世界经济论坛：十大新兴技术报告2021（EN）_24页_1mb

Summary of Top 10 Emerging Technologies of 2021

Core Content

The Top 10 Emerging Technologies of 2021 report highlights innovative solutions to global challenges, particularly in the areas of climate change, health, agriculture, and sustainable infrastructure. These technologies are designed to address pressing issues such as decarbonization, food security, disease diagnosis, and affordable housing, emphasizing the importance of interconnected and scalable solutions.

Main Points

1. Decarbonization Rises

• Overview: Global commitments to reduce carbon emissions are accelerating the development of new technologies.
• Key Areas:
  • Low-emission transportation: Innovations like hydrogen fuel cell trains (e.g., Coradia iLint) are being explored.
  • Residential and commercial infrastructure: Net-zero emissions HVAC systems and passive solar designs are becoming essential.
  • Renewable energy integration: Data centers and industrial processes can benefit from renewable energy sources.
• Challenges:
  • Energy storage and safe, affordable nuclear energy remain underdeveloped.
  • Global governance is needed to ensure energy equality and compliance with environmental agreements.

2. Crops that Self-Fertilise

• Overview: Legumes use natural symbiosis with soil bacteria to fix nitrogen, reducing the need for synthetic fertilizers.
• Technological Advances:
  • Researchers are working on transferring this ability to non-legume crops.
  • Methods include emulating molecular communication between legumes and bacteria, and modifying bacteria to produce nitrogenase.
• Implications:
  • Could reduce the carbon footprint of fertiliser production and improve food sustainability.
  • Supported by government and private funding for further development.

3. Breath Sensors Diagnose Diseases

• Overview: Breath sensors can detect diseases like diabetes, respiratory conditions, and cancer through volatile organic compounds (VOCs).
• Functionality:
  • Use metal oxide semiconductors to measure changes in electrical resistance.
  • Provide rapid, non-invasive, and cost-effective diagnostics.
• Applications:
  • Useful in low-income countries with limited medical resources.
  • Can aid in early detection and management of diseases.
• Challenges:
  • Accuracy needs improvement, especially for diseases like tuberculosis and cancer.
  • Algorithms must be refined for reliable results.
  • More clinical trials are needed for validation.

4. On-Demand Drug Manufacturing

• Overview: Continuous-flow manufacturing allows for personalized and on-site drug production.
• Benefits:
  • Reduces the need for storage and transportation.
  • Enables remote and field hospital drug production.
  • Supports tailored dosages for individual patients.
• Examples:
  • MIT and DARPA demonstrated the feasibility of on-demand drug production.
  • Companies like On Demand Pharmaceuticals are commercializing this technology.
• Challenges:
  • High costs of portable machines.
  • Need for new quality control and assurance systems.

5. Energy from Wireless Signals

• Overview: 5G technology can power IoT devices through wireless energy harvesting.
• Functionality:
  • Devices use rectennas (antennas + rectifier circuits) to convert wireless signals into usable electricity.
  • Enables low-power devices to operate without plugging in.
• Applications:
  • Supports smart grids, disaster sensors, and agricultural monitoring.
  • Offers freedom from traditional power sources.
• Potential:
  • Could revolutionize the IoT landscape by making it more energy-efficient and sustainable.

6. Engineering Better Ageing

• Overview: Focus on increasing "healthspan" rather than just lifespan.
• Technological Advances:
  • Use of omics technologies (genomics, proteomics, etc.) and epigenetics to understand ageing mechanisms.
  • Identified biomarkers that predict age-related diseases and DNA damage.
• Therapeutic Potential:
  • Early studies suggest interventions that may slow or reverse biological ageing.
  • Companies are developing pharmaceutical and gene therapy approaches.
• Implications:
  • Could improve quality of life for the aging population.
  • Research is still in early stages, with many companies at preclinical or early trial phases.

7. Green Ammonia

• Overview: Produces ammonia using renewable energy, reducing the carbon footprint of fertiliser manufacturing.
• Process:
  • Uses green hydrogen (produced via renewable energy) and clean catalysts.
  • Avoids the carbon emissions from traditional hydrogen production using fossil fuels.
• Examples:
  • Fertiberia and Iberdrola are expanding green ammonia production.
  • Haldor Topsoe is developing renewable catalysts.
• Challenges:
  • High costs of green hydrogen.
  • Need for innovation in production, storage, and transport to make it viable.

8. Biomarker Devices Go Wireless

• Overview: Wireless sensors enable continuous, non-invasive monitoring of chronic diseases.
• Technologies:
  • Sensors in sweat, tears, saliva, and blood detect biomarkers using electromagnetic fields.
  • Include flexible electronics, tattoo-like circuitry, and contact lenses.
• Applications:
  • Monitoring glucose levels for diabetes.
  • Detecting cancer biomarkers and stress indicators.
  • Supporting oral health monitoring via mouth guards.
• Potential:
  • Could revolutionize healthcare by making monitoring more accessible and less invasive.

9. Houses Printed with Local Materials

• Overview: 3-D printing with local materials can reduce construction costs and energy use.
• Materials:
  • Use of soil, hemp, and liquid binders instead of imported concrete.
  • Demonstrated in projects like Massa Lombarda, Italy.
• Benefits:
  • Low cost and energy use.
  • Suitable for remote and impoverished regions.
• Challenges:
  • Limited by the availability of local materials and infrastructure.

10. Space Connects the Globe

• Overview: Satellite technology is enhancing global connectivity and environmental monitoring.
• Applications:
  • Enables more accurate and real-time environmental data collection.
  • Supports IoT expansion through global connectivity.
• Implications:
  • Promotes global collaboration in addressing climate and health issues.
  • Offers new possibilities for disaster response and monitoring.

Key Information

• Interconnected Solutions: The technologies are designed to work together, addressing multiple challenges simultaneously.
• Sustainability Focus: Many innovations aim to reduce carbon emissions and environmental impact.
• Global Impact: These technologies have potential applications in both developed and developing countries.
• Healthcare Advancements: Non-invasive, portable, and wireless diagnostic tools are transforming disease management.
• Agricultural Innovation: Sustainable farming practices are being developed to reduce reliance on synthetic fertilizers.
• Technological Readiness: While promising, most technologies are still in development or early commercialization phases.

Conclusion

The Top 10 Emerging Technologies of 2021 reflect a global shift towards sustainable and interconnected solutions for societal challenges. These innovations, ranging from decarbonization strategies to advanced healthcare tools, are poised to significantly impact the future of energy, agriculture, and human health. However, their widespread adoption depends on overcoming technical, economic, and regulatory hurdles.