“It is quite good already,” says Le Moullec. However, research is only at the beginning when we consider camera sensor technology, implementation of algorithms and everything else that is responsible for analysing the images and detecting bacteria. “We started a bit over one year ago,” he tells.
Very deep into standards Yannick Le Moullec also talks about a third project, this time outside of the medicinal field - a wireless, green internet of sorts. A key issue here is energy efficient techniques; which algorithms, hardware and methods can be used? With the world adapting to 5G and further implementation of the Internet, there are going to be more and more sensors. Their energy consumption can’t be unbearable and overwhelming. Devices need to be very efficient whilst simultaneously capable of working for long periods of time. “Standards say that some devices such as NB-IoT modules have to be able to work for up to 10 years without changing the battery. We have a collaboration with some Estonian Telecom operators, along with potential interest from other network operators, but also from other sectors. It can be used for smart grid monitoring, water distribution systems and so on,” says Le Moullec, adding that they are quite advanced and have worked for about four years on the project already. “We went very deep into the standards. Other groups around the world just use the technology, but we went in with a great level of detail to get the best out of this technology,” explains Le Moullec. All of Yannick Le Moullec’s research revolves around our future, be it in healthcare or energy consumption, both of which are among the most important fields of research around the world. Estonian Centre of Excellence in ICT Research
WHAT DOES THE FUTURE HOLD FOR THIS FATHER AND HIS DAUGHTER? Toomas (30) and his daughter Emma (5) have to be aware that for accurate health monitoring, research and development will consider both, non-invasive sensors (bio-stamps, tattoo-like sensors), and invasive, implantable sensors. These will be combined with novel low energy wireless communication technologies to enable remote analytics and diagnostics. “By 2050, it is expected that whole body monitoring, early detection and prevention, as well as personalised medicine will be truly become commonplace,” says Yannick Le Moullec to our father and daughter duo. “When it comes to the environment, we must address the climate and biodiversity crises. Worldwide initiatives and programs will drive the developments for reaching carbon-neutrality and a sustainable economy, such as the European Commission’s European Green Deal, for instance. As part of this move, we must develop environmentally friendly electronics systems across the whole supply chain - resource extraction, new materials and compounds, resource optimisation and eco-design, a carbon-neutral supply-chain, sustainable processes, circular economy, and more,” Le Moullec says. He recommends a business idea to the pair to create a new wave of electronic components, including flexible electronics, organic electronics, degradable and biodegradable electronics, 3D-printed electronics from biodegradable polymers or biodegradable polymers, energy harvesters, etc. Toomas may be ready to jump on the bandwagon, because today, early prototypes of bio-degradable electronics that are more environmentally friendly already exist. “For both phenomena, there are many opportunities and needs for conducting further research in that direction, as well as to develop applications that can be implemented using new technologies. Entrepreneurs will not only have to understand those new technological developments, but also to seize opportunities and contribute to new paradigms building upon the circular economy, inclusive business models and so on,” Le Moullec tells. Le Moullec says that assuming humans will not have disappeared, Emma could witness the realisation of transhumanism, at least from the technological perspective. This would result in the improvement and enhancement of the human condition. Technology would help us live longer, improve our mood, and provide us with unprecedented cognitive capabilities. The list of technologies that would support and enable such a realisation is considerable and particularly include the so-called NBIC, which stands for nanotechnology, biotechnology, information technology and cognitive science. In addition, other technologies will contribute to realising transhumanism, for example artificial intelligence, 3D bioprinting, cryonics, etc. Emma’s life could be very different than her father’s - both healthier and longer. “In parallel or perhaps in total opposition to the above, the focus might shift towards the so-called ‘bright green environmentalism’, i.e. developing technologies that are clean and safe combined with social innovation to attain sustainable development. For example, nanotechnology and biotechnology could be used to reverse the damage done to the environment,” Le Moullec concludes. So Emma might see a greener earth after all.
25
