Converging technologies and their implications for technology transfer: The case of European networks (N EuroNet) and NBIC (nano-bio-info-cogno) technologies as drivers of change

Greg Tegart
Executive Advisor, APEC Center for Technology Foresight, Bangkok, Thailand; Visiting Professor, Victoria University of Technology, Melbourne VIC

PP: 468 - 476

Abstract

The convergence of information science, nano-scale science and molecular biology is creating new technologies with potential to change radically industrial, economic and social structures in the 21^st Century. The development of convergent technologies such as bioinformatics, DNA diagnostics, molecular electronics and neural computation are revolutionizing the traditional interaction between researchers and industry and society. New models for research management are evolving based around networks which break down the barriers between traditional disciplines.

Examples of European networks are discussed in terms of stages of development and the implications for technology transfer and application of research results. The case of nanotechnology is explored and the need for rapid changes in the education system at all levels, enhanced understanding by industry decision makers and adequate dialogue with society is emphasized. The potential markets are enormous but lack of communication between all the parties involved could lead to poor technology transfer and poor returns for the very large sums expended in research.

Keywords

converging technologies; networks; nanotechnology; social impacts of new technologies; technology transfer

Article Text

The convergence of rapidly developing information, communication and media technologies together with the deregulation of international trade, capital and technology markets and of domestic economic systems has created a new world economic structure, the so-called Global Knowledge Economy. The defining characteristics of the Global Knowledge Economy are globalization and the rising knowledge intensity of goods and services (Sheehan & Tegart 1999).

The rise of the Global Knowledge Economy has changed the culture of research and it is now recognized that the most productive research is increasingly interdisciplinary and team-based. In this situation knowledge flows across interdisciplinary boundaries, human resources are more mobile and the organization of research is more open and flexible (Gibbons et al 1994).

As a result of these changes we have seen the simultaneous development of three major new interdisciplinary areas of science and technology arising from the established disciplines of physics, chemistry, biology and engineering in different combinations, namely:

Information Science - the understanding of the physical basis of information and application of this understanding to most efficiently gather, store, transmit and process information.

Nanoscale Science - the understanding and control of matter on the nanometer length scale to create new materials, devices and systems.

Molecular Biology - the understanding of the chemical basis of life and the ability to utilize this understanding for a new approach to biology, new avenues for drug development and drastic changes in health-care systems

The knowledge base in each of these areas has the capacity to increase exponentially for several decades into the future, assuming that the current rate of growth of the research effort is maintained. Each field by itself offers tremendous opportunities and also potential dangers for society. Great prospects and challenges are becoming evident in the convergence areas where two or all three of these areas overlap. The difficulties that are inherent in this convergence process.

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