Scan Monthly No. 018August 2004 |
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Signals of Change
Mixing New Media
SoC065
The proliferation of new media that the past decade has brought us is complicated and confusing enough. But now, researchers, technologists, content providers, and retailers are tossing various media into a bag, giving it a good shake, and introducing us to newly mixed media. Mobile television for cell phones will soon be upon us, as will video file-sharing products and schemes. And real simple syndication promises to provide the ultimate in selecting, subscribing to, and viewing television programming—on your computer.
VoIP: Proceed with Caution
SoC066
Voice over Internet protocol (VoIP), which transports phone calls as data packets over the Internet, now appears ready for prime time with major corporations investing in VoIP systems. Boeing is the largest U.S. company so far to adopt VoIP technology. But caution is still necessary—denial-of-service attacks over VoIP networks (similar to those that use e-mail on the Internet) have caused network shutdowns and substantial losses for several companies that have implemented VoIP systems.
Electronics, Fabrics, and Clothing
SoC067
In many ways, clothes are the logical place to locate our electronic equipment and interfaces. We're always wearing clothes, so they're always conveniently available. In other ways, however, the arrangement makes less sense. Clothes and electronic devices travel through dramatically different manufacturing and retail channels. Product life-cycle length and product prices differ for the two types of products. And electronic devices tend not to weather washing machines very well. But clothiers and consumer-electronics makers are beginning to work together, and some interesting hybrids are emerging—not to forget new product ideas that combine electronics with fabrics for applications other than clothing.
Selling Serenity
SoC068
In the face of information glut, media overload, too many choices, and too many demands on people's time, serenity is becoming an increasingly compelling offer in the marketplace. Consumers may find serenity to be the one element missing in their have-it-all lifestyle. Toning down and tuning out may turn out to be options that increasing numbers of consumers develop a taste for.
Insights
| Commercial Prospects for Nanomaterials | View summary |
| D04-2482 | Download this Insight |
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Nanomaterials and nanostructures offer properties, phenomena, and processes that set them apart from materials at larger scales and open the door to many interesting commercial possibilities. Though nanomaterials already exist in their natural form—for example, in quantum-based lasers—the real challenge for materials scientists is to synthesize nanomaterials and nano-related structures and devices in efficient and cheap ways. By reducing the dimensions of structures, scientists can create entities—such as carbon nanotubes, quantum dots, thin films, laser emitters, and resonance-tunneling transistors—with unique and commercially important properties. Nanomaterials technology is still in its infancy, but as the technology matures, it could launch a technological revolution, offering unprecedented materials performance and innovative applications. The impact of nanomaterials development on industry will start to be evident in the next few years. Manufacturers will increase their efforts to commercialize nanomaterials before they understand the materials' environmental, health, and safety impacts and before proper guidelines for controlling their use and proliferation are in place. Nonetheless, demand for such materials will be strong in many industries, including the chemical and materials, cosmetics, paint, biotechnology, and electronics industries. Author: Michael Adeogun. 18 pages. |
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| The Regenerative Power of Human Stem Cells | View summary |
| D04-2483 | Download this Insight |
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Many of the world's major diseases involve irreversible pathological growth or degeneration of a crucial cell type or tissue. Examples include cancers, heart disease, Alzheimer's disease, diabetes, and arthritis. Techniques to enable the regeneration of failing tissue present medical researchers with some of the best potential means for treating such diseases. In particular, embryonic stem cells have generated most interest in this regard. Embryonic stem cells, which are nonaging and infinitely self-renewing, can self-replicate indefinitely in culture and can develop into any human tissue. According to many scientists, regenerative medicine using embryonic stem cells could—given significant funding and research in years to come—offer the potential of personalized tissue replacement. This study provides an overview of stem-cell research and lists potential applications, industry participants, and organizations conducting research in the area. Authors: Andrew Broderick and Erin Coberth. 9 pages. |
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| Recent Developments in Biofuel Cells | View summary |
| D04-2484 | Download this Insight |
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Biofuel cells are devices that use biocatalysts to convert chemical energy to electrical energy. These devices harness energy from whole-cell organisms (microbial-based biofuel cells) or use enzymes from living organisms (enzymatic biofuel cells) in the electron-transfer chain between the fuel substrate and the electrode surface. Interest in biofuel cells is on the rise for several reasons. Biofuel cells are a renewable energy source, and demand for clean energy from renewable resources is rising. Demand for small, lightweight power sources to provide power in remote areas or to power small devices is also on the rise. In the case of very small devices, biofuel cells may be the only technology capable of providing power at that scale. Biofuel cells have the potential to be less expensive than conventional fuel cells because they don't require precious-metal catalysts and may use more effective configurations than the traditional design of an anode and cathode separated by a polymeric membrane. Finally, biofuel cells have the potential for fueling processes that are easier and safer than those for conventional fuel cells. Author: Barbara Heydorn. 8 pages. |
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| Revaluing Water: 2004 | View summary |
| D04-2485 | Download this Insight |
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The process by which the world is revaluing its clean-water resources is in most cases gradual and evolving. (See also SoC011, "Revaluing Water," in the May 2003 Scan Monthly.) Although some advocacy groups paint a picture of dire and imminent global consequences associated with water scarcity, the fact of the matter is that significant efficiencies remain available in optimizing clean-water resources through conservation, reuse, and a reordering of market mechanisms and priorities. This study collects and presents data points from throughout the world and from a variety of domains that signal the shape and progress of the revaluing process that water is currently experiencing. These data points constitute signals that can serve as pointers or warnings for companies about potential opportunities or hazards on the road to revaluing water. The study includes an example of a scenarios matrix useful for companies that are developing flexible strategies for dealing with the uncertainties surrounding clean-water issues. Author: Kermit M. Patton. 12 pages. |
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Calendar
Scan™ Briefings
The biannual Scan™ Briefings in which Scan staff present Scan analysis and findings in Menlo Park, California, will take place on:
- 21 October 2004 at 8:00 am
- 19 May 2005 at 8:00 am
Scan™ Abstract Meetings
Scan abstract meetings (in which SRIC-BI [now SBI] staff participate in a free-form discussion of current Scan abstracts) are open for client observation/participation on:
- 22 September 2004 at 9:00 am
- 20 October 2004 at 1:30 pm
- 26 January 2005 at 9:00 am
- 23 March 2005 at 9:00 am
- 18 May 2005 at 1:30 pm
- 20 July 2005 at 9:00 am.
Watch List
The Scan program's scanning and research processes identify areas on the periphery of your organizations's focus that constitute potential opportunities or threats. The areas that we decide bear watching go on Scan's watch list of defining forces that are transforming the business environment. Current watch-list topics include:
