators have abandoned WiMAX, acompeting 4G technology, in favour of LTE.

• LTE, owing to its ability to facilitate improved data rates and capacity, is citedas a solution for cellular network capacity crunch.

• The time division duplex (TDD) version of LTE is expected to be widelydeployed as the availability of unpaired spectrum can be leveraged for LTETDD deployments. Major deployments are expected in India in 2011,followed by China and Japan in 2012.

• Long-term evolution (LTE) is a 4th generation (4G) cellular networktechnology that promises enhanced data rates and capacity.

• Several large carrier network operators have abandoned WiMAX, acompeting 4G technology, in favour of LTE.

• LTE, owing to its ability to facilitate improved data rates and capacity, is citedas a solution for cellular network capacity crunch.

• The time division duplex (TDD) version of LTE is expected to be widelydeployed as the availability of unpaired spectrum can be leveraged for LTETDD deployments. Major deployments are expected in India in 2011,followed by China and Japan in 2012.

Top 50 TechnologiesLTE and Cloud Computing

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Cloud Computing

• A revolutionary technology approach wherein IT capabilities are deliveredand consumed via Web services. Applications, platforms, and infrastructuresare all administered in the virtual cloud environment and transmitted tocustomers with virtually no boundaries.

• Offers a tremendous opportunity for economies of scale, specifically in termsof CAPEX, OPEX savings, and operational efficiency.

• Cloud computing could receive widespread adoption in leading countries inNA, Europe, and APAC during the period 2011 to 2012.

• Impelled by the availability of high-speed broadband, this technology couldmassively transform how enterprises manage their technology assets andcomputing requirements.

• A revolutionary technology approach wherein IT capabilities are deliveredand consumed via Web services. Applications, platforms, and infrastructuresare all administered in the virtual cloud environment and transmitted tocustomers with virtually no boundaries.

• Offers a tremendous opportunity for economies of scale, specifically in termsof CAPEX, OPEX savings, and operational efficiency.

• Cloud computing could receive widespread adoption in leading countries inNA, Europe, and APAC during the period 2011 to 2012.

• Impelled by the availability of high-speed broadband, this technology couldmassively transform how enterprises manage their technology assets andcomputing requirements.

Adult Stem Cells• Globally, more than 200 companies are involved in developing adult stem

cell (ASC) products, and the therapies are likely to be disruptive treatments(for instance, knee implants, bone marrow transplant, and heart musclerepair).

• Initially sourced from mature tissue such as bone marrow, scientists havefound ASCs in many more tissues. Currently, there are close to 70 humanclinical applications using ASCs.

• Adult stem cell therapy is moving steadily toward the clinic for multipleapplications and is predicted to be the next multibillion dollar market.

• Globally, more than 200 companies are involved in developing adult stemcell (ASC) products, and the therapies are likely to be disruptive treatments(for instance, knee implants, bone marrow transplant, and heart musclerepair).

• Initially sourced from mature tissue such as bone marrow, scientists havefound ASCs in many more tissues. Currently, there are close to 70 humanclinical applications using ASCs.

• Adult stem cell therapy is moving steadily toward the clinic for multipleapplications and is predicted to be the next multibillion dollar market.

Top 50 TechnologiesAdult Stem Cells and Genome Sequencing

• Following the complete sequencing of the human genome and the• Following the complete sequencing of the human genome and the

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Genome Sequencing

• Following the complete sequencing of the human genome and theavailability of the annotated human genome sequence online, DNA analysishas become a routine procedure.

• Emergence of novel technologies for global genomic analysis (high-throughput sequencing, transcript profiling, Single Nucleotide Polymorphismgenotyping, haplotype mapping, and bioinformatics has revolutionized theinformation available about the human genome.

• Reductions in sequencing costs and improvements in the speed at whichsequences can be generated are ushering the era for personal genomics.

• Entire human genome can now be sequenced for a retail cost of $20,000,and NHGRI (National Human Genome Research Institute) part of the USNational Institute of Health (NIH) has set a target to be able to sequence ahuman-sized genome for US $1000 by 2014.

