The past 10 years has seen many significant advances in our capability to develop materials with increasing precision at this scale. The result is radical materials – materials that far outperform conventional materials in their strength, lightness, conductivity, ability to transmit heat, and a whole host of other characteristics. Many of these are still at the research stage. However; as requirements for high performance materials continue to be in demand everywhere from medical devices to advanced microprocessors as well as safe, efficient cars to pilot space flight, the development and use of radical materials will become more common. In particular, watch out for products based on carbon nanotubes.
Forces that would support the research would include technical and governmental. For obvious reasons, technology drives the requirements and governments interest in supplying resources for new technologies would benefit society as a whole.
Inhibiting forces could include social/political. Many groups see advances in technologies that include research to support non natural creations as risky and are more likely to protest against further advances.
Open collaboration on this technology type would be appropriate and beneficial between those that understood the context and application. Scientific and governmental interests in developing new types of materials is well expected and received in those communities.
Reference Link: http://2020science.org/2009/12/25/ten-emerging-technology-trends-to-watch/#ixzz1BzoM6hZq
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