Wednesday, November 20, 2013

End Of Semester Review

This final post will serve as a final review and summary of the content covered in the process of this course, which happens to be alot! Join me in taking a walk down memory lane :)

Session 1 (Guns, Germs and Steel)

In this session, we analysed parts of Guns, Germs and Steel and watched a short clip on it, which jerked me back to the very prominent question posed by Yali, a New Guinean politician, on why white men had the capacity to develop more cargo and introduce it to New Guinea, while the blacks were unable to emulate the act because they possessed so little cargo. This question on discrimination and inequality is one rooted in prehistoric times and one that is still omnipresent in the modern context, which provides a perfect lead-in to the need to assess the reasons behind it to seek greater understanding to a question that never seemed to find its full stop. 

Besides this interesting read, another very memorable line that I will soon find repeated constantly by our professor, to ensure that our concept of it is clear and that there are no misunderstandings involved, is the definition of "technology". Technology is the application of science and knowledge. It is "knowing what to do, and how to do it". This is one of the biggest takeaway messages conveyed to me in the course of the module because it has altered the myopic view I had of this term. Initially, I perceived technology to be associated only with the Internet and the various electronic devices we possess but with the guidance of our professor, I have grasped the abstract concept of technology, which is useful in the preceding sessions.

Session 2 (Technology, Society and Global Dominance & Technology and Human Development)

This session introduced us to the Organisational Behavioural Model, which separated the Rising Stars, Falling Stars and the Dominant Player into three categories. It reminds us of the need to be open to new ideas to constantly innovate and create new developments in order to remain relevant in a world with perpetually evolving dynamics. To adopt a closed mindset that is resistant to changes and improvisation is to set oneself on the track to becoming a Falling Star, one whose competitive advantage will soon erode with time and changing contexts. On the other hand, a Dominant Player is one that displays leadership over the field, influencing and determining the rules and order to be followed. This brings us to a key message that can be linked back to Yali's question. Stagnant societies that are unwilling to spearhead a change to their current practices and their present predicament will find themselves in a similar or deteriorating situation. The only way to fight inequality and discrimination is to prove you are worth otherwise. Dominance and prosperity does not come without constant changes, adaptations, improvements and innovations being made, and this is what most societies especially the backward and less developed ones need to realise in order to catch up with the global powers. 

The latter half of this session dwelled on the measurement of human development, a useful tool that provides us with the necessary yardsticks to evaluate the needs and shortcomings of a nation, which can help boost the country's standard of living (material and non-material) and aid in the achievement of world millennium goals drafted to increase the quality of life of every individual on this shared planet. 

Session 3 (Technology and Industrial Development & Technology and Innovation Management)

This lesson highlighted the importance of industrial development, alerting us to the need to ensure that our processes are relevant in the present and can remain sustainable in the future. In light of the damage done to Earth as a result of environmental degradation from the use of a traditional linear approach to industrialisation, an awareness of our surroundings has called upon a change, where a move towards a cyclical approach is advocated instead to create a more sustainable future for Earth's children. Within this approach, opportunities are created to constantly innovate with the combination of technology and ideas. 

The session also covered Technology and Innovation Management, where we were introduced to the Research-Development-Application (R-D-A) Translation Process, a three step process that is used to respond to market needs. In this way, ideas can be materialised with careful research and consistent development and be eventually sold as a new innovation in markets, corporations and enterprises, creating batches after batches of new products with greater diversity, productivity and efficiency.  The value creation pipeline is also an interesting and useful process that marries science and technology with business and marketing to bring about rapid growth to the economy of concern. 

Session 4 (Drivers of World Change & Change Management and Change Leadership

The key takeaway message in this session is that an active change needs to be generated towards achieving sustainable living. To do so, there needs to be a choice to change, willingness to act on this change and preparedness to execute the change. This can be achieved through the APDC cycle (Action -> Plan -> Do -> Change -> Action -> Plan…) that puts the plan into action, makes improvements and brings about transformations. In relation to Yali's question, while inequality cannot be completely eradicated in the near future especially with its roots tracing so far back and its current form entrenching deep within many societies, it is possible to change this step by step as a collective global effort. The lesson also enlightened us on the difference between evolutionary, revolutionary and disruptive change, where the distinction is crucial to ensure that the change is directed in the right direction.

Another vital message that I took home with me at the end of this session is the difference between leadership and management. A leader is one who is visionary, looks into the future and explores the unknown while leaving a trail behind for his/her followers. A manager on the other hand adopts the existing route embarked on by the leader to assist in overseeing and enforcing the rules among the members of the organisation. Again, back to Yali's question, to drive world change towards greater equality be it between races, genders or nationalities, leadership is required to construct the framework for change (the direction, timeline and agenda) while managers are instrumental in facilitating the change spearheaded by the leader. Hence, the importance of the cooperation between both actors should not be undermined when seeking to drive a global change for a cause such as the achievement of equality or other millennium goals like alleviating world poverty for example. 

Session 5 (ICT and World Change)

This session highlighted the impact of ICT in making a difference to the world. Indeed, we have witnessed how mass media, the Internet, social networking, crowd sourcing, gaming, wireless technologies, information systems, cloud computing and knowledge management have transformed the way we lead our lives. Many have grown so reliant on ICT that they are no longer masters of ICT but have instead allowed ICT to gain mastery over them, dictating their everyday lives. The world change is evident from the progress of an era of hunters to the domestication of animals and agriculture, before entering the phase of the Industrial Revolution and finally a transition into the ICT/Knowledge Revolution. While some (usually the more developed countries) have benefitted immensely from the Revolution and used it to harvest economic growth and national advancement, not all countries have successfully captured the potential of ICT. The presence of a digital divide remains and this is associated with Yali's question on inequality between the richer and poorer nations. As long as access to ICT and the benefits brought along with it is only limited to a select group of people with imposed barriers of entry to technology, ICT can never be used as a global driver of world change because of the fundamental inequality between those that wield the privilege to access it and those that lack it. Thus, a world change needs to be encouraged to bring ICT to every nation, developed or not. Following this, it is also important to ensure that knowledge on how to use the information acquired is disseminated before it can be applied effectively. Technology can be a very useful and beneficial tool in fulfilling our goals if it is used correctly, but it can also be harnessed to bring destruction and harm. Thus, it is prudent to remind ourselves that technology is not evil, but it is Man who manipulates and misuses it who is contemptible.

Session 6 (Biobusiness Revolution: Healthcare and Biomedical Sciences)

In this lesson, we learnt that within the bio-business landscape, there are summit, valley and cloud opportunities. The best approach highlighted by our professor is to embark on summit opportunities, which capture the value in existing propositions while simultaneously creating new areas of interest to develop into cloud opportunities. An example of an industry that capitalises on summit opportunities is the healthcare and biomedical sciences arena. The healthcare bio-medical sector involves the provision of biomedical processes and biomedical research. Healthcare is seen to be a growing sector in light of the rising affluence in many nations that have led to a spike in demand for higher quality and more frequent healthcare services. Nevertheless, the problem of inequality has greatly polarised the level of healthcare spending across different countries and this is alarming since healthcare is key in ensuring the sustainability of our population and hence, should be given as much emphasis in the less developed regions of the world as the richer nations. As a result, a change needs to be driven to increase the availability of healthcare and ensure that this basic requirement is brought to every person on this planet to make medicine, surgery and other forms of healthcare a necessity and not a privilege. 

Session 7 (Biobusiness Revolution: Agribiology, Environmental Life Sciences and Industrial Biotechnology)

This session raised my awareness to the opportunity cost between growing food and growing energy resources and thus, one area that I felt was worth exploring in relation to this topic is the development of new innovations to manage the tradeoff between food and energy and ensure that mankind can reap the benefits of both simultaneously without sacrificing on one while consuming another. Currently, agriculture accounts for 2.6 trillion of the global biobusiness market, a huge amount relative to the other biobusiness sectors. Biobusiness capitalises on both biological knowledge and expertise in technology to create higher quality food and sustainable food, resulting in a range of genetically modified products with leaps and bounds made in genetic engineering. Selective breeding has also enhanced the yield of agricultural crop, increasing their productivity more than ever before. Through the improvement of agricultural practices, Man has been able to harness technology to produce more food for a growing world population such that we are not only self-sufficient now but also able to sustain ourselves in the future. This brings renewed faith into the possibility of alleviating world hunger and achieving a key world millennium goal in the process. 

Biotechnology is the utilisation of bioprocesses and life systems to make a difference. While biotechnology only makes up a small portion of the global biobusiness market, it can definitely be seen as a summit opportunity in the biobusiness landscape because of its great potential in many areas. Biotechnology has diverse applications, be it marine biotechnology (GM salmon), food biotechnology (stem cells, production of burgers in labs), industrial biotechnology (biocatalysts such as enzymes that are used in washing machines) or environmental biotechnology (bioremediation that introduces nutrients to stimulate activity of existing bacteria or to create new bacteria that consumes waste materials so as to aid in waste management), revealing the potential of biotechnology in generating a change in the way we lead our lives.

We also discussed about food security, which refers to the availability of food and one's access to it. Everyone has the right to adequate food and bearing this in mind, we should aim to provide food to everyone on the planet so that the poor can be freed from problems like food shortages, malnutrition and starvation. This relates back to Yali's question on inequality and the need to address it to ensure that everyone has sufficient food supply, a basic entitlement that should be granted to every individual.

Session 8 (Energy and World Change)

In this session, it can be understood that sustainable energy sources need to be developed as alternatives to the finite and depleting supply of non-renewable fossil fuels. Apart from addressing environmental concerns (Carbon dioxide emissions as a result of the burning of fossil fuels), this shift aimed at driving world energy change can also ensure energy security. Energy security is achieved when we are equipped with sufficient energy resources such that different countries around the globe depend on different sources of energy (fossil fuels; renewables: hydro, solar; biomass) and as a collective effort, minimise the possibility of having to deal with the problem of excessive consumption of a certain source of energy that can lead to the shortage of it in meeting the growing demands and needs of Man. However, it is apt to recognise other factors such as price and cost that need to be taken into consideration since the effort towards world energy change can be severely crippled by this major determinant that influences human behaviour and prevent them from choosing more expensive but greener alternatives over its cheaper counterparts - fossil fuels (Exchanging long term sustainability for instant gratification).

