Scan Monthly No. 027May 2005 |
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Signals of Change
Offshoring Everything
SoC105
Offshoring is expanding beyond its original base in call centers and software-development processes into such areas as research and development, film postproduction, and product engineering and design. How will Western companies compete for the lead in technological innovation when many of the building blocks for that innovation no longer exist at home?
Happinomics
SoC106
The economics of happiness—happinomics—seeks to develop objective measurements for life events that will quantify the elusive quality of human happiness. The endeavor holds implications for companies developing new products and services, corporations fostering employee productivity, and government social planning.
Real-Time Sensor Data
SoC107
New types of sensors and wireless networking technologies are emerging that instantly alert users or instantly deliver data suitable for computer processing, opening up new applications of data online and on location. Sensor information can directly and immediately benefit users—indicating high toxin levels in the air, for example—and immediately connect to other parties such as emergency crews.
Integral Medicine
SoC108
Conventional medicine is facing competition from what some practitioners refer to as integral medicine, a multidimensional view of healing that addresses physical, mental, and emotional needs of the patient using as complete and as comprehensive an approach as possible in treating any illness. Consumers are voting with their dollars.
GeneChips to Market
SoC109
Microarray technology is an enabling technology for conducting biological analyses with key commercial applications in research environments. Recent developments indicate a growing market acceptance of the technology among a broad base of end users beyond laboratory researchers.
Cell Phones and Sensor Platforms
SoC110
The proliferation of cell phones has reached the point where they collectively represent a formidable infrastructure that potentially enables collection of a variety of data for various applications. Increasingly, product and service developers are creatively leveraging already-existing infrastructures, such as the cell-phone system, as means of distributing sensors across wide domains.
Insights
| Bioanalytical Devices: Research Developments and Trends | View full summary |
| D05-2506 | Download this Insight |
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Microelectromechanical systems (MEMS), which include microfabricated devices or systems incorporating a mechanical component or measurement function, are rapidly finding applications in the life sciences, giving rise to the term bioMEMS. BioMEMS are suitable for low-cost mass production, which allows the creation of disposable devices. BioMEMS provide an opportunity to develop devices and systems that are small and light and that feature the low power consumption necessary for portable or implantable devices. A leading bioMEMS application area is medical devices, such as implantable devices for monitoring cardiac rhythm, pressure sensors, hearing aids, cochlear implants, smart stents, and minimally invasive surgical tools. Another key application is lab-on-a-chip/microfluidics devices for high-throughput biological screening, nucleic acidbased testing, drug delivery, microreactors, and chemical separations. Author: Andrew Broderick. 12 pages. |
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| Wind Energy: Entering the Mainstream | View full summary |
| D05-2507 | Download this Insight |
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Wind energy accounts for a small but growing share of the global energy portfolio. In 2004, the world's installed wind-power capacity increased by more than 20%. According to the World Wind Energy Association, total installed capacity now amounts to 47 616 megawatts. Government incentives and mandates continue to be the major drivers of growth, although the economics of wind energy are becoming increasingly attractive as the price of natural gas continues to rise. This study examines the continuing evolution of the wind-energy industry, itemizing recent developments such as the introduction of new materials for rotor blades; new blade, turbine, and tower designs; increased turbine capacity; and growing use of wind power in China. Author: Marifaith Hackett. 7 pages. |
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Calendar
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:
- 20 July 2005 at 9:00 am
- 21 September 2005 at 9:00 am
- 19 October 2005 at 9:00 am
- 25 January 2006 at 9:00 am
- 22 March 2006 at 9:00 am
- 17 May 2006 at 9:00 am.