1999 - Volume 2 - Journal of Engineered Fibers and Fabrics

Emerging Technology
Paperless Society ... The use of wireless communications, innovative displays and individualized web
publications will help reduce the reliance on paper for many activities. Advanced display systems may
imitate paper in flexibility and portability. The researchers suggest that one approach will involve
projecting images directly on the retina of the eye. This capability, coupled with a cellular phone, could
provide faxes and customized news anywhere. For paper products that continue to be used,
biodegradable inks will be more common.
Molecular Design ... The use of molecular design for catalysts can make chemical reactions and
processes so precise that little or no wastes are produced. It suggests that sensors designed at the
molecular level will monitor material and chemical manufacturing processes more precisely. This will
help to halt or correct processes that are sensitive to temperature changes and other parameters. This
breakthrough may expand uses of nonwovens, but may also have an impact on the production of
nonwoven products.
Bioprocessing ... This concept utilizes microorganisms and plants that will "grow" environmentally
friendly chemicals and biological products. Included among these materials may be drugs, proteins and
enzymes for many uses. Producing chemical feedstocks, fuels and pharmaceuticals in this manner will be
cost effective and better for the environment. The researchers suggest that microorganisms retrieve from
extremely hot, cold or forbidding environments (extremozymes, such as are recovered at hot holes in the
ocean floor) may expand the range of temperatures and conditions used in manufacturing biotechnical
products. This may create opportunities for new, environmentally friendly bioprocesses while saving
time and energy.
Real-time Environmental Sensors ... By the use of yet-to-be-developed sensors, supermarkets could
detect the presence of bacteria and other dangerous pathogens in food. Workplace air quality could be
monitored to prevent "sick building syndrome." Other benefits that may result from monitoring in the
environment include control of airplane and other transportation environments, preventing infections in
hospitals and in municipal water supplies and in guarding against pathogens potentially used in
biological terrorism.
Enviro-manufacturing and Recycling ... Greatly enhanced recyclability of a whole range of products
may change the complexion of entire environmental protection in the future. Increased use of
biodegradable material in such things as plastics, paper, cars and computers will have an impact. Dry
cleaning with liquid carbon dioxide will minimize or eliminate this source of environmental pollution.
Recycling will become "second nature" to all of the citizens of the world, and recyclates will be a major
resource for future civilizations.
Lightweight Cars ... As the weight of automobiles is reduced by the use of advanced materials, the
family sedan will get at least 80 miles per gallon of gas, generate less pollution and use more recycled
materials. Lighter weight cars will be built with less steel and more lightweight aluminum, magnesium,
titanium and composites. Advanced metal forming techniques will provide precisely the strength needed
at every point. The 150 pounds of glass used in today's cars will be cut by a third or more by the use of a
composite sandwich of glass and plastic. Today's 100-pound air conditioners will weigh half as much,
particularly as glass is specially coated to reflect or absorb heat radiation.
While some of these concepts may sound far fetched, many of them already have a running start in
parent technology. Further details on the environmental technology forecast coming from the U.S.
Department of Energy can be obtained: Greg Koller at Pacific Northwest National Laboratory;
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