Session 9 (Emerging and Future Technologies)

This lesson opened us up to interesting possibilities in the future with the help of more advanced technologies that make underwater living, driverless cars and jetpacks more than just a figment of human imagination. Indeed, we are living in exciting times with much to expect in the upcoming years as science and technology work their magic on us. This carries hope to finally addressing Yali's question on the presence of inequality and discrimination with the aid of these emerging and future technologies. This is because plastic electronics for example, can change the lives of communities in less developed countries since the lower cost of production involved in the creation of these plastic electronics will translate into higher affordability that allows everyone on the globe, rich or poor, to have access to the Internet with cheaper gadgets.  As a result, this can serve to address the essential problem of inequity between developed and less developed nations, allowing the poor to enjoy the same benefits (increased connectivity, improved knowledge etc.) as the rest, eliminating feelings of unfairness and discrimination.

However, it also occurred to me that futuristic technologies like robotics that are capable of creating drones for warfare and spy activities will lead to the unwanted exploitation and bullying of smaller nations, which can serve to aggravate inequality rather than alleviate it. Thus, this reinforces the potential for technology to become a double-edged sword and emphasizes the need to utilise it carefully to maximise its benefits and reduce the problems that can arise as a result of these emerging and future technologies.

Session 10 (Technology assessment and forecasting)

In this last session, we aimed to develop a framework for what comes next by assessing technologies and forecasting future developments. My key takeaway message is that it is important to look into the future to speculate what we need and prepare for it in order to create a sustainable future that is viable and desirable. Forecasting allows us to be prepared for the possibility of future disasters, in which case knowledge about the disaster and ways that we can undertake to manage it will be useful in ensuring the survival of mankind. An assessment of technologies on the other hand, allows us to be aware of past mistakes to ensure that we will not repeat them in the future. With the combination of both sets of skills, we are thus more able to postulate future trends, trace changes and assess the technologies required to cope with the upcoming challenges. This lesson provided a holistic wrap up to the extensive course content covered for the past 9 sessions, where the various foresight methodologies helped in evaluating our current actions and predicting their consequences to help build a collective and sustainable future for all. 


Last but not least, apart from regular sessions, student-initiated learning was also encouraged during the course of the module and I managed to gain much insights from the individual oral presentation and group presentation components, in which we were given the freedom to decide on the topic, scope and mode of our presentations. This made learning more interactive, fun and limitless. It has been a very fruitful three months and I thoroughly enjoyed myself in the process of learning about TWC. I am confident that the knowledge and skills imparted from this course will carry on with me as I proceed to undertake other undergraduate courses and pursue my career in the future. I am especially grateful to have had such supportive group mates and a dedicated professor, who have made this experience such a fulfilling and unforgettable one. Thank you prof and all for this memorable first semester, it has been an honour(: I would rate this course a 10/10.

Love,
Glenda

P.S This is the last post. I promise ;)

Session 12: Presentation Week (2)

This afternoon's session served as a continuation from last week's lesson and was again dedicated to group presentations. The lesson was especially memorable as it signalled the end of the module, reminding me of how quickly time flies especially when we are enjoying ourselves and benefitting from the course. From a student attending her first class of the semester, knowing almost no one from this pre-assigned class, I have made many good friends and brought home much insights by the end of the course. It has been a joy working with my group mates and after weeks of preparation and countless late nights spent discussing, compiling and refining, we finally completed our presentation today! The immense sense of satisfaction as we showcased our website to the class could not be better expressed from the smiles of relief on our faces as our presentation concluded the end of the lesson. Like the previous session, the efforts of my classmates were applause worthy and I really had fun in the experience of being both a presenter and an audience. Good job everyone for completing this module! We have worked hard :)

Presentation 1: Mind-controlled prosthetics
This group gave us an insight into a very useful technology, mind-controlled prosthetics, which is currently capitalised on to help the physically disabled with their daily activities. With this advanced technology that serves to replace a missing body part, the physically disabled are now able to enjoy greater mobility and convenience in activities that were a challenge to them previously as a result of their disabilities. In the field of sports for example, the physically disabled are now able to pursue their passion and even participate in the paralympics with the aid of these prosthetics. Notably, mind-controlled prosthetics has given its users the ability to control the movement of these artificial limbs simply with information from their nervous system and this has opened doors to new applications such as the possibility of a permanent cure for paralysis. It is heartwarming to witness how technology has been harvested in the right direction to provide utility and benefit to the less fortunate, giving us an optimistic view into the potential for the world to have greater equality. In conclusion, I felt that both the presentation and the website were holistic in providing us with more information on the development, the current applications, the implications and the future of mind-controlled prosthetics, where the full coverage of content has facilitated our learning process. Well done :)

Presentation 2: Transhumanism
The next group presented on transhumanism, which focused on the use of technology to benefit Man both physically and mentally by changing the biological aspect of our physical makeup. This is a very desirable technology as it allows us to potentially surpass fundamental human limitations and become a step closer to improving human condition. The group covered the various technologies in achieving transhumanism, some of which I found rather interesting. The exoskeleton, for example, struck me as a particularly useful technology. This mobility tool gives those that are wheelchair-bound the renewed faith in being able to stand up, walk and enjoy activities that were previously hindered by their disabilities. This technology slightly differs from the one introduced in the first presentation because the exo suit makes use of four electric motors in the hips, knees and back to create four moving components instead of just one seen in prosthetics. The group also introduced other technologies such as the flex-foot cheetah modelled after the leg of the fastest animal in the world, the cheetah, which is created for the purpose of addressing challenges faced by man in order to increase the quality of life. These new and improved innovations make the use of prosthetics seem clumsy and incompetent in a world where technology is constantly evolutionising to become more efficient and more productive, radically revolutionising the way we live. Overall, I found it an interesting presentation and I really appreciate the diverse range of examples given to explain the idea of transhumanism (Bionic eye, brain pacemaker, cochlear implants, robotic prosthetic arm etc.).

Presentation 3: Food Of The Future
This presentation started off with a comical skit to introduce the idea of genetically modified food and other ways to alleviate global poverty and starvation. It is interesting to see the different ways that biotechnology is currently being harnessed to provide solutions to the problem of world hunger. However, I feel that the effectiveness of these solutions are not guaranteed since there are other more pressing factors that need to be addressed in order to bring about a radical change to the issue of food shortage. One major factor includes the political stability of the country. Without political stability, changes to agriculture, food preservation, food distribution and other methods raised during the presentation might not be carried out successfully to create a significant impact on the people suffering from hunger, poverty, malnutrition and even starvation. Hence, I would think that these food alternatives are not tackling the root issue that has led to Yali's question of a racial inequality between the whites and the blacks with regards to the amount of "cargo" each possesses. Nevertheless, what the group has presented is a set of viable solutions that with proper guidance, leadership and the appropriate changes to the country's political and economic situation, can help to achieve the world millennium goal of alleviating world hunger.

Presentation 4: Sex Advertising
This group conveyed a fundamental message on how we should not abuse technology. The accessibility of technology to almost anyone of all ages makes it even more important that we do not use media and advertising to manipulate and taint the minds of children and young adults who are likely to absorb and emulate the acts depicted through advertisements. Responsible advertising should thus be practiced in consideration of how quickly and how widely the information released can be disseminated. Moreover, I felt that what the group highlighted on the effects of media defining both male and female's perceptions of what they should look like or what the opposite gender should look like is crucial as this is an issue that is currently taking a toll on society, creating generations of girls and boys who are excessively concerned with their appearance. Such advertisements that instill in its audience the image of a perfect body can lead to a series of problems including low self-esteem, depression, anorexia and bulimia, which needs to be managed. Thus, I felt that this has been a useful albeit somewhat explicit presentation.

Presentation 5: Virtual Reality
My group presented on virtual reality and covered the history, current developments, implications and future considerations of this topic. We really had fun creating the introduction video which illustrated the concept of a virtual world and the ability to interact with it. It was also interesting to find virtual reality applications so accessible to us such as the IKEA and LAYAR applications that can be downloaded easily into our smartphones at zero cost. The incorporation of virtual reality into our lives has brought about much value and utility by providing more information on the object of interest in real time, saving us the effort, time and money required to acquire the information otherwise. Nevertheless, our group also recognised the potential implications that can stem from the use of virtual reality, which drove us to research and include the various possible impacts (social and economic) within our website and our presentation. Lastly, we also took into account the future considerations of this application, which consists of Second Life and Google Glasses. We hope you have enjoyed and benefitted from our presentation as much as we have done in the process of completing this assignment(:

Overall, it was an interesting session with some eye-opening innovations introduced by the presenters. The effort and thought invested into the content and creativity of the presentation and the websites were also evident. I would rate this lesson a 9/10! Well done all :)
While this session marked the end of our learning journey in this course, the friendships forged, the lessons learnt and the knowledge received will be held dear to me. Thank you prof for leaving us with much insights from this module. It has been a fruitful and definitely memorable semester under your wing. Many thanks too to the classmates who partook in this journey with me! All of you have contributed one way or another to the fun we had in class, thanks for being such a joy to work with!(:

All the best,
Glenda

P.S This is not goodbye. Another post awaits (;

Thursday, November 14, 2013

Session 11: Presentation Week (1)

We have finally reached presentation week! I really looked forward to the presentations of the websites created by my fellow classmates and was nothing short of impressed by the effort that everyone has invested in our final group project for this module :)

Presentation 1: Futuristic Buildings
This group presented on the idea of futuristic buildings, introducing new concepts of living spaces such as underwater living with partially submerged homes. They brought in a model to illustrate the possibility of future homes, which I felt was interesting and eye-catching. I also appreciate the effort placed even in creating the small details of the model. Overall, I felt that the presentation was organised and holistic, covering areas such as sustainability, susceptibility, space, speed and design. Personally, having done a presentation on underwater living during session 9 and researched on the idea of futuristic homes, I found that this is a possibility that can very well become a reality in the future considering current phenomenons like climate change, rising sea levels, growing population and the shortage of land space. Hence, I felt that the topic of the presentation is rather relevant as means to forecasting the future. Good job!

