Friday, 15 November 2013

Review of TWC module

Throughout this module, I had learnt a whole list of issues regarding today's technology and the list isn't even exhaustive. From sustainable technologies to information technology, the evolution of technology is definitely one of the biggest impression mankind has made on earth. Content-wise, I truly gained insights in many industries such as energy, biotechnology etc, understanding their history, their current applications and influences made for future world change. We also looked into emerging and future technologies and how there is a need to employ techniques to assess and forecast. Skills-wise, I learnt more about presentation skills, critical-thinking skills, as well as teamwork and collaboration, through working in teams for our group Web-report as well as learning how to write a professional report, which I felt was a good training for the future years to come. TWC is definitely a very relevant module to the world today, where the concepts I had learnt are pertinent to everyday life applications as well as in businesses. I had learnt much and had a truly fruitful experience during the entire course. Also, thank you to Prof. Shahi, for your guidance, as well as Victor, our TA, for his helpful advice! Cheers!


Presentation weeks! (Session 11 and 12)

“Wisdom alone is true ambition's aim,
wisdom is the source of virtue and of fame;
obtained with labour, for mankind employed,
and then, when most you share it, best enjoyed.”
- Alfred North Whitehead -

I particularly like the quote above. In other words, you’ll make the biggest difference if you share your wisdom and insights with others. This quote is relevant to the two presentation weeks we have for the last two sessions of the module. By sharing what we learnt and applied to the class, it builds a collaborative setting for one and all to learn from each other J

Presentations:
1.        Futuristic buildings

I really like this group presentation on Futuristic buildings! What a great way to kickstart presentations week with their self-built model to take on the concept of underwater living in the future due to land scarcity, given growing populations. With increasing urbanization, there is undeniably a sacrifice made between the environment and economic growth, leading to the drastic drop in vegetation in the world, which are being replaced by tall skyscrapers and buildings. Therefore, it is a good to restore this by incorporating nature into these futuristic buildings. The group proposed sustainable technologies in these buildings as well. I really like the following two innovations: transparent solar cells and space solar station. Currently, solar panels are usually built on roofs of buildings to capture the maximum amount of light in the day but with transparent solar cells, these cells can be incorporated as a layer outside the windows for example and capture energy without blocking out the view outside. A win-win situation, I must say. Space solar station, which is still undergoing development in Japan is also a useful invention. Currently, solar panels are dependent on the seasonal weather but with Japan’s emerging innovation, this consideration is eliminated. The solar stations which consist of geostationary satellites sitting 36 thousand km above the Earth, would transmit collected energy back down to Earth in the form of laser beams or microwaves. The last point on I want to touch on is underwater living spaces, which is pretty related to Glenda’s individual presentation. I believe that this new living spaces will definitely create a new diversity of jobs underwater. Wave action can also be utilized as a sustainable form of energy to power the spaces underwater. However, one important aspect that needs to be look into is safety. There ought to be comprehensive and feasible plans on how to deal with emergency evacuation for example.

2.        Clean technologies

The group covered a wide scope on clean technologies, covering various renewable energy sources such as biofuels, hydroelectric energy, solar energy and nuclear energy, their advantages and disadvantages, case studies as well as future implications. They also shared on the need for efforts to make to switch from non-renewable energy sources to renewable ones. Generally, I found this pretty similar to the session on energy and world change few weeks before this session.

3.        Nanotechnologies

Nanotechnology is an interesting topic which is pretty related to my individual topic paper on Claytronics! One useful application of nanotechnology is the use in the medical field today. Given that cancer is one of the leading causes of deaths in Singapore, this may be the start of its reversal. Nanoparticles, which are small, are able to penetrate into the outer layer of the skin and into the blood to the specific target cancer cells. This allows the use of nanotechnology for diagnosis and treatment of cancer or even prevents it by detecting the possibility of cancer beforehand. A great technology, with useful applications indeed.

4.        Mind-controlled prosthetics

I believe that the disabled or amputees, are grateful towards such an invention, of mind-controlled prosthetics as it makes life more convenient for them, as by simply thinking of an action, there is no need for the hassle of physically or manually moving the respective parts, but this is made automated just by thought. One relevant area for improvement though, is the need to incorporate the sense of touch and the resulting force exerted. Perhaps, the regulation of the amount of force exerted could be made controllable through use of pressure sensors and linked motors.