• Following the complete sequencing of the human genome and theavailability of the annotated human genome sequence online, DNA analysishas become a routine procedure.

• Emergence of novel technologies for global genomic analysis (high-throughput sequencing, transcript profiling, Single Nucleotide Polymorphismgenotyping, haplotype mapping, and bioinformatics has revolutionized theinformation available about the human genome.

• Reductions in sequencing costs and improvements in the speed at whichsequences can be generated are ushering the era for personal genomics.

• Entire human genome can now be sequenced for a retail cost of $20,000,and NHGRI (National Human Genome Research Institute) part of the USNational Institute of Health (NIH) has set a target to be able to sequence ahuman-sized genome for US $1000 by 2014.

3D Cell Culture Systems

• 3D cell culture systems are ex-vivo cellular arrangements that use scaffolds,simulating the extracellular matrix that propel cell proliferation.

• Products from 3D Biotek and Invitrogen are already in the market. Increasingawareness should enhance adoption rates and innovation, which wouldimpact the market by 2013.

• 3D cell culture systems can reduce animal testing, improve efficiency, andreduce cost and time of testing procedures.

• 3D cell culture systems are ex-vivo cellular arrangements that use scaffolds,simulating the extracellular matrix that propel cell proliferation.

• Products from 3D Biotek and Invitrogen are already in the market. Increasingawareness should enhance adoption rates and innovation, which wouldimpact the market by 2013.

• 3D cell culture systems can reduce animal testing, improve efficiency, andreduce cost and time of testing procedures.

Top 50 Technologies3D Cell Culture Systems, Biosensing and Nanofluidics & BioNEMs

Biosensing• Peptide nanotubes (PNTs) are nano- building blocks used to construct

various sensing device geometries.

• Assembling PNT sensors with a simple chip geometry enables the detection

• Peptide nanotubes (PNTs) are nano- building blocks used to constructvarious sensing device geometries.

• Assembling PNT sensors with a simple chip geometry enables the detection

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• Assembling PNT sensors with a simple chip geometry enables the detectionof viruses and other pathogens with an extremely low detection limit.

• The ability to incorporate any antibody without destroying the recognitionfunction allows the development of highly specific targeted therapies.

• This technology is expected to be widely adopted by 2014.

• Assembling PNT sensors with a simple chip geometry enables the detectionof viruses and other pathogens with an extremely low detection limit.

• The ability to incorporate any antibody without destroying the recognitionfunction allows the development of highly specific targeted therapies.

• This technology is expected to be widely adopted by 2014.

Nanofluidics & BioNEMs

• Nanofluidics relates to fluid properties and flows at the nano-scale.

• The technology’s impact is highest in high-throughput analysis for DNAsequencing. In this, BioNEMs-based nanofluidics is used to stretch DNAstrands. Nanofluidics is mainly targeted toward disposable devices, speciallyapplied to point-of-care diagnostics.

• Currently nanofluidics-based devices are being used for sequencing anddetection tasks. The year of significant adoption is likely to be 2014.

• Nanofluidics relates to fluid properties and flows at the nano-scale.

• The technology’s impact is highest in high-throughput analysis for DNAsequencing. In this, BioNEMs-based nanofluidics is used to stretch DNAstrands. Nanofluidics is mainly targeted toward disposable devices, speciallyapplied to point-of-care diagnostics.

• Currently nanofluidics-based devices are being used for sequencing anddetection tasks. The year of significant adoption is likely to be 2014.

Wireless Sensor Networks

• A wireless sensor network (WSN) uses radio frequency links to transmitinformation from distributed sensors along a network. The sensor nodes in aWSN include an RF transceiver, microcontroller, memory, power source, andthe sensor itself.

• A WSN allows more efficient monitoring of a wider range of measurementpoints and much greater flexibility in arranging the sensors around the pointsto be monitored.

• WSN has begun to impact diverse applications, such as environmentalmonitoring, building automation, smart energy management, and agriculture.

• WSNs are likely to have higher impact by 2015.

• A wireless sensor network (WSN) uses radio frequency links to transmitinformation from distributed sensors along a network. The sensor nodes in aWSN include an RF transceiver, microcontroller, memory, power source, andthe sensor itself.