Presentation 2: Clean Technology
This group introduced the various types of clean energy, giving us a very wholesome and informative presentation. It is evident that the group has invested much time and effort into research with their strength in content being displayed during the presentation, which I felt was worth being complimented considering our busy schedules. It was also interesting to see how the various countries, mentioned in the case studies provided by the group, made use of different sources of renewable energy to deviate from the unsustainable consumption of fossil fuels in catering to the growing needs of man. Considering the limited and irreplaceable supply of these natural and non-renewable resources, it is apt to turn to alternatives that are more sustainable and yet equally efficient. It is a change that needs to be propelled to ensure that we have sufficient energy to power our daily activities even in the long run. Thus, I felt that the choice of this topic is very suitable in addressing a pertinent problem that the world is facing today.

Presentation 3: Nanotechnology
This group's presentation on nanotechnology provided me with more in-depth knowledge that deepened my understanding of this field of technology. Nanotechnology has yielded much interest from researchers who see the potential in it to opening new doors and finding new approaches to solving problems that Man faces on a daily basis. It is mentioned during their presentation that nanotechnology will likely herald a significant impact in many areas by offering better-built, more durable, cleaner and safer products in applications that range from households to industrial purposes, health care, communications, transportation and agriculture. The extensive use of technology makes it a very important technology deserving of more attention, and I appreciate that the group has chosen this crucial topic for their presentation and their website to offer more insights into this intriguing yet pivotal technology.

It was a job well done by all three groups and I'm looking forward to the upcoming presentations next week! (though not looking forward to the potential competition since my group will also be presenting next week) This session was well-spent, allowing students to consolidate on their knowledge of the different types of technology while achieving an element of fun in an environment that encouraged learning, sharing and interaction. I enjoyed myself and will rate this lesson a 9/10!

Have a good week!
Glenda

Session 10

After a semester's worth of hard work, we have approached the final lesson aimed at covering the syllabus. The emphasis of this session was placed on assessing technologies and forecasting the future developments to develop a framework for understanding what comes next. My key takeaway message from the quotes given is that it is important to look into the future, speculating what we might need and preparing for it, in order to create a sustainable future that is viable and desirable. Forecasting also allows us to be prepared for the possibility of future disasters, in which case knowledge about the disaster and ways that we can undertake to manage it will be useful in ensuring the survival of mankind. An assessment of technologies on the other hand, allows us to be aware of past mistakes to ensure that we will not repeat them in the future. Thus, I felt that this lesson was meaningful in concluding our journey in learning about Technology and World Change. 

The lesson started with a video on "Mastering the Megatrends", which highlighted the two megatrends that will shape the future: Urbanisation and Demographic change (Surge in population growth). These phenomenons give rise to problems that require mankind to develop methods to address them. Some of the concerns raised in the video include the problem of scarce natural resources that underlines the importance of clean water. Siemens has been developing innovations to cope with this and make clean water available to all by searching for viable sources of water and purifying it. Another concern raised is the high demand for energy, which requires new technologies that are economical and environmentally friendly. In predicting consumer patterns, Siemens has constructed innovative highly effective power plant solutions and efficient mining methods to enable urgently required natural resources to be exploited. Similarly, increasing traffic congestion is another important consideration addressed in the video and forecasting has allowed mankind to develop intelligent control systems to ensure the smooth flow of traffic. Digital hospital that electronically records patient healthcare information help save valuable time, cut costs and increases efficiency as it reduces the workload of physicians, while technologies and systems that ensure fire safety, building security and monitor and control facilities can enhance the level of protection and control to satisfy man's basic need for security. Such innovations created as a result of technology assessment and forecasting helps increase the quality of life with forward looking solutions, demonstrating the importance of this framework in setting guidelines for actions that can significantly impact our future. 

The next video that we watched on "Future, Technology and the Next 50 years Megatrends" gave us an insight into the different technologies that will be implemented in the future, highlighting many interesting developments that we can expect to look forward to such as electronic books that we can interact with, higher speed computers with better performance and even the possibility of replacing computers with lighter and smaller communication devices that stores an almost infinite capacity of data through cloud computing, augmented reality that allows us to scan objects and find out more about them instantly and effortlessly, 3D entertainment that removes the need for control systems and allows the user to be the controller of the game with just their body movements, GPS system embedded inside shoes and even our bodies, cars able to communicate with each other and robots in the healthcare sector that can replace 20% of our tasks. All of these reflect the potential that technology carries in enhancing connectivity, mobility, productivity and efficiency. Awareness of current trends and developments are crucial in forming the basis for future innovations since it serves as a yardstick to predict what we might need or want in the upcoming years. Indeed, our professor is accurate in quoting that "we are living in exciting items!" With so much to expect from emerging and future technologies, technology assessment and forecasting have brought much anticipation for a better and more advanced world that is waiting for us to venture and seek out new possibilities. 

Another video showed to us during the course of the lesson that I felt was insightful was "Tracking the future - Global Trends", where the speaker highlighted major key trends that were foreseen to be extended into the future. This relates very closely to our topic on assessment and forecasting of technologies because it provided direction for exploration and innovation to occur. Some of the interesting observations that I noted from this clip can be summarised by the acronym "FUTURE".
F: Fast-moving world, Frugal world (As a result of economic crisis)
U: Urbanisation (Movement of huge numbers of people into cities)
T: Tribal (New tribes of groups of people who share new interests and commonalities are emerging. For example, the Internet community)
U: Universal (Constant change)
R: Radical change
E: Ethics (Ethics in business as we move out of economic crisis: Need for corporate social responsibility and transparency in business), Environmental concerns 
Considering that the implications of each trend is likely to have a significant impact on Man and the way we lead our lives, it is necessary that we keep track of them, evaluate the consequences and construct viable solutions to address the concerns. Nevertheless, while technology assessment and forecasting provides the framework to learn and expand on current developments by capitalising on opportunities created from unfulfilled desires and unmet needs, human motivation and commitment to act on these trends are equally or if not more important in leading to new innovations. 

A commonly used quote is that change is the new constant and I fully agree with it. To expect things to remain the same would be a myopic view to possess especially when Man's desires and needs are changing constantly and technologies are evolving to suit the new market demand each time. Thus, corporations that utilise technologies, information, methods and systems rooted in the past will merely capture valley opportunities, whereas those that look towards the future for cloud opportunities will ultimately be able to gain summit opportunites if the feasibility, functionality and utility of their innovations have been tested and proven. As a result, the capacity of strategic foresight should not be underestimated as it opens one up to opportunities for future growth, while postulating potential problems to prevent underpreparedness and chaotic situations with high costs attached to it, from happening. Think about this: In a world where information is available to everyone with the increasing connectivity and accessibility to a shared pool of resources, where will an individual, an institution or a political body's competitive advantage lie in? Most people are not aware or are not exposed to this notion but in fact, forecasting and the ability to come up with different and more accurate images of the future is the next frontier in planning, innovation and prevention against rude unexpected shocks  that can serve to throw us off balance and cause us to lose out. This is why it is important for us to know about technology assessment and forecasting, and put it to good use. 

This has been a very meaningful session, with content that nicely wrapped up the holistic course structure. I truly enjoyed today's lesson and would rate it a 10/10.

Cheers,
Glenda

Wednesday, November 13, 2013

Session 9

This session started with a quote from George Bernard Shaw, which I thought was insightful in highlighting the importance of changing our mindsets from one that only sees and questions things that are already in existence to one that recognises potential possibilities and act upon them. This is extremely relatable to the topic of concern today on "Emerging and Future Technologies" since new innovations can only be brought about when people are able to think in the direction of the future and are willing to challenge the impossible to create new discoveries. While many pursue wisdom in a knowledge-based economy, I agree with Einstein's quote that forward thinking is made possible with the help of a vivid imagination rather than the knowledge that we possess, since it allows us to extend beyond the realm of what he/she already knows to explore new grounds. In this way, we are able to innovate continuously and contribute to  sustainable and higher quality living instead of limiting ourselves to current developments. 

During the session, we were also introduced to claytronics, which is an abstract future concept that combines nanoscale robotics and computer science to create individual nanometer-scale computers called claytronic atoms that can interact with each other to form tangible 3D objects that a user can interact with. Often referred to as programmable matter, claytronics can be used for any purpose ranging from modelling to designing new structures, to changing the way we interact with each other. While this emerging technology is still undergoing research, I feel that it carries a great potential in bringing about a positive impact to many facets of our lives that include telecommunication, human-computer interfaces and entertainment. Another interesting video that we watched in class was on plastic electronics. This futuristic technology manages the problem of fragility, with benefits that include it being lightweight, flexible, convenient and have a lower cost of production that in turn translates to lower prices for consumers. As a result, communities in less developed countries are also able to afford these plastic electronics (eg. the possibility of a plastic iPad), enabling everyone around the globe to have access to the Internet, improving connectivity around the world. This also addresses an essential problem of inequity between developed and less developed nations, allowing the poor to enjoy the same benefits as the rest, eliminating feelings of unfairness and discrimination. 

The discussion on the drivers of emerging and future technologies was especially insightful because it opened me up to the different motivations driving Man's desire to invest in new ventures, even when the possibility of success is uncertain. Listed below are some of these reasons. 
1. Unmet market opportunity: Unmet market opportunities are things that we need but are not achieved such as a flu vaccine, which can serve to drive emerging and future technologies as means to satisfy the demands of consumers.
2. Growing body of scientific and technological know-how: The accumulation of knowledge equips us with the sufficient technology and information needed to address the problems that man might face by creating fertile grounds to develop technologies that were previously inconceivable. Often, these technologies can generate needs that consumers did not know they have.
3. Supply-induced demand: This happens when people do not realise that they desire or need these technologies until the good is produced.
4. Mass media and advertisement: Aggressive advertising can lead to increased peer pressure, which drives the need to possess the technology.
5. Confluence of the 4 "smarts": The convergence of smart money, smart people, smart ideas and smart alliances/partnership provide the fertile ground for the development of emerging and future technologies. Smart money especially, which refers to money that is invested very early in the technology to bring it to the next stage, is usually the major stumbling block since people typically invest after the technology is confirmed to be secure and stable and not at the initial stages where the risks involved are very high.

