1. High-Temperature Superconductivity

This isn't about room-temperature superconductors, but rather high-temperature superconductivity (HTS), which refers to certain ceramics exhibiting minimal electrical resistance at temperatures above -196°C (-321°F). This allows HT superconductors to be cooled using accessible liquid nitrogen instead of more expensive coolants like liquid helium. Additionally, they can endure much stronger magnetic fields than their low-temperature counterparts.

While there are numerous applications for superconductive materials, one transformative use remains paramount: HTS can enhance the electric power industry by reducing technical losses and improving energy efficiency, leading to a lesser environmental footprint. Future discussions may revolve around its potential in fusion reactors, although these conversations are still in their infancy.

Currently, HTS is a developing technology. While ceramic superconductors are beginning to find practical applications, they remain more complex and costly compared to conventional technologies. As with the other innovations on this list, further research is essential!

• Read more about HTS on IBM’s website.

2. Commercial Nuclear Fusion Power

Nuclear fusion is a process that releases energy when hydrogen atoms are subjected to extreme heat and fused together, similar to how the sun generates energy. This method offers a near-limitless supply of hydrogen derived from water, with helium as its only by-product. Moreover, fusion reactors are inherently safer than fission reactors, as they do not produce long-lived radioactive waste. If realized, commercial fusion power would deliver affordable energy with minimal environmental impact, enhancing energy availability and security.

Various nations are heavily investing in fusion research, with private enterprises also conducting experiments. The ITER reactor, under construction in France and set to begin operations in 2026, aims to achieve energy-positive fusion, with many other reactors in development.

However, fusion research is slow and requires substantial capital. The primary challenge is that current reactors must create temperatures exceeding those found in the sun to initiate fusion, a process that consumes more energy than it generates. Despite recent advancements, commercial fusion power remains uncertain and is likely still a decade away.

• Learn more about commercial nuclear fusion power at the International Atomic Energy Agency.

3. Robot Knowledge Sharing

Robots, whether in factories, warehouses, homes, or public spaces, are remarkable yet often limited in their capabilities. They excel in controlled settings but struggle with new situations, leading to costly failures. The concept of “robot knowledge sharing” could revolutionize this by establishing a standardized protocol for robots to exchange information.

This information would be acquired through trial and error (reinforcement learning), a proven method for AI learning. Knowledge could range from recognizing obstacles in their path to mastering the manipulation of intricate shapes. This advancement would substantially boost efficiency and significantly reduce robotics costs.

Once this technology is implemented, reversing it might not be feasible. However, as we think about this future, we must consider the need for standardization across hardware, sensors, and machine learning processes. Companies may have differing interests, which could hinder progress. Ultimately, it may be humanity's propensity for disagreement that ensures our safety.

• Explore more on Robot Knowledge Sharing from the University of Southern California.

4. Digital Twins of Customers

Imagine having a crystal ball that reveals consumer behavior: companies are working towards this by developing AI-generated digital twins of their customers. While these digital replicas won't predict the future in a grand sense, they will offer insights into consumer choices, such as which brand of toilet paper they might prefer.

By analyzing vast amounts of data—including purchasing history, online behavior, and social media interactions—companies can create these digital representations.

These digital twins will assist businesses in understanding and forecasting behaviors, enabling them to test different marketing strategies without significant risk. As competition tightens and borrowing costs rise, firms will benefit from this capability to simulate customer responses, ultimately aiming to minimize failures and maximize profits.

Digital Twins are already being piloted and will likely perform well at the persona or customer category level. However, individual tracking may face challenges as consumers become increasingly wary of data exploitation. Companies must build trust in their data practices to effectively utilize this technology. Even then, predicting the unpredictable remains a daunting task.

• Find out more about Customer Digital Twins at Absolute Data.

