About
TOPICS INCLUDE:
• Nanobots
• “Modders” and “hackers”
• Web services
• ’Net-based collaboration
• Science breakthroughs
• Data classification
• Digital libraries
• Computer/network security
• Locative media
• Software trends
• Bioinformatics
CONFERENCE OVERVIEW
Within IT, what are the new ideas taking aim at enterprise adoption? Or, which old ideas are finding that their time has finally come? Often technologies get re-worked and tested, are finally adopted at the fringe (where competitive advantage begins), and start to take hold. Which have a chance to win out?
Beyond IT, what are the major technology trends? Top down bulk material engineering gave us our most basic machines, from integrated circuits through nanotechnology. Bottom up evolution has given us everything from the basic acids to life itself. We are seeing an interesting crossover of these two worlds where systems and humans will be able to build, influence, and interact with one another.
Biological elements made by our technology and biology itself may be the centerpiece of future technological organizations and society.
At this NextGens session, we’ll examine a range of “stage-left” technologies, those long shots that might just change everything. We’ll look at future applications and solutions designed through a combined hierarchic, algorithmic, chaotic, and genetic mix. Novel approaches to storage, processing and display technologies, intelligent materials, and software and systems will be placed in context of an even faster and more adaptable future... including medicine, aerospace, IT, and defense. As IT changes – which it has always done and will always do, no matter how much we wish it might just level off – so will the worlds of business and government, scientific research, entertainment, education, communication, and every other facet of our lives.
FIELD TRIP DESCRIPTION
At George Washington University, we will see demonstrations of or hear about the following technologies:
EJECTOR TECHNOLOGY
DR. CHARLES GARRIS, Department of Mechanical Engineering
This ejector technology has uses in: turbomachinery, particularly non-steady flow ejectors utilizing pressure exchange, energy separation devices, turbochargers and turboexpanders; refrigeration and air conditioning systems, particularly those using ejectors; fuel cells, including system issues involving turbo-expander pressurization and reformation; and jet propulsion using non-steady flow.
http://www.seas.gwu.edu/%7Egarris/Pages/Research.html
DETECTION OF DROWSY DRIVERS
DR. AZIM ESKANDARIAN, Center for Intelligent Systems
This technology detects drowsiness in drivers and will be linked to a warning systems to facilitate collision avoidance. Forty percent of highway crashes are due to drowsy drivers. The patterns of drowsiness are detectable more than 1 minute prior to a person actually falling asleep and crashing.
http://www.cisr.gwu.edu/research/drowsy_details.html
DETECTION OF TRACE AIR CONSTITUENTS USING NOVEL CAVITY RINGDOWN SPECTROSCOPY
DR. HOUSTON MILLER, Department of Chemistry
This technology has two fields of use: homeland security and industrial safety. The system can give a very accurate reading of particulates in the air. Current technologies, such as smoke detectors, sound an alarm without respect to whether the number of particulates measured is dangerous. This new technology tells exactly how much is in the air (dosage level) and can reduce the number false positive readings.
http://home.gwu.edu/~houston/
AMPLIFIED PIEZOELECTRIC BIMORPH SCANNING MIRROR
DR. JASON ZARA, Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering
This technology is an amplified bimorph scanning mirror for use as the lateral scanning arm in an optical coherence system. It is similar to ultrasound or radar, but measures reflected infrared light at a very high resolution, and can be used for minimally invasive medical imaging. The mirror can detect structural anomalies, such as tumors in the eye, bladder, and urinary tract.
http://www.gwu.edu/~research/gwnt/mirror.htm
PROTEIN MICROSCOPE
DR. AKOS VERTES, Department of Chemistry and Institute for Proteomics Technology and Applications
The Institute is developing a new in vivo protein microscope that will allow researchers for the first time to view how proteins interact in living tissue. The microscope is expected to enable researchers to identify protein targets that may advance the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases such as ALS (Lou Gehrig’s disease) and spinal muscular atrophy.
http://www.gwu.edu/%7Emedia/pressrelease.cfm?ann_id=12629
FLUORESCENT-BASED METHODS FOR RAPID CHARACTERIZATION OF GENOMIC MITOCHONDRIAL DNA POLYMORPHISMS
DR. MOSES SCHANFIELD, Department of Forensic Sciences
This technology involves the generation and detection of mitochondrial DNA polymorphism-based (genetic variation) signatures, and can be used for molecular diagnostics (such as diseases) and in the identification of remains from mass casualty events.
THRUST AUGMENTATION THROUGH ACTIVE FLOW CONTROL
RAJAT MITTAL, Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering
Dr. Mittal has developed methodologies for increasing the efficiency and thrust of an oscillating foil thruster on autonomous underwater vehicles (AUVs). This use of biomimetics looks at how fish achieve efficiencies with flapping foils, thereby increasing the battery life and thrust of AUVs. Dr. Mittal was also a consultant for US swim team to help swimmer develop better form.
http://project.seas.gwu.edu/~fsagmae/
ACCELEGLOVE
JOSE HERNANDEZ-REBOLLAR, Department of Electrical Engineering
The AcceleGlove is a portable glove-based input interface, designed as an assistive device that translates hand and gestured-based languages into written and spoken language. In addition to assisting deaf and hard of hearing individuals, uses include applications in the military (where location is important) and industrial sites (where verbal communication is difficult in loud environments).
http://www.gwu.edu/~research/gwnt/accele.htm