"If you can imagine it, you can create it".  Our professor showed us an example of  how desire and commitment can translate one's dreams and imagination into reality with the video of the "perfect woman". This "perfect woman" is an android created to fulfill tasks such as household chores. While this might be a useful and an undoubtedly innovative creation, there are ethical implications associated with this technology such as the possibility of projecting stereotypes on women that to be "perfect", they had to be able to carry out tasks like the female robot constructed. Similarly, it can pressurise females into thinking that they have to develop a physique similar to the "perfect woman" assembled by AI Robotics, leading to unrealistic expectations and increased psychological stress for females. Similarly, in the video on augmented reality, it is explained that with this emerging technology, we can now gain access to more information about our surroundings by simply pointing our smart phones' camera at the object and the software downloaded will retrieve data about it from the internet. While this technology makes reality richer and more interesting, bringing convenience and utility of having a pool of information right at our fingertips, such futuristic technology carries with it risks like the issue of privacy and even raises concerns on terrorism. Thus, the key takeaway message here is that albeit the functionalities and the benefits of emerging and future technologies, there are other aspects that need to be factored in such as adverse ethical, social, political, environmental and economic impacts before these technologies can be effectively harnessed to improve the quality of life for man.

Some interesting new and emerging technologies include:
Biotechnology: The use of living systems and organisms to develop or make useful products, where some of its applications include health care (medical), agriculture (crop production), industrial (non-food uses of crop and other products to create biodegradable plastics, vegetable oil and biofuels) and environmental uses.
Robotics: The branch of technology that deals with the design, construction, operation, and application of robots, as well as computer systems for their control, sensory feedback and information processing. Although robotics is still rudimentary now but we will have different robotics in the future to make our lives easier with robotics engineers designing robots, maintaining them and developing new applications for them and conducting research to expand the potential of robotics. For example, robots have become a popular educational tool and robotics are also an essential component in many modern manufacturing environments.
Nanotechnology: This deals with the manipulation of matter on an atomic and molecular scale. According to our professor, this is the technology of small things, which has applications in many areas that include nanomedicine, nanobiotechnology, green nanotechnology, industrial and energy nanotechnology. It was interesting to find out that nanotechnology has been used in sunblock and to create stronger cable fibers, illustrating the importance of nanotechnology in the basic details of our daily lives. However, this emerging technology has its fair share of implications, where an area of concern includes the effect that industrial-scale manufacturing and the use of nanomaterials would have on human health and the environment. For example, exposure to nanoparticles may have unintended consequences. Researchers have discovered that bacteriostatic silver nanoparticles used in socks to reduce foot odour are being released in the wash, where these particles will be flushed into the waste water stream and lead to the destruction of bacteria, which are critical components of natural ecosystems, farms and waste treatment processes. For these reasons, some groups advocate that nanotechnology be regulated by governments while others counter that overregulation would stifle scientific research and the development of beneficial innovations.

Hence, it can be concluded that while emerging and future technologies herald an era that is filled with surprises that can potentially be extremely beneficial to society, we should consider the potential implications that can arise as a result of the introduction and implementation of the technology in order to maximise its benefits and reduce the risks involved. Nevertheless, it is important to keep an open mind to new ideas and continuously innovate in order to promote the progress of cloud opportunities to summit opportunities.

Overall, I found the lesson interesting and insightful. I would rate it a 9/10. 

Have a good week!
Glenda

Tuesday, November 12, 2013

Session 8

Returning from recess week, we were introduced to a new topic on Energy and World Change. It was a rude shock to find out that our nation consumes so much energy such that if every country uses the same amount as we do, the world's oil reserves will be depleted within 9 years. This alarmingly fast pace that we are exhausting our scarce natural resources really draws our attention to the need for a change in our lifestyles and our practices to ensure sustainable living for the future. It is a warning to us that our diet of fossil fuel and other irreplaceable natural resources cannot be protracted into the long run and thus, it is timely to shape alternatives that enable mankind to divert their reliance on unsustainable resources to environmentally sound ones. The video that was showed to us in class, titled "Animation: Climate change, energy & action", brings out the essence of the action plan that we need to follow to create a world change towards a cleaner and greener future. My key takeaway message from this video is that new habits, new technologies and new ideas have to be developed to address pressing issues that are plaguing our contemporary society such as the problem of global warming due to excessive burning of fossil fuels to serve the growing demands of Man. Since Man is the root cause for the damage done to Earth, it is only right that we take the initiative to fix it. Hence, we have to be prepared to be at the forefront to lead and accept changes so as to deviate from old trajectories and retool for a new economy. 

This brings us to the drivers of global energy change. A driver can be defined as a catalyst and some of these identified drivers include the rising energy consumption of countries. For example, although China currently consumes one quarter the amount of oil compared to the US, it is predicted that China will soon face a phenomenon of rising energy consumption where its oil consumption will climb steadily and eventually exceed that of the US, totalling up to four times that of US oil consumption. This projection reflects a huge jump in the levels of energy consumption in the future and reminds us of the urgency to source for ways to reduce the harm inflicted on the environment. Some countries have succeeded in doing so. Brazil is a prominent example of how countries can learn to better manage their use of natural resources by tapping on innovative and sustainable methods to direct a shift from dependency on fossil fuel based resources. Brazil is seen as the leader of green technology with its move to harness biofuels as a solution to address the country's lack of petroleum resources. Turning to agriculture as a more sustainable alternative, Brazil grew sugar cane that was capable of producing alcohol. As a result, Brazil successfully reequipped vehicles to function on alcohol. New technologies have been introduced to increase the efficiency of energy utilisation and prevent the unnecessary wastage of energy,  electric lights are banned in Europe to be replaced by incandescent lamps that produces the same lumens of light with lower energy consumption and can last longer. Such energy conservation technologies are also examples of drivers of global energy change. However, the effectiveness of these drivers in creating an actual impact on Man's energy consumption patterns are still dependent on other factors such as price and cost, which is a major determinant in influencing human behaviour. Since fossil fuels are cheaper than renewables, mankind might be unwilling to change to more renewable energy sources due to the insufficient realisation that the cheaper price tag attached to fossil fuels is in fact an unsustainable and underestimated one since the price does not reflect the negative externalities involved that can amount to a very expensive cost should it be taken into account. Moreover, opportunity cost associated with the burning of fossil fuels for the generation of energy when fossil fuels can be better made use in other areas. 

From previous sessions, we learnt that food security ensures that even in times of famine, there is still sufficient food to feed everyone. Similarly, there should be energy security, where we must be equipped with sufficient energy resources with different countries around the globe depending on different sources of energy (fossil fuels; renewables: hydro, solar; biomass) so that we would not have to face with the problem of excessive consumption of a certain source of energy that can lead to the shortage of it in meeting the demands and needs of man. In the early ages, biomass in the form of coal and firewood is commonly used before the discovery of petroleum and recent trends have noted the shift back to the employment of biomass as an alternative energy source to the burning of fossil fuels as mankind start to realise the need to search for renewable energy sources. For less developed countries, biomass is the primary source of of energy for them, where crop residue and animal excrement are used. Energy security is a key consideration in this topic on Energy and World Change and should be taken seriously to ensure the sustainability of our energy resources especially as we are living in a technologically-advanced world that requires large amounts of energy to power the various modern devices and technologies harnessed in the various industries. Notably, global energy consumption has increased with the growing population, rising affluence, transportation and improvements made in science and technology that has led to the development of new innovations. This is reflected in the increase in the consumption of oil, nuclear energy, and coal recorded in the 2010 statistical review of world energy. While each region has different energy utilisation patterns, oil remains the world's dominant fuel and taking into consideration the increased global energy consumption, it is likely that the world's supply of fossil fuels will be used up in the near future when these non-renewable resources are constantly harnessed to produce the oil that we require. A quick food for thought here would be whether man can cope with the loss of their principal source of fuel in the event that we do not shift our reliance to alternative energy sources in time before the global supply of fossil fuel runs out? 

Another key consideration of energy and world change highlighted is the use of energy as a source of national income. For instance, 90% of Nigeria's economy is dependent on petroleum and so is the Middle East (e.g. Qatar, Omar) but in light of the depleting fossil fuel resources, these countries have also realised that the supply of petroleum cannot last forever and to prevent the country from losing their primary source of income that can lead to severe economic downturn for the country and the integrated global economy, these oil-rich countries are seeking to diversify their economies by going through massive industrialisation processes to escape from potential oil trap. Nevertheless, there are countries such as Nigeria who remain adamant about the situation and continue to solely exploit their oil resources in order to generate massive and quick profits. The key takeaway message here is that countries should not adopt a myopic view towards the issue of energy consumption and seek instant gratification without considering long-term perspectives such as the impact of their prolonged and extensive use of fossil fuels on the availability of resources in the future and also on the environment especially as the burning of fossil fuels can lead to the emission of huge amounts of carbon dioxide that contributes to global warming. It is apt to recognise that with globalisation, the selfish actions of a country is likely to affect the world as a whole. Thus, every country has a part to play in driving global energy change to ensure sustainability for everyone. 

In drawing comparisons between biomass, wind and photovoltaics, biomass is perceived to have the lowest utility and thus, researchers should look into wind (capable of capturing 50 Gwh of energy, 25 times more than that of biomass) and photovoltaics (generates 170 Gwh) as solutions to global energy change. However, initiatives to move in this direction are still lacking, which can cripple our progress in searching for better alternatives if we continue to harness ineffective strategies. As a result, what the world needs are leaders who are willing to invest in the future and propel a change in the right direction. Surprisingly, the country that is contributing the most to clean energy investment is not USA but China instead, which indicates their realisation that they can no longer depend on coal and are thus investing in new and clean technology. This is a positive sign that reflects countries' acknowledgement of the need to drive a global energy change and also their willingness to change status quo and pursue better alternatives. Similarly, the United Kingdom and Germany are also becoming aware of the direction that the future is going to head and are acting on it. 

The saying by our professor that "technology is easy but people are hard" provides an insight into the current situation, where it is indeed difficult to get people to change their habits. Moreover, external instruments such as economic policies (subsidies) to encourage people to adopt the strategy are required to implement the change. Similarly, other factors also need to be taken into account like the availability of more renewables in order for a constructive change to be carried out. Indeed, the process is a challenging one but it will be worthwhile considering the impact on sustainability, environment etc. Nevertheless, it is important to incentivise people to move towards cleaner and greener options. For example, while India did innovate in the right direction and produced its first electric car, REVA, it is an expensive technology that most are unwilling to invest in especially when the use of petroleum fueled cars are cheaper. Thus, it is essential that people are given the motivation to adopt these cleaner and greener alternatives to harvest global effort in driving global energy change.

Overall, I would rate this lesson a 9/10. It was a very motivational and informative session, glad to be back in class!