5.        Food for the future

After my group presented on transhumanism, the other group proceeded to present on the future of food. They highlighted that even though there is enough food to the global populations today, there persists a problem of unequal distribution of food, which results in the disparity between the rich and the poor, as well as, extreme cases of obesity and malnutrition. This phenomenon relates to food aid and poverty. An interesting point brought up by their group which I find a real problem is the fact that dumping food to the poorer nations such as free, subsidized or cheaper food, actually undercuts local food producers, who cannot compete which this food aid, and therefore, driven out of jobs and into poverty. How paradoxical.

6.        Sex and advertising

The group presented largely on the negative implications of sexual advertising. They include the increase in the acts of violence due to advertisement suggesting sexual violence or rape. I personally find this not directly causational, reason being, I feel that cultural influences plays a higher role in such behaviour as compared to sexual advertisements. Another point was made on body image, where women suffer from eating disorders due to the exposure to advertisements with women of ideal body or ultra-thin physiques. This is a sad phenomenon, where women tend to be influenced by such advertisements and societal ideals and pressures, leading to superficial beauty.

7.        Virtual reality

The last group talked about virtual reality. What an interesting way to introduce the topic on virtual reality through their live demonstration!!! Really enjoyed it J They then continued on the history of virtual reality and augmented reality, which was actually touched on during class for several times, I believe. There are many applications of these realities, but one application that I fancy is the one on telecommunications. Imagine saving all the time and trouble of transport, when project meetings for example, can be held in virtual worlds instead!

Thoroughly enjoyed these two weeks on presentations. Really interesting topics with innovative methods used to interest the class as well! 10/10 for these two weeks! JJJ


Session 10 - Technology Assessment and Forecasting: Developing a Framework for Understanding What Comes Next

Technological progress is inevitable but it can never be free of ethical implications. Scientists and innovators ought to have a moral compass with regards to their work, but we must recognize that they are not trained ethicists themselves. Therefore, there is a need to conduct technology assessments to evaluate a particular current technology and examine its potential as well as its implications. Technology assessment take on a global perspective and looks into the future. It strives to solve existing problems and prevent potential damage caused by inappropriate application of new technologies. However, one problem is that the impacts of technologies cannot be easily predicted until the technology is extensively developed and widely used. Therein lies the problem, when such technology is widely utilized, it may be difficult to control or be changed. Such technologies include nanotechnology, information technology, nuclear technology etc.

Technology forecasting is examining a range of technologies and predicting the future opportunities on how it could change the world, as well as its characteristics. Some commonly foresight methodologies includes trend extrapolation, scenario-based analysis, SWOT analysis etc. SWOT analysis for example, stands for Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats. Often, strengths and weaknesses reflect the internal, while opportunities and threats reflect the external environment.

Technology assessment and forecasting is very relevant especially when technology progresses at a fast rate over time, with the potential to impact the world. There is a need to obtain an understanding on what type of changes or impacts that a certain technology might incur, be it currently existing or emerging. These evaluated impacts or predicted ones extrapolated from current findings, can very well lead to positive impacts as well as negative ones. Therefore, such assessment and forecasting tools can bring foresight to companies or governmental bodies, in bringing about the positive impacts and plan ways to mitigate or prevent the negative ones from happening.

Lastly, the results from assessment and forecasting can aid in decision-making for the government and/or companies in which technologies or new innovations to invest and research in. This is especially so when there is a need to prioritize, given limited resources especially the developing countries, on whether to implement and use these technologies and when to do so.


Overall, I’ll rate this a 7/10!

Session 9 – Emerging and Future Technologies

Session 9 – Emerging and Future Technologies
“You see things; and you say, 'Why?'
But I dream things that never were; and I say, 'Why not?'”
- George Bernard Shaw –

Have the openness to say “Why not?” instead of just asking “Why?”. This is the “Rising Star” mentality, just like an eagle that opens its wings and embraces new things that come its way. On the other hand, asking “Why?” is a “Falling Star” mentality, akin to an ostrich, that buries its head in the sand and narrowing its horizons. I must say, before enrolling in TWC course, I often take things as it is and not question why things are the way things are. TWC module definitely broadened my perspectives about issues around the world and the development of certain industries from past to future J

