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We rank the technologies most likely to change the world by 2028

11 of 18 NEXT PREV
  • 18: Syngas and Power-to-Gas

    18: Syngas and Power-to-Gas

    The team at Lux Research started with the simple question: "What technologies have the greatest potential to transform the world over the next decade?" From there, they applied in-house data analysis to identify and rank the 18 most transformative technologies.

    We count them down here, starting with #18: Syngas and Power-to-Gas. producing fuels from CO2 to drive the energy transition

    Published: February 14, 2018 -- 13:14 GMT (05:14 PST)

    Caption by: ZDNet Editors

  • 17: Neural Interfaces

    17: Neural Interfaces

    Tech to read and stimulate the brain will see growing validation in 2018.

    Published: February 14, 2018 -- 13:14 GMT (05:14 PST)

    Caption by: ZDNet Editors

  • 16: Sugar Reduction

    16: Sugar Reduction

    Over 162,000 patents aim to combat health ills from too much sugar.

    Published: February 14, 2018 -- 13:14 GMT (05:14 PST)

    Photo by: Getty Images/iStockphoto

    Caption by: ZDNet Editors

  • 15: Polyethylene Furanoate (PEF)

    15: Polyethylene Furanoate (PEF)

    Innovation has grown at an 87 percent annual rate to improve on PET.

    Published: February 14, 2018 -- 13:14 GMT (05:14 PST)

    Photo by: Getty Images/iStockphoto

    Caption by: ZDNet Editors

  • 14: Energy Distribution System Monitoring

    14: Energy Distribution System Monitoring

    Growing demand and renewables require tech to balance the grid.

    Published: February 14, 2018 -- 13:14 GMT (05:14 PST)

    Photo by: Getty Images/iStockphoto

    Caption by: ZDNet Editors

  • 13: Edge Computing

    13: Edge Computing

    When milliseconds matter, analytics can be local, not in the cloud.

    Published: February 14, 2018 -- 13:14 GMT (05:14 PST)

    Photo by: Getty Images/iStockphoto

    Caption by: ZDNet Editors

  • 12: IoT Security

    12: IoT Security

    Patents are up 13 times as connected devices proliferate.

    Published: February 14, 2018 -- 13:14 GMT (05:14 PST)

    Photo by: Getty Images/iStockphoto

    Caption by: ZDNet Editors

  • 11: Materials Informatics

    11: Materials Informatics

    Using IT and AI to break out of slow material development cycles.

    Published: February 14, 2018 -- 13:14 GMT (05:14 PST)

    Photo by: Jaco Beukman www.go-nipper.com, Getty Images/iStockphoto

    Caption by: ZDNet Editors

  • 10: Wireless Charging

    10: Wireless Charging

    Here now for consumer electronics, with R&D pushing for EV uses.

    Published: February 14, 2018 -- 13:14 GMT (05:14 PST)

    Caption by: ZDNet Editors

  • 9:  Smartwatches

    9: Smartwatches

    Patents soar from near zero to over 23,000 in less than five years.

    Published: February 14, 2018 -- 13:14 GMT (05:14 PST)

    Caption by: ZDNet Editors

  • 8:  Augmented Reality (AR)

    8: Augmented Reality (AR)

    Enterprise applications are coming now, on heels of $4.4 billion in funding.

    Published: February 14, 2018 -- 13:14 GMT (05:14 PST)

    Caption by: ZDNet Editors

  • 7:  Synthetic Biology

    7: Synthetic Biology

    A recent $275 million round for Ginkgo Bioworks highlights the potential.

    Published: February 14, 2018 -- 13:14 GMT (05:14 PST)

    Caption by: ZDNet Editors

  • 6:  Solid-state Batteries

    6: Solid-state Batteries

    Safer and better batteries, pursued by start-ups and giants like Toyota.

    Published: February 14, 2018 -- 13:14 GMT (05:14 PST)

    Caption by: ZDNet Editors

  • 5:  Microbiome

    5: Microbiome

    Harnessing the power of microbes for nutrition, agriculture, and more.

    Published: February 14, 2018 -- 13:14 GMT (05:14 PST)

    Photo by: Getty Images/iStockphoto

    Caption by: ZDNet Editors

  • 4:  5G Networks

    4: 5G Networks

    Over 70,000 patents set the stage for 5G network launches in 2018.

    Published: February 14, 2018 -- 13:14 GMT (05:14 PST)

    Caption by: ZDNet Editors

  • 3:  Genome Editing

    3: Genome Editing

    $1.2 billion in VC funding to impact industries from food to health care.

    Published: February 14, 2018 -- 13:14 GMT (05:14 PST)

    Photo by: Getty Images/iStockphoto

    Caption by: ZDNet Editors

  • 2: 3D Printing and Additive Manufacturing

    2: 3D Printing and Additive Manufacturing

    Lux expects 3D printing to be a $20 billion market by 2025.

    Published: February 14, 2018 -- 13:14 GMT (05:14 PST)

    Photo by: Alex_Tr., Getty Images/iStockphoto

    Caption by: ZDNet Editors

  • 1: Machine Learning and Deep Neural Networks

    1: Machine Learning and Deep Neural Networks

    The top transformative technology of the next decade, driven by a 30 percent annual increase in machine learning patents.

    Published: February 14, 2018 -- 13:14 GMT (05:14 PST)

    Photo by: Getty Images/iStockphoto

    Caption by: ZDNet Editors

11 of 18 NEXT PREV
ZDNet Editors

By ZDNet Editors | February 14, 2018 -- 13:14 GMT (05:14 PST) | Topic: Innovation

  • 18: Syngas and Power-to-Gas
  • 17: Neural Interfaces
  • 16: Sugar Reduction
  • 15: Polyethylene Furanoate (PEF)
  • 14: Energy Distribution System Monitoring
  • 13: Edge Computing
  • 12: IoT Security
  • 11: Materials Informatics
  • 10: Wireless Charging
  • 9:  Smartwatches
  • 8:  Augmented Reality (AR)
  • 7:  Synthetic Biology
  • 6:  Solid-state Batteries
  • 5:  Microbiome
  • 4:  5G Networks
  • 3:  Genome Editing
  • 2: 3D Printing and Additive Manufacturing
  • 1: Machine Learning and Deep Neural Networks

From today's rock stars of innovation to tomorrow's hidden gems, these 18 technologies have the greatest potential to transform the world over the next decade.

Read More Read Less

8: Augmented Reality (AR)

Enterprise applications are coming now, on heels of $4.4 billion in funding.

Published: February 14, 2018 -- 13:14 GMT (05:14 PST)

Caption by: ZDNet Editors

11 of 18 NEXT PREV

Related Topics:

CXO Digital Transformation Tech Industry Smart Cities Cloud
ZDNet Editors

By ZDNet Editors | February 14, 2018 -- 13:14 GMT (05:14 PST) | Topic: Innovation

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