Cheers,
Glenda

Wednesday, November 6, 2013

Final Topical Review Paper


LASER: Its Prevalence and Prominence[1]

Glenda Goh Zhi Yan (glenda.goh.2013@economics.smu.edu.sg), Year 1 student, Bachelor of Science (Economics), Singapore Management University.

Executive Summary
Light Amplification by Stimulated Emission of Radiation (LASER) is a device that is capable of generating an intense beam of coherent monochromatic light that can travel over large distances in a specific direction without dispersing (Dasgupta, 2002). Laser light is produced through the process of stimulated emission, where photons are released from excited atoms or molecules and undergo pumping such that energy is introduced into the laser cavity to produce an electromagnetic field. Electromagnetic waves reflect back and forth between the mirrors inside the laser cavity, stimulating further emission of photons with the same phase and frequency that eventually results in an abrupt burst of coherent radiation when the atoms are discharged in a rapid chain reaction (Rouse, 2005).
The prevalence of laser in our contemporary society is characterized by its widespread presence across various industries while its prominence is seen in its increasing importance as a tool harnessed within these different sectors. The context for the prevalence and prominence of laser could be rooted in the discovery of its unique properties that has allowed it to reach exceptional precision and power (Bhawalkar, n.d.), making it immensely valuable and unparalleled in its uses. In addition, the change in consumer taste and preference with the evolving world dynamics has also created an unprecedented growth in the demand for laser.
In this paper, this author will explore the historical rise of laser, its current developments and the resultant implications of laser that includes the risks involved in utilizing this technology. The discussion also encompasses the future considerations in employing laser technology as a solution to the problems faced by mankind or as a tool to enhance the quality of life, where the paper will aim to deal with the management of risks and fears highlighted and predict the potential areas of advancements in the uses of laser that provides for the eventual sustainability of this technology.

1.        Introduction
Laser has assumed a ubiquitous role in modern civilization, dictating our present and shaping our future with its vast applications in the many sectors that make up today’s diverse society. Growing demands coupled with advancements in science and technology has culminated in the extensive development of lasers since the invention of its predecessor, maser, in the 1950s. Currently, there are more than 10,000 different types of lasers, each carrying a different promise in improving the quality of life for mankind. In light of present trends that point towards the popularity of laser as a solution to the many challenges we face and its expansion into more industries than we thought possible, there is a need to learn more about this technology. Moreover, the likelihood of wielding this technology in the future is also highly probable as new uses of laser are being constantly discovered and capitalized on with the cutting edge technology that we now possess. Notably, the extraordinary properties exclusive to laser has given it an advantage over other innovations and made it both a precise and powerful weapon to have, with the increasing cost competitiveness adding viability to its value (Clark, n.d.). As the true potential of laser has yet to be maximized, it is apt to predict that this superior technology is here to stay, making this research extremely relevant. Although applications of laser are abound, what we have generated thus far is merely the tip of the iceberg and mankind has yet to see the best and most of this intriguing technology. However, owing to the innumerable types and uses of this versatile technology, it is wise to narrow down on the main areas that laser has been applied to. Hence, this author will be focusing her discussion on a few key areas to highlight the pivotal role of lasers in leading significant improvements made within these main sectors: medical, military and communications. The reason for choosing different sectors is to cover a diverse range of industries in order to better appreciate the prevalence of laser while the impetus behind the specific selection of major promising sectors is to demonstrate the prominent role that laser has played in leading to breakthroughs that have allowed the aforementioned industries to explore new frontiers.
This paper aims to explore the history of laser since its inception in the 20th century, tracing its evolution from a mere concept to the actualization of this innovation and finally, its rise in prominence and prevalence. Next, the paper examines the current situation that we are in, highlighting the contemporary developments in laser that have helped solve problems and even improved the quality of life for mankind. It also illuminates the way laser technology has revolutionized life on Earth, transforming the future of our health, our national security and our interaction with others. The paper also deals with the possible consequences and complications that can arise from the improper use of laser. This leads to the discussion of future considerations to manage these problems and address fears that man might bear towards this technology. In addition, the paper will underline the future of laser and predict the potential areas of growth that aims to evaluate the sustainability of this technology, in hope to bring to light the relevance and value of laser in the future. Essentially, will laser still be as prevalent and prominent in the future as it is now?

2.        Historical Perspectives
The birth of laser dates back to approximately a hundred years ago in 1917 when Albert Einstein conceptualized the process of “Stimulated Emission”, a fundamental principle that is later found to be behind the construction of the first laser. This theory proposes that the interaction between high-energy atomic molecules and a lower energy electromagnetic wave will lead to a transfer of energy between them that in turn, stimulates the creation of a photon with the same energy and frequency as the subsequent photons emitted. The resultant light is an intense and coherent beam, otherwise known as laser light (“Stimulated emission”, n.d.). Prior to the introduction of laser, the knowledge of stimulated emission based on Einstein’s predictions, first motivated the invention of MASER (Microwave Amplification by the Stimulated Emission of Radiation) in the early 1950s (Halliday & Resnick, 1986, as cited in “What is a maser?”, n.d.). Maser is a device that is capable of generating powerful beams of radiation at short wavelengths by producing coherent electromagnetic waves through amplification from stimulated emission. Pioneered by notable scientists like Charles Townes, the first maser, ammonia maser, was created in 1954. Demonstrations of the first maser at the Columbia University reflected its capability of producing around 10 nanowatts of power, radiating at a wavelength of slightly more than 1 centimeter (Rose, 2010). However, maser carried a limitation that crippled its progress. The wavelength of the light produced through this device was restricted to the microwave region of the electromagnetic spectrum, which meant that maser could only operate at microwave frequencies (“This Month in Physics History: Einstein predicts stimulated emission”, 2005). Moreover, masers required high magnetic fields and difficult cooling schemes to work, reducing its feasibility (Palmer, 2012). This drove the creation of laser that had shorter wavelengths and was able to generate more energy than its predecessor. In 1960, Theodore H. Maiman spearheaded the construction of the first laser, the ruby laser. It is termed as such because the ruby laser is made up of a ruby crystal. The chromium atoms forming the crystal give ruby its vibrant red colour and result in the light emitted from the laser to be of a similarly distinct deep red colour. As shown in Figure 1 below, the ruby laser contains a quartz flash tube, a cylindrical rod made up of ruby crystals and two mirrors at each end, one completely reflective and the other partially reflective. The flash tube is a high-intensity lamp spiraled around the ruby rod, where high-voltage electricity within the flash tube causes it to generate an intense burst of light that excites the atoms in the ruby crystal such that some of these atoms produce particles of light (photons) when they reach a high energy level. Through the process of stimulated emission, photons from one atom stimulate the emission of photons from other atoms and the light intensity is amplified. The mirrors placed at either end of the ruby rod reflect the photons back and forth, further stimulating the emission of photons and continuing the process of amplification. Eventually, the beam of light that leaves through the partially silvered mirror at one end of the ruby rod is known as laser light (“The first ruby laser”, n.d.).



Figure 1. Components of the first ruby laser
Reproduced from The First Ruby Laser. (n.d.)

The initial signs of laser’s growth to prominence can be traced back to early 1963 when Barron’s magazine estimated that the annual sales for the commercial laser market was likely to hit $1 million after lasers began appearing in the commercial market in 1961. This number is later seen to grow extensively as industry analysts predict that the global laser market will grow about 11 percent in 2010, with total revenue soaring to $5.9 billion (“History of the laser”, n.d.). Looking forward from historical perspectives, it is expected that the global market for lasers will grow further, reaching $8.8 billion in 2014 (“Recovery and new opportunities spur 9% growth in laser market”, n.d.). Although laser sales were punctuated by recession especially during the global economic recession of 2008/2009, the laser market has managed to recover its losses and record a steady upward growth by 2010. According to Overton, Anderson, Belforte and Hausken (2011), although the worldwide revenue earned from the laser market dropped by a shocking 23.5 percent from the $6.54 billion recorded in 2008, its recovery has been faster and more extensive than the predicted growth rate of 11 percent by 2010. In fact, laser sales increased by a sharp 27.3 percent from 2009 to 2010, neutralizing the 27 percent downturn witnessed during the recession and the demand for laser has been observed to be growing ever since.

3.        Current Situation
Since its invention, laser has evolved substantially, with modifications made and new variations introduced since the first working ruby laser paved the way for a growing laser market. Lasers are now perceived to be invaluable tools across a multitude of applications as a consequence of their extreme versatility, easily becoming one of the most significant innovations developed in the 20th century (“Lasers in our lives, 50 years of impact”, n.d.). The inception of laser technology with the introduction of the first laser can be described as “a solution looking for a problem” and this problem soon found grounds across a diverse range of sectors, including medicine, military and communications. Notably, a laser’s distinctive qualities such as its unique production of a narrow and intense beam of light that is able to travel in a specific direction without dispersing; has differentiated it from ordinary light and increased its value to the emerging demands and growing needs of the modern society (Garwin and Lincoln, 2003). As a result, laser has been successfully harnessed as an answer to challenges in the aforementioned sectors. Quoting Garwin and Lincoln (2003), “Today, lasers are everywhere: from research laboratories at the cutting edge of quantum physics to medical clinics, supermarket checkouts and the telephone network”. This is especially true as we enter a technological age, where turning to advanced tools for help to solve problems or improve the quality of life is becoming almost instinctive and this precisely explains the current situation where laser is seen to be both prevalent and prominent. Hence, this paper aims to examine the different types of laser used in the present day as means to solving problems faced in the three key sectors or as a revolutionary technology employed in these industries to improve the quality of mankind. The implications of laser on the health and safety of mankind will also be included in the discussion of the current situation within the laser market.
(i) Laser as it is today
In this paper, I will explore some of the current developments in laser that have been used to cater to the demands and needs of the identified industries in order to provide a better insight into the present situation within the laser market.
a)     Medicine

Laser medicine refers to the use of a variety of laser types in the process of a medical diagnosis, therapy or treatment (“Lasers in Medicine”, n.d.). Each laser operates within a very narrow wavelength range and emits a strong beam of coherent light that is capable of focusing on a very small point, enabling lasers to have a high power density aimed at a specific area (Harris, 2011). These special properties have given lasers an edge over sunlight or other light sources at targeting medical applications, which explains both the use of lasers in many areas of medical diagnosis and treatments (its prevalence), as well as the significant rise in the number of medical procedures carried out (its prominence) using this superior technology (“Advancements in Laser Technology Drives the Global Medical Laser Systems Market, According to a New Report by Global Industry Analysts, Inc.”, 2013).