• A WSN allows more efficient monitoring of a wider range of measurementpoints and much greater flexibility in arranging the sensors around the pointsto be monitored.

• WSN has begun to impact diverse applications, such as environmentalmonitoring, building automation, smart energy management, and agriculture.

• WSNs are likely to have higher impact by 2015.

Top 50 TechnologiesWireless Sensor Networks and CBRN Detection

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CBRN Detection• A rising apprehension among government agencies is the threat posed by

natural disasters and terrorists to unexpectedly unleash chemical, biological,radiological, and nuclear (CBRN) agents.

• With funding and R&D activities involved in this sector, detector systems thatguarantee early detection of the trading, transport, manufacture or release ofCBRN materials are being deployed.

• Various sensor and detection technologies that can counteract CBRN threatsare constantly explored. Widespread adoption is already underway.

• Korea, Taiwan, Japan, and Singapore have conducted considerableresearch in this area. Notable advances have been made in China largelydue to research funding made available through the government.

• A rising apprehension among government agencies is the threat posed bynatural disasters and terrorists to unexpectedly unleash chemical, biological,radiological, and nuclear (CBRN) agents.

• With funding and R&D activities involved in this sector, detector systems thatguarantee early detection of the trading, transport, manufacture or release ofCBRN materials are being deployed.

• Various sensor and detection technologies that can counteract CBRN threatsare constantly explored. Widespread adoption is already underway.

• Korea, Taiwan, Japan, and Singapore have conducted considerableresearch in this area. Notable advances have been made in China largelydue to research funding made available through the government.

Energy Harvesting

• Micro energy harvesting (EH) systems generate electrical energy fromvarious sources such as solar, vibration, thermal, and human movement.

• This energy could be utilized for powering low-power electronic devices or inindustrial monitoring applications, thereby enabling battery-free operations.

• Photovoltaic, electrodynamic/ electromagnetic, piezoelectric andthermoelectric technologies are the key EH techniques.

• EH has key opportunities in diverse applications, such as wireless sensornetworks, environmental monitoring, consumer electronics, and health care(for example, health monitoring devices and implantable medical devices).

• Widespread adoption is likely to happen in 2015.

• Micro energy harvesting (EH) systems generate electrical energy fromvarious sources such as solar, vibration, thermal, and human movement.

• This energy could be utilized for powering low-power electronic devices or inindustrial monitoring applications, thereby enabling battery-free operations.

• Photovoltaic, electrodynamic/ electromagnetic, piezoelectric andthermoelectric technologies are the key EH techniques.

• EH has key opportunities in diverse applications, such as wireless sensornetworks, environmental monitoring, consumer electronics, and health care(for example, health monitoring devices and implantable medical devices).

• Widespread adoption is likely to happen in 2015.

Top 50 TechnologiesEnergy Harvesting for Sensors and Smart Sensors

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Smart Sensors• A smart sensor is a sensor that possesses capabilities beyond merely

detecting a certain parameter and sending a raw uncompensated signal. Itincludes electronics that condition the signal before the signal is transmittedto a control network or to its destination.

• Functions include calibration, temperature compensation, and linearitycorrection. Sensors with smart capabilities can streamline the integration ofsensors in an original equipment manufacturer (OEM)'s product or system.

• Smart sensors are expected to be even more widely adopted in 2015.

• Smart sensor networks are expected to find growth opportunities in industrialmonitoring and process control, energy management, building/homeautomation, smart infrastructure, and transportation

• A smart sensor is a sensor that possesses capabilities beyond merelydetecting a certain parameter and sending a raw uncompensated signal. Itincludes electronics that condition the signal before the signal is transmittedto a control network or to its destination.

• Functions include calibration, temperature compensation, and linearitycorrection. Sensors with smart capabilities can streamline the integration ofsensors in an original equipment manufacturer (OEM)'s product or system.

• Smart sensors are expected to be even more widely adopted in 2015.

• Smart sensor networks are expected to find growth opportunities in industrialmonitoring and process control, energy management, building/homeautomation, smart infrastructure, and transportation