FUTURE INNOVATIONS
Foresight
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The work we carried out on the Manufacturing Immortality Project aimed to push the boundaries of material science and research methodology, paving the way both for new materials to be deployed within industry and new research methods to be used within academia.
Machine Learning
Our researchers from the School of Mathematics and Computing Science at Heriot-Watt University, explored how machine learning and artificial intelligence can be used to make research more efficient.
A key element of research is analysing and interpreting data. Using computers, rather than humans, to 'mine data', recognise and predict patterns has potential to make this process more effective as machines can analyse greater amounts of data across a wider range of dimensions and parameters.
Animate Materials
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Self-healing materials are part of a wider group of materials known as 'animate materials'. These are materials that can sense their environment and change in response to it. This emerging field of science has the potential to revolutionise materials and could have applications across a wide range sectors, such as, construction, healthcare or fashion. Buildings could harvest carbon dioxide and produce energy. Smart bandages could change colour in response to infection and release antibiotics when needed. Tiny robotic modules (claytronic atoms or ‘catoms’) could assemble and disassemble into objects such as a table or chairs.
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To find out more more visit The Royal Society.
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