Policy Horizons Canada worked with futurist and data visualizer Michell Zappa of Envisioning to produce a report called MetaScan 3: Emerging Technologies and accompanying infographics. We are reproducing the summary for emerging nano technologies and materials science.

Erlend Davidson (Thomas Young Centre, London)/UCL Mathematical and Physical Sciences

Graphene.

We have included predictions based on consultation with experts of when each technology will be scientifically viable (the kind of stuff that Google, governments, and universities develop), mainstream (when VCs and startups widely invest in it), and financially viable (when the technology is generally available on Kickstarter).

Superomniphobic materials: Inspired by water bugs that float on liquid surfaces, these materials repel both oily and watery fluids.

Scientifically viable today; mainstream and financially viable in 2015.

Auxetic materials: When stretched, auxetic materials become thicker perpendicular to the applied force. This occurs due to their hinge-like structures, which flex when stretched. Auxetics may be useful in applications such as body armor, packing material, knee and elbow pads, robust shock absorbing material, and sponge mops.

Scientifically viable in 2016; mainstream and financially viable in 2017.

TUHH

Aerographite, the lightest material in the world.

Link:

13 Emerging Nanotechnologies And Materials That Will Change The World