IBM: Tech May Change Us

While predicting the future is a risky business, many technological advances envisioned long ago are becoming today’s realities.

IBM, in a document called “Next Five in Five,” identifies technology innovations that could change the way people work, live, and play.

The innovations chosen for the recently released fifth annual list are based on two criteria:

Major trends emerging in society and the marketplace; tech under development at IBM laboratories, and technologies that have the potential to make innovations possible.

Here’s what IBM’s Next Five in Five sees on the horizon.

Better Batteries and Power Use

Advances in transistor and battery technology will allow electronic devices to last about 10 times longer than today. In some cases, it might be possible to eliminate batteries.

IBM is developing batteries that use the air to react with energy-dense metal. If perfected, the result is a battery that is lightweight, powerful and rechargeable.

Another possibility, according to IBM, is the possibility of battery-free electronic devices capable of being charged using a technique called energy scavenging.

In this process, simple physical movement is used to charge the device. To accomplish this, the amount of energy required by each transistor is reduced.

To this end, IBM is developing III-V semiconducting nanowires to stop “leaking” in the transistor’s off-state.

Display in 3D

As 3D and halographic cameras get more sophisticated and miniaturized, it’s becoming possible for people to interact with other people and with data in entirely new ways.

This is being enabled, in part, through the use of “telepresence.’’

The continuing explosion in the number of Internet-connected devices will possibly jam networks. In five years, network providers will develop new technologies to deliver 3D and other services.

Networked Sensors

Sensors will be in a vast array of devices. These sensors will be continually interrogating the environment.

It will be possible to wirelessly collect this data and analyze the environment in real time and in ways not currently possible.

Smart Commuting

Commuters will be able to quickly access personalized recommendations to help them get them where they want to go in the fastest time possible, according to IBM.

Transportation agencies and city planners will be able to proactively design, manage and optimize transportation systems capable of better handling ever-increasing traffic flow.

This new capability will be based on more than just monitoring data collected from sensors in vehicles, roads, toll booths, bridges and intersections, and from traffic reports and weather conditions.

IBM is developing new mathematical models and predictive analytic technologies.

They will serve to analyze all possible scenarios that can affect commuters and enable the development of adaptive traffic systems.

Such systems will teach traveler patterns and behaviors, and provide them with greatly improved real time safety and route information.

Waste Heat Management

Technological innovations will enable waste heat, currently dumped by computers into the atmosphere, to serve useful purposes.

To accomplish this, IBM is developing a novel network of microfluidic capillaries that attaches directly to each processor. The capillaries bring water to within microns of a chip.

By having water flow close to a chip, heat is efficiently removed. This ensures the processor operating temperature remains below the allowed minimum.

The removed heat can consequently be used to heat a building. This technology also serves to reduce the carbon footprint of the computer.

What We See

WMB believes each of these technologies has enormous potential, and we’re anxious to see how each evolves into direct benefits or indirect advances.

Doubts persist about predictions? Consider the longevity of Moore’s Law, first put forth by Gordon Moore in 1965.

Moore, co-founder of Intel, noted the number of transistors per square inch on integrated circuits had doubled every year since the integrated circuit was invented.

He predicted this trend would continue indefinitely.

Though the pace has slowed a bit, data density continues to double about every 18 months – the current definition of Moore's Law.

Time will tell on IBM’s Next Five in Five.

 TechMan

Now Hiring ... The Real Deals

WMB knows how frustrating it is right now for people to find companies which are truly hiring, not just adding names to a database for possible future employment or filling temp staffing gaps.

We thought it helpful to pass along the names of companies adding to their employee rosters. Aol.com compiled this list of companies with the most openings over the past week, everything from sales positions to part-time jobs.

WMB hopes you (or someone you know) find this list useful. Perhaps it might lead to a key networking contact or a full-time employment offer. You just never know in today's economic roller-coaster. Good luck!

IBM

The company’s website says working at IBM provides opportunities you may not experience with any other employer. IBM says it gives you a chance to change the way the world works.

The company provides a chance to help the world learn, to make education more available, knowledge more attainable and information more accessible.

IBM claims employees have the chance to participate in R&D projects which speed technological and medical breakthroughs.

AT&T

AT&T has consistently provided innovative, reliable, and high-quality products and services, according to the company website. AT&T also claims the company provides excellent customer care.

The company says its mission is to connect people with the world.

They also claim they are fulfilling their vision by creating new solutions for consumers and businesses by driving innovation.

Kmart

Kmart is a member of the Sears Holdings Corp. family of companies. Kmart is a mass merchandising retailer which offers customers products through a portfolio of exclusive brands.

Examples of the brands include labels such as Craftsman, Kenmore, DieHard, Jaclyn Smith, Joe Boxer, Route 66 and Country Living.

The company claims to have over 1,300 stores with over 1,000 in-store pharmacies across 49 states, Guam, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands.

UPS

UPS says the company is the world’s largest delivery company and a leading provider of specialized transportation and logistics services.

The company claims it's continuing to develop frontiers of logistics, supply chain management, and e-commerce by combining the flows of goods, information, and funds.

Aflac

Aflac Inc. is a leading provider of insurance sold on a voluntary basis at the worksite in the United States and the largest foreign insurer in Japan, according to the company's website.

The company claims it insures more than 40 million people worldwide.

Aflac is the principal subsidiary of Aflac Inc., an international holding company based in Georgia.

UHS – Edinburg Regional Medical Center

Edinburg, established in 1997, is constantly evolving to meet a growing region’s need for quality health care, according to the company's website. The company says it combines advanced technologies with the utmost concern for patient care and comfort.

Edinburg, located in Texas, also says it's an acute care hospital which is fully equipped and technologically advanced. They also claim they are small enough for individual attention and large enough to provide state-of-the-art care.

Sony Electronics

Sony’s website claims the company electrifies the senses through music, video, photos, laughter and sheer emotion.

The company also claims employees feel excitement because they work for the best brand in the world. Sony says it has nearly 60 years of entertainment history.

Valvoline

Valvoline, a division of Ashland Inc., serves more than 100 countries worldwide. The company says it produces quality branded automotive and industrial products and services.

Products include automotive lubricants, transmission fluids, gear oils, hydraulic lubricants, automotive chemicals, specialty products, greases and cooling system products.

The company also claims it offers Eagle One car care products for automotive cleaning and maintenance, and operates Valvoline Instant Oil Change, the second largest quick-lube chain in the United States.

General Dynamics

General Dynamics is a Fortune 100 company headquartered in Falls Church, Va. The company employs about 92,300 people worldwide.

The company is a market leader in business aviation; land and expeditionary combat systems, armaments and munitions; shipbuilding and marine systems; and information systems and technologies.

CarMax

CarMax is in the used car business. It opened its first store in Richmond, Va., in 1933, according to the company website.

CarMax now has 100 dealer stores across the country and has sold over 2 million used cars.

This post is by TechMan, WMB co-author who blogs about trends, issues and ideas affecting business, industry, technology and consumers. If you like this post, please share it!