5. 6G

Just three years ago, I was discussing the transformative potential of 5G across various sectors such as IoT and self-driving technology. Yet, it's already time to look ahead to 6G. Fortunately, its features are not yet firmly established, allowing me to express my hopes and later address any disappointments. Although research and development have commenced, 6G won't be commercially available until around 2030, following the telecom industry's trend of introducing new generations every decade.

What we do know is that 6G will offer enhanced peak data rates, reduced latency, greater connection density, and improved energy efficiency compared to 5G. However, the extent of improvement remains to be seen. Experts anticipate that AI will play a crucial role in this technology, along with considerations for security and privacy.

A significant deviation from 5G will be the involvement of government entities in its design, as countries like South Korea, Japan, and the United States are keen to influence the future of their infrastructure. Whether this is beneficial for privacy remains to be seen.

• Learn more about 6G on Wikipedia.

6. 4D Printing

The term 4D printing can be misleading; it does not refer to accessing another dimension. Essentially, a 4D-printed product is a 3D-printed object that can change its properties in response to certain stimuli (e.g., water, heat, or motion). The "fourth dimension" is thus associated with smart materials.

The main hurdle for this technology is identifying suitable smart materials for various applications, such as hydrogels or shape memory polymers. While research is ongoing, we are far from having market-ready solutions, particularly when it comes to mastering reversible changes in materials.

Promising applications include healthcare (e.g., pills that activate at specific body temperatures), fashion (e.g., clothing that adjusts to temperature changes), and home furnishings (e.g., furniture that becomes rigid under specific conditions). Another intriguing possibility is computational folding, allowing larger items to be printed as a single component.

• Read more about 4D printing on Sculpteo.

7. Smart Street Poles

As cities worldwide adopt new technologies to improve efficiency and livability, street poles will emerge as vital infrastructure. By integrating various IoT devices (cameras, sensors, displays) into existing light poles, we will enable centralized monitoring and control, transforming them into hubs for smart city services.

These familiar elements of urban life could be repurposed for electric vehicle charging, interactive lighting, parking management, and crowd control. They will also lay the groundwork for citywide Wi-Fi or 5G networks, enhancing connectivity for intelligent urban services, including autonomous vehicles.

Nevertheless, widespread implementation of Smart Street Poles faces several challenges, including ownership complexities, evolving return on investment expectations, asset management, data handling, cybersecurity, and privacy issues. However, I remain optimistic—this public/private debate has persisted for centuries, and the poles remain standing.

• Learn more about Smart Street Poles from The Pourquoi Pas.

8. Ion-Propelled UAVs

Smart Poles are just one of the futuristic innovations we can expect. The idea of flying cars has long been a staple of science fiction, but the noise from traditional propellers makes them impractical in urban settings. Enter ion-propelled UAVs (unmanned aerial vehicles), which utilize no moving parts.

Ion propulsion operates simply: it employs a special gas (xenon), which is ionized using electricity, resulting in positively charged ions expelled at high speeds due to an electric field. This method works exceptionally well in space, where resistance is minimal, allowing for considerable distances to be covered with little xenon.

Challenges arise on Earth due to air resistance and gravity, necessitating lightweight designs that may initially restrict altitude and safety. However, the vision of ion-propelled UAVs, representing a silent and environmentally conscious future, is indeed tantalizing.

• Explore more about Ion-Propelled UAVs on NASA’s website.

Predicting the Next Big Technology Trends

Technology often mirrors society, reflecting both its virtues and flaws. It's crucial to remember that technology itself is neutral; our daily choices ultimately determine whether it becomes the “Next Big Thing” or a “Next Big Flop.”

Let’s ensure that the innovations discussed here contribute to advancing society in a fair and humane manner.

Best of luck on your journey!

One More Thing

I would greatly appreciate your feedback on my writing! I enjoy reading your comments, except for the unkind ones—those make me sad. To stay updated on my work, consider subscribing to my newsletter on Medium or my blog.

This article was originally crafted for wearedevelopers.com, Europe’s leading job platform for developers.

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