Key Enabling Technologies
Advanced Materials
Advanced materials have mechanical, physical and functional properties that are defining for (new and revolutionary) adaptations and for the functionality of products. Advanced materials vary (greatly) in scale, from nano- and micro-scale to real objects around us. From structures of the smallest scale, these mechanical, physical and functional characteristics of materials are formed. This way, additives with specific properties can be added to materials, such as self-cleaning ability. Synthesis and characterisation techniques are essential to the manufacturing of advanced materials. Material Science & Engineering is concerned with the fabrication, synthesis and active modification of materials. A completely new method to design materials takes a materials by design approach by which (advanced) computational methods are introduced, on the basis of desired properties, to design new materials.
Key Emerging Technologies:
- Energy materials
- Optical, electronic, magnetic and nanomechanical materials
- Meta materials
- Soft/bio materials
- Thin films and coatings
- Construction and structural materials
- Smart materials
Nanotechnology
Nanotechnology works with phenomena on the nanoscale, i.e. about 1 to 100 nanometers and with high precision. Nanotechnology encompasses the imaging, modelling, measurement, design, characterisation, manufacturing, and application of structures, devices, and systems through controlled manipulation of size and shape at the nanometer scale (atomic, molecular, and macromolecular scale) that govern structures, devices, and systems with new and superior characteristics. Nanotechnology enables many other technologies and there is clear common ground with other key enabling technologies through integrative applications.
Key Emerging Technologies:
- Nanomanufacturing
- Nanomaterials
- Functional devices and structures (on nanoscale)
- Micro- and nanofluidics
- Nanobiotechnology / Bionanotechnology
Chemical technologies
Chemical technologies are used in the conversion processes of raw materials to products. The functionality of products mainly arise from structure and composition. Chemical technologies enable the production of safe and sustainable products, through design, operation, analysis and optimisation, to virtually all end markets.
Key Emerging Technologies:
- (Bio)Process technology, including process intensification
- (Advanced) Reactor engineering
- Separation technology
- Catalysis
- Analytical technologies
- Electricity-driven chemical reaction technologies
Life Science and biotechnologies
Life sciences focus on the study of organisms (animals, plants, humans, microbes, etc), their components (tissues, cells, molecules such as DNA, RNA and metabolites) and their relation to their living environment. Biotechnology evolves and uses knowledge and tools from the life sciences for practical goals in industry (white biotech), agriculture and food (green biotech), health (medical/red biotech) and for marine and environmental applications (blue biotech). For all these applications, the key is often the interaction between organisms and the outside world in ecosystems (i.e. microbiomes and exposomes in the ground, water and atmosphere) and the resulting impacts on macro- and system levels.
Key Emerging Technologies:
- Biomolecular and cell technologies
- Biosystems and organoids
- Biomanufacturing and bioprocessing
- Bio-informatics
Photonics and optical technologies
Photonics and optical technologies encompass technologies that focus on generating, transporting, detecting and manipulating visible light waves and light particles (photons). Photons and can be generated, manipulated, transported and utilised for distinct purposes in different forms (ie. polarisation and coherence) and at different wavelengths (ie. colours). For instance, think of photonic circuits, LEDs, lasers, or the conversion of photons into electrical energy. The value of photonics often lies in collaboration with electronics, computational algorithms and technological platforms.
Key Emerging Technologies:
- Photovoltaics
- Optical systems and Integrated photonics
- Photonic/Optical detection and processing
- Photon generation technologies
Digital and Information technologies
Digital and Information technologies is a collective term for all data- and information-driven technologies. The key enabling technologies are concerned with the potential handling procedures: analysing, generating, saving, modifying, exchanging, securing and interacting with data and information. When it comes to dealing with information, the automation and simulation of data is possible, as is imitating human behaviour. Digital technologies are ‘general purpose technologies’, ensuring connections on various levels and for the integration of different disciplines and sectors. Sovereignty, sustainability and the role of humans play an increasingly central role.
Key Emerging Technologies:
- Artificial intelligence
- Data science, data analytics and data spaces
- Cyber security technologies
- Software technologies and computing
- Digital Connectivity Technologies
- Digital Twinning and Immersive technologies
- Neuromorphic technologies
Quantum technologies
Quantum technologies utilise the dual nature of the smallest particles known to mankind, such as photons and electrons, as well as comparable systems exhibiting quantum properties. These systems can assume pure quantum states. The smallest particles exhibit the non-local behaviour, and quantum states can be entangled. Consequently, this opens the way to the quantum computer (with associated quantum software), quantum communication and quantum sensing. A quantum bit (unit of digital information) can be 0 and 1 at the same time. This means calculations can be performed in a different way, enabling the findings of solutions for complex issues. Examples include searching for similarities between large data sets as well as building up and optimising complex models. Quantum technologies are opening up the way to a new generation of sensors and safer communication methods over longer distances can be realised too. The next step will be to establish hybrid forms within which the quantum network is intertwined with traditional networks.
Key Emerging Technologies:
- Quantum computing
- Quantum communication
- Quantum sensing
Engineering and fabrication technologies
Engineering and fabrication technologies refer to advanced design and production technologies that focus on the improvement of products and/or production processes. They encompass a wide range of technologies that address the development, qualification and validation of advanced production processes, machines and equipment and the (digital) monitoring and control of these processes through the use of sensors, digital technologies and other equipment. The design aspect (Design & Engineering) refers to systems engineering, imaging technologies, mechatronics and optomechatronics, sensor and actuator technology and microelectronics. The production aspect (including service and maintenance) refers to additive manufacturing, digital manufacturing technologies and robotics.
Key Emerging Technologies:
- Sensor and actuator technologies
- Imaging technologies
- Mechatronics and opto-mechatronics
- Additive manufacturing
- Robotics
- Digital manufacturing technologies
- Micro electronics
- Systems engineering
Get in touch
-
Innovatie Attaché Netwerk
-
Embassy of the Netherlands in Israel, Economic Department
-
14 Abba Hillel Street, Ramat Gan 5250607