IN SPOTLIGHT

Four scenarios on the future of circular economy

The circular economy holds the promise of a zero-waste future, yet formidable challenges in technology, finances, and regulation persist. How will governments and businesses overcome these obstacles to achieve true sustainability?

 
 

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Future Trends Bruno Jacobsen Future Trends Bruno Jacobsen

Will Microplastics Become A Serious Health Issue?

Microplastics, very small plastic fragments, less than 5 millimetres in length, can be found in several places. And there’s a lot of it. A 2015 study showed that there are between 93 and 236 metric tons of microplastics in the world’s oceans. They have also been found in freshwater ecosystems, in the soil, and even in the air. Even more worrying, they have been found inside a lot of animal species.

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Future Trends Spencer Phade Future Trends Spencer Phade

Human Biometric Microchipping

Many years ago, in movies, we used to see someone have their eye scanned to enter a vault or put their fingerprint on a pad to open a futuristic door. But these once futuristic biometric technologies have now started to work their way into our every-day lives. Are microchips next?

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Future Trends Bruno Jacobsen Future Trends Bruno Jacobsen

A Revolution of Tiny Robots

Much has been said about how industrial and non-industrial robots are changing the world. When we think of robots, most of us think of industrial robotic arms, military robots, or anthropomorphic service robots. In other words, big robots. Few think of those robots that are rarely visible to the naked eye: microrobots.

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Future Trends Bruno Jacobsen Future Trends Bruno Jacobsen

Looking for an Alternative to That Glass of Wine?

The alcohol industry is used to competition but not so much to disruption. It has some of the most devout followers and healthiest profit margins of any industry. But some people are trying to bring change to the industry, whether by creating wine in a laboratory or by getting rid of alcohol entirely. Are their efforts being rewarded?

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Future Trends Tapio Mäkelä Future Trends Tapio Mäkelä

Data Successfully Stored in DNA

Data files have been successfully stored into DNA and extracted from it. According to Wired, researchers from Columbia University and the New York Genome Center have stored a movie, an operating system and other files on DNA molecules. The method is called DNA Fountain.

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