Advancements in laser technology have generated a plethora of applications within the medical field, where some of the current developments include the use of laser in areas such as ophthalmology, oncology, cardiology, dermatology, dentistry, cosmetic surgery, diagnostics, gynecology, gastroenterology, and urology (“Advancements in Laser Technology Drives the Global Medical Laser Systems Market, According to a New Report by Global Industry Analysts, Inc.”, 2013). This report will serve to provide insights into the use of medical lasers in some of these areas highlighted.

1. Ophthalmology

Ophthalmology is the branch of medicine that is concerned with the study and treatment of disorders and diseases of the eye. Ophthalmology currently utilizes an imaging technique named Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT) that is able to give high-resolution, cross-sectional, and three-dimensional images of biological tissue in real time by making use of the coherent light emitted from a laser. This technology has allowed ophthalmologists to see a cross section of the cornea to diagnose retinal disease and glaucoma, demonstrating the importance of laser in medical applications. Beyond the use of OCT to diagnose problems related to our eyes, there has been much enthusiasm about its potential in other areas of medicine. According to Fujimoto, a co-inventor of this technology from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), one of the major areas that is emerging for OCT is fiber optic imaging of arteries, where the harnessing of OCT as an imaging tool for observing heart vessels will create a breakthrough in the medical field as it gives cardiologists the unprecedented ability to see what they are doing (Harris, 2011).

The application of laser in ophthalmology is not merely limited to the diagnosis of possible complications in our eyes but also extends to the treatment of these complications. Laser-Assisted In Situ Keratomileusis (LASIK) is an example of how laser has been employed to treat refractive errors, improve vision and reduce or eliminate the need for spectacles or contact lenses. This procedure makes use of a highly specialized laser, the excimer laser, to alter the shape of the cornea, which is the transparent front covering of the eye that is responsible for the refraction of light and accounts for approximately two-thirds of the eye’s total optical power (Randleman, n.d.). LASIK involves the use of an instrument called a microkeratome to create a thin and circular flap in the cornea. The surgeon then proceeds to pull back the hinged flap to remove the underlying corneal tissue with the use of an excimer laser that generates a cool ultraviolet light beam to precisely ablate tissue from the cornea to reshape it. The flap is then repositioned and laid back into place, covering the area where the corneal tissue was removed. When the cornea is reshaped in the right way, it is able to better focus light into the eye and onto the retina, providing clearer vision and correcting refractive errors such as myopia and astigmatism (“LASIK technology to boost eye refractive surgeries in Kenya”, 2013). LASIK has been proven to be safe and effective for majority of the patients, with many advantages such as its ability to accurately correct most levels of myopia (nearsightedness), hyperopia (farsightedness) and astigmatism, with a fast procedure that usually lasts only 5 to 10 minutes and is generally painless. Moreover, since a computer guides the laser, the results are precise and accurate, with most patients requiring only a single treatment to achieve the desired outcome (Randleman, n.d.). As of 2010, over 20 million people worldwide have undergone LASIK surgery, making it one of the most common surgeries performed today, a phenomenon that would not have been possible without laser technology (“LASIK & Laser Eye Surgery”, 2013). The extensive use of laser in medicine and surgery is no wonder laser has grown to become a technology both prominent and prevalent in the medical field as it is harnessed both as a solution to the various health complications we have and as a tool to improve the quality of life for mankind.

2. Oncology

Oncology is the branch of medicine that deals with cancer through the study and treatment of tumours. Lasers play a major role in the early detection of cancer. The infrared (IR) laser, for example, is capitalized on for its potential in infrared spectroscopy, which deals with the infrared region of the electromagnetic spectrum. This is light with longer wavelength and lower frequency than visible light. IR lasers will thus be useful since cancer and healthy tissue may have different transmissions within the infrared range. Currently, researchers are exploring the application of IR laser in measuring melanomas and detecting skin cancer, where early diagnosis is vital to the survival rates of patients. The IR laser is tested in Israel during its annual free public melanoma screenings and it was proven to have enabled physicians to differentiate between benign marks and actual melanoma in patients suspected to have skin cancer (Harris, 2011).

Apart from its uses in the diagnosis of cancer, lasers are also increasingly used in the treatment of different types of cancer. This is because lasers are less damaging to the human body compared to X-ray therapies and surgeries. Lasers are highly effective in curing illnesses related to gynecology, ear, nose, throat, tongue, palate and cheeks, being curative in the early stages of cancer and valuable in reducing tumours to facilitate surgical procedures during the later stages of cancer. Currently, a new type of cancer treatment known as photodynamic therapy (POT) is introduced into the study of oncology that combines laser with light-sensitive dye or hematoporphyrin derivative (HPD). HPD comes from cow’s blood and is injected into the body of patients such that the substance settles in the malignant tissues. A red light from the argon pumped dye laser is then focused onto the area and proceeds to activate HPD, where the energized substance will then release a highly reactive chemical that destroys the cancer cells. Reports have shown that POT is 80 to 90 percent successful in resulting in the total or almost total regression of tumours, remaining effective even if other forms of therapy are exhausted and have failed. This technique is highly selective for a diseased tissue and leaves healthy cells relatively untouched, reducing the risk of utilizing this laser technology. Indeed, the use of lasers to remove cancerous growths or tumours in the body has heralded an era of knifeless and bloodless surgery in some cases, illustrating the importance of laser in the medical sector as a tool harnessed to provide solutions to the health problems that mankind faces (“Laser and its applications”, n.d.).

b)     Military

Currently, laser is also used for military purposes, where its applications in establishing defense and security are far-reaching and covers land, water and air protection. This exemplifies the prevalence and prominence of laser in the modern context where advanced technology is consistently being put to use to either address challenges or increase the quality of life. This paper will examine some of the uses of laser to enhance water and air prowess for the military to provide its people with greater safety and surveillance.

1.     Water: Underwater laser

Lasers are currently used for underwater transmission of signals. Previously, submarines have to depend on sonar to locate enemy vessels and to steer clear of objects underwater, which has severe limitations since marine animals like whales and dolphins can send false signals that leads to the sonar system being inaccurate in alerting the navy. Moreover, the sonar system cannot provide a well-defined picture since the sonar beam is scattered and spread out underwater, with the salt in seawater further causing the sonar beam to bend and create a wrong illusion that the target is appearing when it is not in reality. One other key consequence of using sonar is that it exposes the position of the craft to the enemy, hindering the navy’s ability to remain concealed when conducting their operations. In light of these problems, a superior technology needs to be introduced and this comes in the form of laser technology. Lasers are currently employed for effective ranging (the process of determining the distance between one position to another position) and detection of underwater objects or potential enemy targets. This is achieved with the use of a frequency doubled Nd:YAG laser, an argon ion gas laser or a Raman shifted xenon chloride laser. A schematic diagram of an underwater ranging and viewing system is shown in Figure 2 below. It consists of a laser transmitter, which sends high power laser pulses of about 10-nanosecond duration to the target at the rate of 30 to 50 per second through a beam splitter. After going through a diffuser, laser light that is reflected by the beam splitter is made to fall on the photodiode in the ranging and display circuit to start the time interval counter. The reflected light from the target is collected by telescopic optics after an interference filter eliminates stray radiation. A range gating circuit helps to avoid unwanted echoes. The reflected pulse from the target is intensified by the image intensifier and the output is sent to the image orthicon, which generates an image of the object. In this way, both the range and the image of the target are obtained. With high power release of several megawatts, underwater ranging is possible up to 500 meters in clear water. This allows the military to navigate underwater more effectively (“Laser and its applications”, n.d.). 

Figure 2. Schematic diagram of underwater ranging
Reproduced from Laser and Its Applications. (n.d.)

Other military uses of laser include underwater communication between submarines, where lasers are employed to build a guidance system with absolute privacy for torpedoes (self-propelled underwater missiles) and other unmanned underwater vehicles so that they are able to navigate without direct or continuous human control. Recent underwater laser communication has been established via satellite, from ground-to-satellite and then to underwater stations (“Laser and its applications”, n.d.).

1.     Air: Air Reconnaissance

Lasers are also used as secretive illuminators for high precision aerial reconnaissance especially in the night. Previously, this was achieved using a camera equipped with magnetic flares or powerful strobe lights but the power supplies were simply too cumbersome. Lasers, with their useful properties of having a narrow and intense beam of light, are thus sought after as an alternative to earlier technologies. A helium-neon laser or a gallium arsenide semiconductor laser is employed to provide air reconnaissance. The schematic diagram of the laser camera is shown in Figure 3. According to the diagram, light from a laser beam travels downwards through a six-sided prism scanner towards the surface of the Earth, where the prism will scan through a selected angle that is right angle to the direction of the flight of the aircraft. Another beam of light passes through a Pockels cell modulator and when it emerges from the modulator, the beam strikes the prism scanner and is then reflected and recorded on the film. The laser beams reflected from the target area are picked up by a Schmidt lens, which projects the light onto a photodetector. The video output of the photodetector corresponds to the reflectivity of the observed terrain and thus, drives the modulator. The returned beam then modulates the original beam. The images generated are similar to those captured under daylight conditions. Hence, this allows the military to photograph the movements of their enemy targets even at night under high secrecy during the flight of the aircraft. Currently, this laser system has been tested and proven to be a success by the United States Air Force Tactical Air Reconnaissance Centre, demonstrating the importance of laser technology even as a tool to aid in the operations of the military (“Laser and its applications”, n.d.). 

Figure 3. Schematic diagram of a laser camera
Reproduced from Laser and Its Applications. (n.d.)

a)     Communications

The current use of laser as means to transmit signals and send data has revolutionized the way we communicate, replacing conventional methods that make use of radio frequencies. The finite nature of the radio spectrum coupled with the insatiable appetite for these radio waves has made laser an even more useful technology in a world that increasingly demands faster and higher quality communication. The military is one major contributor to this phenomenon, especially with the introduction of unmanned aerial vehicles that requires the ability to transmit live, streaming videos to military bases around the globe. Moreover, this demand is postulated to increase with the proliferation of higher resolution sensors that feed on more bandwidth. In addition, overcrowded radio airwaves are susceptible to interference or illegal operations by opponents to jam signals and intercept messages. On the other hand, laser communications do not make use of the radio spectrum, which eliminates the problems and limitations of using radio waves (Magnuson, 2013). A particular aspect of laser transmission that makes it preferable to the ordinary radio waves is the strict secrecy enabled by the narrow beam width of laser light. A high level of secrecy is preserved between two points because no unwanted reception outside the narrow rays emitted from the laser is able to pass through and hence, an interception-proof communication network can be brought to fruition (“Laser and its applications”, n.d.). This is especially useful in the area of communication for military purposes since adversaries have to first detect the narrow laser beam and then place an object in front of the ray in order to disrupt the transmission. Furthermore, to intercept the data sent, a receiver has to be positioned in the path of the laser beam, all of which are difficult to do especially without detection (Magnuson, 2013).  Moreover, a laser communication system is immune from jamming and from interference by spurious radio noise, which makes it an even more effective technology in facilitating communication (“Laser and its applications”, n.d.).

