| Emerging technologies of nanotechnology, | | | | tissue culture also fall under this definition, modern |
| biotechnology, information technology and | | | | biotechnology focuses on working with cells and |
| cognitive science can produce a fundamental | | | | DNA. It is the genes in the DNA that determine |
| change in our world. These technologies also offer | | | | the characteristics of the organisms. Modify the |
| numerous business opportunities. Unlike | | | | genes and you can modify the organism's |
| conventional technologies, the new technologies | | | | characteristics. |
| are knowledge-oriented rather than equipment | | | | This technique has been used to develop crop |
| oriented. | | | | varieties that are resistant to disease and can |
| What knowledge orientation means is that if you | | | | grow under inhospitable conditions. Genetic |
| have the know-how, or can hire someone with | | | | therapy can go to the root causes of diseases in |
| required know-how, you can often start your | | | | humans, unlike conventional therapy that focused |
| small business with little investment. For example, | | | | on treating symptoms. |
| if you know how to develop custom business | | | | Information technology has already created a |
| applications, you can start off with an inexpensive | | | | Google, Amazon and eBay, and numerous |
| computer and a few software tools. Get a client, | | | | obscure but money-making businesses. It was |
| study the requirements, design a system to meet | | | | knowledge and ideas, rather than investment in |
| those requirements, code and test the system, | | | | physical facilities, that initiated these ventures. The |
| implement it and support it till the client is happy. | | | | technology also created opportunities for such |
| You will notice that most of the work involved is | | | | services as data recovery and Web content |
| brain work, not machine operations or raw | | | | development that smaller players can provide. |
| materials processing. This is what we mean by | | | | Cognitive science is for those who are interested |
| knowledge industry. Just like in the information | | | | in the functioning of the brain. There are cognitive |
| technology example above, the other technologies | | | | tutors that sense the way a student is |
| are also primarily knowledge-intensive. | | | | approaching problems, and directs him or her |
| A Look at the new Technologies | | | | along correct channels. This has the result of |
| Nanotechnology works with atoms and molecules. | | | | making learning more effective. Our brain |
| You go to these fundamental units of materials | | | | functions can certainly do with a lot of |
| and try to modify their structure to create new | | | | improvement and a cognitive scientist can use his |
| materials with customized properties. Though | | | | or her know-how to develop tools that can |
| knowledge is what you need most, working at | | | | improve things of the mind. |
| nano scale, i.e. at one billionth of a meter, will | | | | New Technologies Are also Changing Job |
| require expensive and sophisticated equipment like | | | | Scenarios |
| electron microscope (ordinary microscopes won't | | | | The job market is looking for people with new |
| help you). | | | | skills. Many community colleges are focusing on |
| Instead of working at these fundamental levels, if | | | | training up people with the skills in demand in the |
| you have the know-how, you can get | | | | current jobs market. Information technology skills, |
| nanoparticles from suppliers and use these to | | | | for example, is a favorite field of such retraining. |
| produce a novel product. For example, | | | | The more ambitious among you can look at the |
| self-cleaning glass sheets have been developed | | | | other technologies if these interest you. There are |
| with a nanoparticle based coating that breaks | | | | numerous courses, short-term and of longer |
| down dust, which is then washed off the next | | | | duration, that can equip you with specific skills. |
| time some moisture falls on the glass. | | | | Emerging new technologies are thus opening up |
| Biotechnology works with living organisms such as | | | | new avenues both for businesspersons and job |
| plants, animals and humans. Though techniques like | | | | seekers. |