In a fast-evolving technological landscape, ignoring innovation could mean missing out on opportunities that will define the next decade. From healthcare advancements to energy storage breakthroughs and fully autonomous manufacturing, technologies at lower Technology Readiness Levels (TRLs) today have the potential to disrupt industries by 2030.
Frost & Sullivan’s recent TechVision webinar, “Future 18 Technologies™: Why Ignorance Isn’t Bliss – Emerging Technologies Unlocking Commercial Opportunities for the Next Decade,” provided a deep dive into the transformative technologies poised to reshape industries. Featuring industry experts and thought leaders, the session highlighted critical innovations, challenges, and actionable strategies for stakeholders to stay ahead in an ever-changing ecosystem.
The following Frost & Sullivan experts came together to share their perspectives:
- Ankit Shukla, Vice President, TechVision
- Ashish Kaul, Industry Analyst, TechVision
- Pankaj Gaur, Industry Analyst, TechVision
- Abhishek Paul Choudhury, Industry Analyst, TechVision
- Neeraj Jadhav, Senior Industry Analyst, TechVision
Gain valuable perspectives from these industry experts by clicking here to access the recorded session of the Webinar.
Patient-on-Chip Technology: Transforming Drug Development and Precision Medicine
Patient-on-Chip technology is redefining drug development by enabling the creation of miniaturized organ systems that replicate human physiology. This reduces reliance on animal models and addresses the inefficiencies of conventional R&D processes. By allowing thousands of experiments to run simultaneously, Patient-on-Chip significantly shortens the 10–15-year drug development timeline while cutting costs. Integration of AI/ML (machine learning) enhances predictive accuracy, enabling the identification of drug safety and efficacy before clinical trials. Furthermore, the use of iPSC (induced pluripotent stem cells) allows for patient-specific disease modeling, supporting the development of precision therapies tailored to individual physiology. Pharmaceutical companies adopting this technology can reduce drug failures, streamline R&D processes, and accelerate personalized healthcare solutions.
How is your organization leveraging patient-on-chip technology to shorten timelines and enable personalized healthcare breakthroughs?
“The key benefit of patient-on-chip technology is that it allows you to run thousands of experiments to demonstrate how a drug affects multiple organs at once, significantly reducing the time and cost involved in the traditional drug development process.” – Ashish Kaul, Industry Analyst, TechVision at Frost & Sullivan
Quantum Batteries: Revolutionizing Energy Storage Solutions
Quantum batteries, leveraging principles of quantum entanglement and super absorption, are set to revolutionize energy storage systems by exponentially increasing charging efficiency as battery size scales. Unlike traditional batteries, quantum batteries charge faster, offering a solution for rapid energy replenishment. Currently at TRL 2 (Technology Readiness Level 2), early applications will focus on low-power devices such as medical sensors, wearables, and electronics. Breakthroughs in graphene-based materials and advanced nanofabrication techniques will play a crucial role in addressing challenges related to stability and scalability. Quantum batteries hold the potential to power future electronics and healthcare systems sustainably while significantly improving energy efficiency.
Is your organization prepared to adopt quantum batteries to support next-generation energy storage requirements?
Super Catalysts: Driving Efficiency and Sustainability Across Industries
Super catalysts are pushing the boundaries of chemical processes by leveraging advanced materials like nanostructures, SACs (single-atom catalysts), and MOFs (metal-organic frameworks). These catalysts are driving faster, more energy-efficient reactions while minimizing side effects and operational costs. Their ability to enable carbon dioxide (CO₂) reduction into valuable compounds positions them as a cornerstone for sustainable industrial solutions. Industries like energy generation, pharmaceuticals, and environmental remediation stand to benefit significantly. However, adoption barriers such as reliance on rare materials, complex manufacturing processes, and scalability challenges require strategic collaboration between industry and academia. By fostering partnerships and investing in innovation, organizations can unlock the full potential of super catalysts to drive cost-effective operations.
What strategies is your organization implementing to scale super catalysts for industrial sustainability?
Integrated Diagnostics: Enabling Precision, Accuracy, and Public Health Monitoring
Integrated diagnostics is revolutionizing healthcare by unifying molecular tests, medical imaging, pathology, and clinical data to deliver precise, actionable insights. This technology reduces misdiagnosis risks by cross-validating diagnostic results and tracking disease progression in real time. Leveraging AI/ML (machine learning), integrated diagnostics facilitates precision medicine, enabling personalized therapies based on individual clinical and genomic profiles. Additionally, it supports public health monitoring by identifying disease trends to enable early interventions and preventive measures. Addressing challenges around data privacy and interoperability, solutions such as blockchain technology ensure secure and seamless integration of patient data. As a result, integrated diagnostics is enabling healthcare organizations to improve patient outcomes while transforming clinical trials and population health management.
How is your organization leveraging integrated diagnostics to enhance precision care and enable preventive healthcare initiatives?
Dark Factories: Redefining Smart Manufacturing with Full Automation
Dark factories represent the next phase of industrial manufacturing, achieving 95% to 100% automation through AI, IoT (Internet of Things), and 5G/6G connectivity. These autonomous facilities minimize human intervention, enabling consistent output, enhanced productivity, and significant cost reductions. By integrating robotics, industrial sensors, and additive/subtractive manufacturing, dark factories unlock opportunities for smarter, more sustainable production. Connectivity innovations like IoE (Internet of Everything) ensure seamless communication across systems, optimizing operational workflows. However, challenges such as high CapEx (capital expenditure), cybersecurity risks, and readiness for adoption require strategic collaboration between OEMs and technology providers. Dark factories hold immense potential for industries like automotive, consumer electronics, and industrial production, setting a new standard for scalable, efficient manufacturing.
Is your organization prepared to adopt dark factory solutions to achieve next-level operational efficiency and scalability?
“Dark factories are where the technology is probably ahead of the curve in terms of development; it’s just the deployment and the willingness to adopt 95% to 100% automation that is the key challenge here.” – Ankit Shukla, Vice President, TechVision at Frost & Sullivan
The Future 18 Technologies™—from patient-on-chip to dark factories and more—are set to reshape industries by 2030. Organizations that proactively invest, collaborate, and adapt these innovations will lead the way in driving growth. How will your organization harness these technologies to unlock new opportunities for the next decade?