Laser communication can also be harnessed for space purposes. While radio-based space communications are used typically, current advancements in laser technology can revolutionize the way we send and receive signals, video, images and other data since lasers are able to transmit data at a speed 10 to 100 times more efficiently than radio frequencies while consuming conspicuously lesser power. In addition, the shorter wavelength of lasers ensures that energy is not unnecessarily dispersed as the light travels through space. A conventional Ka-band (A component of the K band within the microwave band under the electromagnetic spectrum) signal from Mars, for example, is dispersed excessively such that the diameter of the energy when Earth receives it is of a magnitude greater than the Earth’s diameter. A signal sent by a laser however, disperses over a smaller area (the distance across a small part of America) and thus, wastes less energy. Moreover, shorter wavelengths allow for significantly more bandwidth compared to radio frequencies, where radio waves have to fight over a limited and finite bandwidth. Currently, invisible and near-infrared lasers are tested for the purpose of sending data to and from the satellite and the NASA team is working towards developing a stable, efficient and cost-effective optical laser communication technology (“Technology Demonstration Missions: Laser Communications Relay Demonstration (LCRD)”, 2013).

(ii) Laser and its implications
While laser has brought about a string of benefits for mankind, it would be over-ambitious to assume that it is without its shortcomings. Laser technology has multiple risks attached to it, and can potentially cause complications despite it being deemed as a relatively safe instrument to wield (“Risks from lasers”, n.d.). This paper will analyze some of the impacts of laser on health and safety to provide a more holistic understanding of not merely the benefits but also the possible dangers and consequences of utilizing this tool. This knowledge is especially important in light of the growing prevalence and prominence of laser in an advanced and technologically reliant society as the one we currently reside in, as it ensures that we reduce the chances of having asymmetrical and imperfect information of the technologies that we make use of.

1.     Impact of laser on health (Risk of laser in surgery)

Lasers used for the purpose of surgery can have negative impacts on our health. This is because all medical procedures including laser treatments expose patients to varying degrees of risk and complications. While we can minimize the extent of the risks involved, it is nearly impossible to completely eliminate the dangers attached to medical operations. Hence, it is prudent that patients are informed about the potential hazards before undergoing laser surgery. Similarly, medical practitioners should attain a good knowledge of the implications of laser and its causes to better manage and prevent these complications from occurring (“Risks from lasers”, n.d.). Hence, this paper will examine the risks involved in laser surgery to demonstrate the impact of laser on our health.

a)     Risks of laser eye surgery

According to the Royal College of Ophthalmologists, severe complications as a result of laser eye surgery are rare with negative side effects arising in less than 5% of patients undergoing this treatment and chances of extreme implications such as blindness occurring being almost completely absent (“What are the risks of laser eye surgery?”, n.d.). However, this does not nullify the existence of risks and complications involved. Some of these risks include the possibility of impaired night vision after the laser eye surgery, which makes it difficult for the patient to see under dark conditions. As a result, glares, haloes or double visions may occur that can cause sight to be uncomfortable for these affected patients. This is because the surgery can reduce the patient’s vision under dim light even though a positive visual result is recorded under standard testing conditions after the laser eye surgery is completed (“LASIK eye surgery: Risks”, 2011).

Apart from that, corneal flap complications can arise as a consequence of laser eye surgery. These problems surface in the process of removing or folding back the flap during the surgery (“LASIK eye surgery: Risks”, 2011). A slipped corneal flap, which is a flap that becomes detached from the rest of the cornea, is a common complication that occurs after the surgery. While the chances of corneal flap dislocations are reported to be highest immediately after the surgery, late dislodging of the corneal flap is not unusual and can occur 1 to 7 years after the surgery (“LASIK complications”, n.d.). In-growing cells is another laser surgery risk that occurs when trapped debris causes cells to grow underneath the corneal flap (“What are the risks of laser eye surgery?”, n.d.). Epithelium, the outermost corneal tissue layer, ends up growing abnormally under the flap (“LASIK eye surgery: Risks”, 2011) in a symptom called epithelial in-growth (“LASIK complications”, n.d.), which can develop into a sight-threatening complication that leads to the patient having to risk the probability of visual impairment (“Epithelial Ingrowth”, n.d.). 

Laser eye surgery also hinders with tear production and thus, patients might face with exceptionally dry eyes during the post-surgery period (“LASIK eye surgery: Risks”, 2011). Dry eyes are accompanied by stinging or burning sensations that are painful and can affect the quality of vision, with the bad news being that this negative side effect is among one of the most common risks of laser eye surgery (“What are the risks of laser eye surgery?”, n.d.).  Moreover, in extreme cases, severely dry eyes can occur and cause permanent chronic pain or even blindness especially when it is left untreated (“LASIK complications”, n.d.). Thus, it is vital that patients get sufficient information about the risks of using such a technology especially if they are prone to conditions like dry eyes that can worsen after the surgery is conducted (“What are the risks of laser eye surgery?”, n.d.).

b)     Risks of laser skin surgery

Aggressive advertising has culminated in a century centered on the pursuit of beauty and youth. The advent of cosmetic laser technology has fueled this obsession with smoother, fairer, younger and more radiant skin. However, many are unaware of the resultant complications that can arise as a result of such dermatologic laser surgery. My paper explores some of these risks to bring to light the potential negative implications of using laser.

One of the epidermal complications that can arise as a result of dermatologic laser surgery is postoperative blistering, which is the formation of blisters or vesiculation due to epidermal thermal damage. This negative side effect can develop from all laser systems used in laser skin surgery and is typically witnessed from the use of Q-switched laser irradiation for tattoo removal. Some reasons for the development of this complication include the use of too much laser fluence (a stream of laser particles) or the unintentional absorption of laser energy due to the increased presence of an epidermal chromophore (an atom or a group of atoms responsible for the colour of a compound) such as melanin in a tan. (Brown, 2012).

One of the dermal complications that occur following laser skin surgery is scarring. This is among one of the most feared negative implications due to its long-lasting and near-permanent nature. Scarring results from direct laser-induced thermal damage or from complications such as postoperative infection that leads to excess damage to the collagen comprising the dermis. Cutaneous laser resurfacing has the highest risk of causing scarring due to the deliberate destruction of dermal tissue and the increased risk of infection occurring in the de-epithelialised skin. Moreover, since every individual’s skin has different levels of receptiveness towards such laser treatments, it is difficult for a surgeon to predict the implications of laser skin surgery and thus, the risk of such complications are still existent despite being operated on by the best and most well-trained surgeons (Brown, 2012).

2.     Impact of laser on safety (Risk of laser on aviation safety)

Laser light can be harnessed for multiple purposes across a diverse range of sectors as described in the above section on the current uses of laser. In this segment, however, the paper will explore a different side of laser light as it serves to highlight the potential risks attached to utilizing laser technology, with the focus placed on safety considerations in the area of aviation.

Lasers are aimed at airspace for various reasons that differ from entertainment in the form of laser pointers or outdoor shows, to research in fields like astronomy. Lasers are even used to shine at aircrafts to warn pilots that they are straying into unauthorized air spaces. For the purpose of this research paper, I will narrow down on the risks associated with the use of lasers that affect aviation safety. Laser light can be hazardous when it is directed at aircrafts. In United States, it has been reported that the number of incidents of lasers being directed at its aircraft has exceeded 2,800 since 2004, raising concerns towards the misuse of lasers aimed into airspace as they create dangerous flight conditions for pilots, endangering the lives of those on board the plane (“Laser safety”, 2013). This happens when the sudden and unexpected burst of bright visible light causes distraction to the pilot and result in them feeling unsettled. Moreover, as the brightness of the light intensifies, it can interfere with a pilot’s vision due to the glare from the laser light that makes it arduous to see out the windscreen. A pilot’s night vision might be shrouded and this can disrupt the smooth proceedings of a flight operation. Laser light can even lead to temporary flash blindness for the pilot that incapacitates a pilot’s ability to see clearly and stimulates the appearance of afterimages that leaves temporary spots in the pilot’s vision. These negative side effects can lead to severe consequences if the pilot is unable to recover his sight on time as it jeopardizes the safety of the crew and passengers on board the plane especially during critical phases such as takeoff, landing and emergency maneuvers. While such cases are rare, the danger of lasers causing eye damage is not entirely mitigated. High power laser light is capable of leading to permanent eye injury. This injury varies in its severity depending on the precision and intensity of the laser light shone on the aircraft. In extreme cases, such eye damages as a result of the bright light emitted from a laser can induce a state of complete and permanent loss of vision (“Lasers and aviation safety”, 2013).

Bearing in mind the implications stemming from the various applications of laser, it is prudent that users of laser are aware of the risks involved so that they can form more informed decisions before wielding this technology. This is especially important since laser is becoming increasingly prevalent and prominent as proven in this paper, which leads to the consequences being amplified and the urgency to manage these risks and fears being elevated. Thus, this leads to the need for the subsequent section on the future considerations of laser technology.

