brite Innovation Review Winter 2023

This issue of brite Innovation Review brings another compendium of cutting-edge innovations and explores their potential and impact.

The concept of “Smart Dust” refers to the idea of miniature devices, often much smaller than a grain of sand, that can collect and transmit data. As technology continues to advance, the potential uses for these tiny devices are becoming increasingly vast. From monitoring air quality to tracking wildlife, the implications of “Smart Dust” are far-reaching. On the other hand, Quantum dots, a type of nanocrystal, have revolutionised the field of bioimaging, enabling scientists to visualise biological processes at the molecular level with unprecedented clarity. In this issue of brite, we will delve into the current state of research surrounding these two exciting topics, examining the potential benefits and challenges they present.

In recent years, advancements in aerospace technology have led to the development of hypersonic systems and electric aircraft designs. These innovations are shaping the future of air travel and revolutionising the aerospace industry. Electric aircraft designs promise to reduce emissions and operating costs. And, hypersonic systems have evolved significantly from entertainment to weapons in recent years. Initially, they were developed for space travel and scientific exploration. However, with advances in technology, they have become more sophisticated and are now used in military applications such as intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs) and hypersonic glide vehicles (HGVs). These systems are capable of flying at extremely high speeds, making them difficult to detect and intercept, which makes them highly valued as weapons.

The advent of Industry 5.0 is poised to fundamentally transform the manufacturing landscape. With its emphasis on automation, digitisation, and interconnectivity, Industry 5.0 is set to revolutionise the way goods are produced and delivered. From supply chain management to product design, every aspect of manufacturing will be impacted by the advancements of Industry 5.0. In this brite Innovation Review, we will explore the exciting possibilities and challenges presented by this new era of manufacturing. From the integration of advanced technologies such as artificial intelligence and the Internet of Things, to the shifting of traditional manufacturing paradigms, we will examine the impact of Industry 5.0 on the future of manufacturing and its implications for businesses, workers, and society as a whole.

Edge AI has the potential to reduce the costs of data processing and management. By performing data processing and analysis at the edge of the network, close to the source of the data, Edge AI can reduce the amount of data that needs to be transmitted over the network, which can reduce bandwidth costs. Additionally, by processing data locally, Edge AI can reduce the need for expensive and time-consuming data transfers to central data centres, which can reduce overall data processing costs. Furthermore, Edge AI can also reduce costs associated with power consumption and cooling, as it requires less computational resources than traditional cloud-based solutions.

Carbon capture and storage (CCS) is a promising technology for mitigating greenhouse gas emissions and addressing the impacts of climate change. However, as with any new technology, it is important to understand and address the potential risks associated with its implementation. From leakage and long-term storage to economic and regulatory considerations, there are a number of factors that must be considered when evaluating the viability of CCS as a solution to reducing carbon emissions. In this issue of brite, we will delve into the challenges and risks associated with CCS, exploring the science, technology, and policy considerations that must be addressed in order to ensure the safe and effective implementation of this critical component of a low-carbon future.

The development of quantum computing has raised many concerns about the potential threats it poses to the security of critical infrastructure. While quantum computers have the potential to solve complex problems at a faster pace than traditional computers, they could also be used to crack cryptographic codes and algorithms that protect sensitive information. In light of these concerns, the question of whether critical infrastructure should be protected from experimental quantum computers has become a topic of discussion in both academic and policy circles. In this issue of brite, we will examine the current state of quantum computing and its potential impact on critical infrastructure, and explore the arguments for and against protecting critical infrastructure from experimental quantum computers.

The physics concept of exponentially coupling certain systems to quantum vacuum can lead to a source of energy is attracting further attention. A false vacuum is a state of space where the energy density is temporarily higher than the true ground state. The interaction between a false vacuum and the quantum vacuum, also known as the “vacuum fluctuation” is thought to be a source of energy. Is this a speculative idea or can it really generate energy in a practical sense?

The world of passwordless authentication is heading towards a future where digital identity is secure, convenient, and accessible to everyone. The use of passwords has become increasingly problematic as cyber threats continue to evolve and hackers become more sophisticated. Passwordless authentication methods, such as biometrics, device-based authentication, and single sign-on, are becoming increasingly popular as a solution to these security challenges. More light will be shed on this area of persistent pain.

As the world economies are trying to emerge from lethargy that the Covid-19 Pandemic has inflected, innovation has the potential to reshape the principles of economics by disrupting traditional economic models that change the supply and demand dynamics of a market. Demand-sensing economics or intelligent economics is about optimising the dynamics of supply and demand in real-time and responding to changes in the market in an efficient and optimised manner. Are economies ready to shift towards the promise of continuous demand-sensing?

We will hear from our partners the City of Glasgow College about how their relentless focus on innovation helped them achieve the highest possible ranking from the European Foundation of Quality Management, putting CoGC in some esteemed company. Be inspired!

Enjoy reading these articles and we look forward to receiving your stories.

Professor Sa’ad Sam Medhat
PhD MPhil CEng FIET FCIM FCMI FRSA FIKE FIoD
Chief Executive of Institute of Innovation and Knowledge Exchange
Visiting Professor of Innovation and Digital Transformation, University of Westminster

Are we all breathing SMART Dust?

As nanotechnology progresses, the potential uses for Smart Dust are becoming increasingly vast

Quantum Dots

Enable scientists to visualise biological processes at the molecular level with unprecedented clarity

Hypersonic Systems

Have evolved significantly from entertainment to weapons in recent years

Digital Identity

Where is the world of passwordless heading

Industry 5.0

With its emphasis on automation, digitisation, and interconnectivity, Industry 5.0 is set to revolutionise the way goods are produced and delivered

Experimental quantum computers

The potential threats they poses to the security of critical infrastructure

Edge AI

By performing data processing and analysis at the edge of the network, close to the source of the data, Edge AI can reduce the costs of data processing and management

Carbon Capture and Storage

What are the risks of Carbon Capture and Storage?

Green aviation

Electric aircraft designs promise to reduce emissions and operating costs

Driving excellence in innovation

We hear from our partners the City of Glasgow College about how their relentless focus on innovation helped them achieve the highest possible ranking from the European Foundation of Quality Management

Creation out of nothing

The physics concept of exponentially coupling certain systems to quantum vacuum can lead to a source of energy is attracting further attention

Robot dogs take a walk on the wired side

Robots are learning to walk and work

Can innovation reshape the principles of economics?

This article explains the concept of the Economics of Intelligence and discusses how innovation is changing the way we think about economic principles

ABOUT BRITE INNOVATION REVIEW

Brite is a quarterly digital journal published by the Institute of Innovation and Knowledge Exchange. This magazine highlights the innovations, ideas and people who are transforming industry, education and government policy and provides a digital platform to promote science, technology and business innovation, exchanging ideas and knowledge, and encouraging the advancement of innovative practice across different sectors.

Brite brings together leading thinkers from business, education, research and industry to celebrate and promote the original thought and creative processes that drive economic and societal development. Each issue is distributed to IKE Institute’s audience of decision-makers across industries, and is also distributed to IKE’s members and audience across government, industry and education.