Selected Future Topics:

• Health and Nutrition
  The healthcare sector is growing significantly faster than the overall economy and already accounts for over 12% of GDP. New business models and providers for individualized healthcare services are emerging. Trends here include, for example, disease prevention, enhancing quality of life, healthy eating, fitness, and slowing down aging.

• Digitalization and AI
  (Description already available)

• Renewable Resources and Energy
  The future topic of renewable resources and energy encompasses the increasing use of renewable energy sources such as solar, wind, water, and biomass instead of fossil fuels. Key aspects include, in particular, the expansion of technologies for generating renewable energies such as wind power, photovoltaics, and hydropower. The transformation of the energy system towards a more sustainable, low-carbon energy mix. Strong market growth and the emergence of new business models and providers in the field of “green” energy technologies are expected in these areas.

• Urbanization and Mobility
  The future topic of urbanization and mobility describes the ongoing growth of cities and the associated challenges for infrastructure and mobility.
  More and more people are moving to cities; urbanization is progressing worldwide. According to forecasts, 75% of the world’s population will live in cities by 2050. Cities are innovation hubs and drivers for economy and development. The increasing traffic volume in and around cities leads to congestion, traffic jams, and environmental pollution. This requires future mobility concepts such as e-mobility and alternative drives to reduce emissions, new mobility concepts like car-sharing, e-scooters, bike leasing, etc., the expansion of public transport and intelligent traffic control, and the development of new, innovative vehicle technologies for urban mobility. But also innovative and future-proof urban concepts with sustainable, connected, and efficient “Smart Cities” with optimized infrastructure. The megatrend of urbanization and mobility requires innovative solutions for livable, sustainable, and efficient mobility in growing cities.

• Climate Change and Climate Adaptation
  This future trend encompasses two central aspects in dealing with climate change: climate mitigation and climate adaptation. Both aspects are inextricably linked. Enormous investments are required in both areas, leading to new business fields and innovations for “green” technologies and services. The megatrend of climate change and climate adaptation will massively shape and transform the economy and society in the coming decades.

• New Materials:
  The future trend of New Materials encompasses the development and use of innovative materials with improved properties for various applications.
  This is based particularly on advances in fields such as nanotechnology, biotechnology, and materials science, where novel materials, lightweight materials with high strength for mobility applications to reduce weight and emissions, intelligent materials with adaptive properties (e.g., self-healing or temperature-regulating), bio-based and biodegradable materials from renewable resources as an alternative to plastics, or new energy storage materials for more efficient batteries and the energy transition are being developed. New materials are key technologies and innovations for many industries such as automotive, aerospace, construction, etc. They enable innovative products, processes, and business models with competitive advantages.
  The megatrend of New Materials is a central innovation driver that leads to efficiency gains, sustainability benefits, and new application areas in many industries.

• Microsystems Technology
  The megatrend of Microsystems Technology encompasses the development and application of miniaturized systems and technologies in the micrometer range. Microsystems integrate various technology areas such as electronics, mechanics, optics, sensor technology, etc., in the smallest possible space. It enables intelligent, multifunctional products and system solutions for many application fields, e.g., in healthcare, mobility (sensors, actuators, control systems for vehicles), Industry 4.0 (miniaturized production facilities, process monitoring), environmental technology (microreactors, sensor networks for environmental monitoring).
  Microsystems technology is a key technology and innovation driver for many industries, enabling new products, business models, and competitive advantages. Microsystems technology is a central megatrend that will gain even greater importance for intelligent and efficient system solutions in the future.