4.        Future Considerations
This section of the paper explores the future considerations pertaining to the use of laser technology. It will examine how risks and fears perceived can be better managed through the introduction of counteractive measures, and predict the future of laser technology to assess the sustainability of laser as a prevalent and prominent tool.
(i) Management of risks and fears
In light of the various risks brought about by the applications of laser as discussed above, it is beneficial to introduce the possible measures that can be taken to manage these risks so as to allay fears that some might bear towards the use of this technology.
a)    Management of fears towards the risks of laser in surgery

Risks and fears towards the use of laser in surgery can be managed by following a set of guidelines. This includes a comprehensive understanding of the dangers involved especially in the case of a laser eye surgery that serves the purpose of correcting an individual’s vision, which is considered an optional surgery since it does not pose a grave threat to the patient’s health and well being (“LASIK eye surgery: How you prepare”, 2011). As addressed above, patients with dry eyes and other eye conditions such as keratoconus (a cornea condition) or health problems such as HIV or other immunodeficiency conditions should particularly factor in the possibility of an increased risk when undergoing the treatment and the chances of laser aggravating their existing problems in the case of dry eyes (“LASIK eye surgery: Risks”, 2011). This similarly applies to laser skin surgery since laser treatment might not be suitable for sensitive skin and inflamed or broken skin. Thus, it is important to undergo laser operations only after detailed consultations under a registered practitioner so that the patient’s suitability is fully evaluated and advised before the commencement of the treatment (“Laser treatment”, 2012).

Post-surgery measures can also be undertaken to reduce the risk of complications arising and speed up the healing process. For laser eye surgeries, risks of negative implications can be lowered if patients regularly attend post-surgery examinations that monitor the recovery of the operated eye and ensures the optical health of the patient. Patients also need to follow through with post-surgery care by adhering to the regimen of eye drops, protective eyewear especially under glaring lights and other procedures recommended by the physician to better manage the risks of negative side-effects occurring (“After laser eye surgery – Post LASIK care”, n.d.).

b)    Management of fears towards the risks of laser on aviation safety

Similarly, there is a range of measures that can be taken to reduce the potential risks of laser on the safety of aviation. This includes enforcement, where police officers are mobilized on aerial vehicles like helicopters to patrol and identify culprits that are misusing laser to aim into airspace and disrupt the smooth proceedings of aircrafts. Hazard reduction measures can also be employed to manage the risks of laser accordingly. Examples of such methods include the termination of laser beams on structures like buildings or trees during outdoor laser shows for entertainment as mentioned in the section above. This would prevent the laser beam from trespassing protected airspace and interfere with aviation safety. Another hazard-reduction measure that aims to minimize risks is through the development and compliance of policies for outdoor laser operations like that of National Aeronautics and Space Administration’s (NASA) “Use Policy for Outdoor Lasers” and American National Standards Institute (ANSI) standard “Safe Use of Lasers Outdoors”. Regulatory measures such as the implementation of bans that restrict the use or sale of lasers can aid in the management of risk of laser light being shone inappropriately on aircrafts. Countries can follow the footsteps of Australia who imposed legal regulations on the purchase, storage and utilization of laser pointers in 2008. Pilots and crew can also undergo training to receive knowledge on the procedures towards quicker recovery in the event of laser illumination. Articles with the likes of “Laser Illuminations: The Last Line of Defense – The Pilot!” have also been published in aviation magazines to provide more information on the management of risks associated with laser beams. Lastly, active hazard-reduction measures can be considered when dealing with the negative implications of laser on aviation safety. These measures introduce protective eyewear such as laser safety goggles to shield pilot from the bright light emitted from a laser. Advancements in technology have allowed for the creation of smart goggles that are capable of detecting laser light and stimulate a blockage or dimming system according to the wavelength and intensity of the laser beam. Glare shields that work like windscreen filters can also be used to minimize any incoming laser light. These methods can serve to reduce the consequences of laser incidents and thus, effectively manage the risks of laser on aviation safety (“Lasers and aviation safety”, 2013).

(ii) Laser in the future
The advent of lasers in the 1950s has allowed for Man’s dream of possessing this useful and powerful technology to materialize and its development since then has seen laser being incorporated within our daily lives, as an important and transformational tool of both prevalence and prominence (Noticewala, 2011). From surgery and medical diagnostics to laser equipments for warfare and defence, lasers are employed in virtually every facet of our lives (“Laser Innovation: Why The Next 50 Years Look Even Brighter”, n.d.). However, future developments of laser are still unknown, with the continued sustainability of laser’s pervasiveness and preeminence being an open question to many. Hence, this paper aims to study the situation of laser in the future. Moving away from historical perspectives and the current situation, this section serves to provide a shift in focus towards the potential areas of growth in the market of laser, which has been forecasted to carry great promise in all the identified industries that will be covered in detail below. This is especially so as the laser’s capability is now improving in leaps and bounds with the use of science and technology to manipulate the almost infinite combinations of pulse durations, pulse shapes, wavelengths and power levels of laser that will exponentially increase the potential applications of laser (“Laser Innovation: Why The Next 50 Years Look Even Brighter”, n.d.).

a)    Medicine

According to researchers, laser technology will be harnessed to create new alternatives to conventional biomedical practices. For instance, lasers are extremely beneficial as tools to aid in medical diagnosis because their useful properties allow for non-invasive probing of tissue (Noticewala, 2011). In the diagnosis of cancer, a biopsy is typically needed to confirm the nature of the lump detected so as to ascertain if the growth is cancerous. However, such conventional methods are usually time-consuming and so, lasers are employed instead to develop faster and better diagnostic techniques to identify cancerous cells. A laser-based sensor is developed for future applications to aid in tumour detection by making use of a transmitting fiber to transfer laser light to a microscanner mirror positioned at the end of the endoscope, which deflects the laser beam and illuminate the identified tissue. An 8-millimeter-diameter micro-electro-mechanical system (MEMS) microscope head is fixed into the laser-based sensor, where it will serve to magnify tissue cells measuring merely 10-20 micrometers that are too small to be seen by the human eye. In this way, this laser-based sensor can be used for future cancer diagnosis, potentially eliminating the need to undergo biopsy (“Lasers deliver a bright future for diagnostics”, 2010). The recent creation of a handheld laser scanner also carries great potential in improving the future medical scene as it aims to enhance the efficiency of breast cancer diagnosis. The laser scanner produces a spectral “fingerprint” of patients to evaluate if the breast tumours developed need more intensive treatments. This device generates comprehensive breakdowns of the amount of hemoglobin, water and fat content, tissue density and oxygen consumption by the tumour to allow medical practitioners to attain more precise information on the effects of chemotherapy on cancer cells, and thus determine the necessary treatments more accurately. This is a function exclusive to the use of laser that the traditional mammogram is unable to replicate. Taking into consideration the gray areas in the contemporary use of the mammogram for breast cancer detection, this new laser equipment aims to minimize the flaws associated with present technologies to improve the quality of diagnosis procedures. This laser scanning method, for example, can improve detection of breast cancer in younger women whose breast tissue are denser and are hence, less sensitive to the mechanisms of a mammogram. While the innovation is still under evaluation, it has definitely brought hope to the advancement of medical diagnosis that is pivotal as the first step to the treatment of potential health problems faced by mankind in the future (“Lasers deliver a bright future for diagnostics”, 2010).

Apart from the uses of laser in medical diagnosis, lasers also carry the potential in serving as the future of addiction therapy. Researchers are looking into harnessing laser light as solutions to stamp out addictive behaviours. Addictions to drugs such as cocaine are becoming one of the major health concerns especially in countries like America, where approximately 1.2 million people are affected by cocaine addictions and annual emergency room visits as a result of cocaine usage are as high as 482,188. A cocaine addiction occurs when victims consume the drug compulsively and end up losing the ability to function without it, resulting in the constant abuse of this drug. It has been reported that approximately 80 percent of the people who attempt to kick off the habit end up experiencing a relapse within a short duration of six months, demonstrating the ineffectiveness of present therapies in getting rid of cocaine addiction. This is where laser can be employed to curb the addiction, possibly in the future. Experiments are currently being conducted to measure the impact that laser has on the brain activity of lab rats that were addicted to cocaine. Since cocaine has been found to cause low levels of activity in the prefrontal cortex, clouding one’s ability for behavioural flexibility and decision-making, laser light is aimed at this region of the brain to test its effectiveness in reducing addictions. The results of these experiments reveal that laser can activate the nerve cells in the prefrontal cortex, where this newfound ability is proven to greatly reduce addictive behaviours, providing mankind with a breakthrough in the use of lasers for future applications in the medical sector (Nordqvist, 2013).

b)    Military

The prominence of laser in the future is not merely exemplified by the potential applications of laser technology in the medical sector but is also proven by its expected use to improve military prowess in years to come. In America, for example, the navy is expected to deploy lasers in ships by the year 2014. This will give its military powerful cutting-edge weaponry, as the ship-mounted laser is believed to be able to decimate small boats in the water and unmanned aerial vehicles with the infrared energy emitted. The effectiveness of this laser equipment has been tested and an unmanned drone was seen to burst into flames after the laser was aimed at it. The laser’s ability to ignite and burn targets without the hassle of having to replace the magazine like that in typical firearms can be very useful in future military applications especially as America can now use this superior technology to attack the drones utilized by Iran to surround and harass the Navy’s ships. These lasers have a hundred percent success rate in exterminating targets and possess several additional advantages such as a relatively low cost of operating it ($1 per laser shot) and the flexibility of the laser to have non-threatening functions alongside its lethal capacities, which enables it to be used as means to send warning signals to other vessels alongside its main purpose. Laser weapons are described as the future of national defence and warfare, and similar laser weapons are constantly being developed such as the FEL (free electron laser) that is tested to be capable of burning and destroying feet of raw steel, with a power range that is adjustable according to weather conditions. This provides the military with an even more flexible weapon. While these laser-based innovations are not released in the market yet, it is safe to conclude that laser is here to stay (Fishel, 2013).

5.        Conclusion
In conclusion, this paper serves to demonstrate the progress of laser technology from its initial inception as a mere concept to its current state of prevalence and prominence. The birth of the first ruby laser in 1960 has snowballed into the multiple applications of laser across different industries such as medicine and surgery, military and communications. Present day uses of laser include laser in oncology, lasers for air reconnaissance and lasers to improve the efficiency and speed of communication, all of which have served to revolutionize the way we live as lasers offer viable and valuable solutions to the challenges we face in our daily chores and have been employed to improve the quality of life for mankind. Nevertheless, it is apt to recognize the limitations of using this technology. Laser carries risks that can endanger our health and safety, which would thus require counteractive measures to manage these negative implications and minimize the adverse impacts of laser. With the availability of a diverse range of methods to manage these risks, the future of laser technology is enhanced especially as new and more cutting-edge lasers are increasingly being materialized with advancements in science and technology that has ensured the sustainability of laser’s prevalence and prominence even in the future.

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[1] This paper is reviewed by Clara Chu and Zhuang Lingzhen.