Prof. Shahi then showed us a video on “Claytronics”, which was the topic of my individual research paper. An emerging technology indeed, I believe it would revolutionize the lives of humans in the future in many industries such as telecommunications, medicine, product designing etc. Another interesting technology introduced today is “Plastic Electronics”, where e-book readers and computers for example, can be made from cheaper materials such as plastic and silicon. This technology, I believe would definitely open the doors of many who had previously no access to the Internet and use of computers, given its cheaper cost. A great invention, indeed.
We then discussed on the drivers of future technologies. A technology-driven invention is where the growing knowledge in the field of Science, insights and discoveries has led to the invention of this new technology that was inconceivable in the past. Sometimes, supply creates demand, where consumers do not realize they need something until they see or experience it. It is able to meet the needs of consumers which were previously unimagined as well as, providing solutions to previously unanticipated problems in certain industries today.
One presentation I really found interesting was Glenda’s one, on underwater living. Perhaps it might seem like a wild idea now, but it is very likely that in the future, when populations are rising such that land is more scarce than before, or perhaps when with global warming and sea levels are higher than that of ground, there might possibly be a need to introduce underwater living to the populations, and relocate them underwater. However, there might be environmental problems that comes with this, such as the invasion into the marine life, especially during the construction to make underwater living possible.
One point I would like to mention is that even though emerging technologies are still in their infantry stages and may have certain limitations, there is definitely still much potential for further development, to increase the quality of life for humans. After all, technology itself is the human-centric application of Science. This makes me recall the very first lesson, when Prof. Shahi said that there is no such thing as a good or bad technology. It ultimately depends on how it is used by humans, and whether we utilize the opportunities that technology offers us so that we are able to bring about beneficial and meaningful impacts on the lives of human.
This session appears pretty short, perhaps because many emerging technologies were covered but not in-depth. Regardless, a very interesting session as it looks into the future use of technology! Really enjoyed the presentations as well, some were pretty cool. 9/10! J

Session 8 – Energy and World Change (Past, Present and Future)


In today’s lesson, we talked about the current global energy crisis that is one of the most urgent and real problem of today. Energy consumption rose over the years due to the need for energy usage in many industries for economic development and yet, the amount of available energy sources are depleting at a rapid rate. With populations rising and new industries emerging, there is a clear need for sustainability to cope with this rising demand for energy, as well as the environmental impact that non-renewable energy usage imposes.



The above, is a graph of energy usage (kg of oil equivalent per capita), referring to the use of primary energy before transformation to other end-use fuels. Just look at the amount and rate where United States is consuming at! It far exceeds that of China’s as well as to the world at large. China is currently using a quarter of energy compared to US but China’s population is significantly more than US and it is anticipated that China energy use will exceed that of US in the future. In fact, China’s energy usage is already steadily increasing and as we can see from the graph, it has already coincided with the energy usage of the world. According to Prof. Shahi, this will lead to a “greenhouse hell”. How then can countries like China achieve the same economic growth and well-being but not damage the environment as extensive as the US?
It is therefore imperative that we shift from our current unsustainable fossil fuel-based energy intensive economy to an environmentally sound and sustainable, clean and green one. Energy efficiency is the key requisite to meeting our future energy needs from sustainable sources. New habits, new technologies and new ideas. We need to step away from the conventional usage of fossil fuels in the industrialization days and revolutionize our approach towards energy consumption, in a way which is efficient and environmentally friendly.  

Brazil’s ProAlcool gasohol programme, is a good example. ProAlcool, the national alcohol program in Brazil, started in the mid-1970s and was described as the solution to the first oil crisis, where ethanol fuel is produced from sugarcane production. Since then, the automobile industry has produced alcohol-fuelled cars and after several technological developments, Brazil was recognized as the world leader in the sustainable use of bioethanol, as well as a policy model for other developing countries to follow.

Fortunately, due to environmental concerns such as climate change and global warming, coupled with high oil prices due to depleting resources, more countries are looking into renewable energies. Although as compared to non-renewable energy sources, the share of global energy consumption from renewable resources is still very low. Thankfully, there are many bodies which are setting goals and executing plans in increasing this percentage share, with the ultimate aim to achieve sustainability. For example, the European Union sets a goal of obtaining 20% of energy from renewable sources by 2020.

Personally, I find that the reason why non-renewable energy sources are used more extensively than renewable ones is because of cost. Research and development in the field of renewable energy sources adds on to the cost, which then passes down to consumers. There is a need for renewable energy sources to be price competitive against non-renewable ones as from a practical point of view, companies seek to maximise profits and reduce costs. Therefore, many prefer taking the easy way out, by disregarding the environmental repercussions and continue utilizing non-renewable energy sources instead. However, it ought to be noted that even though on the surface level, non-renewable energy such as coal seems cheaper, this is not exactly true as if we account the negative externalities of such consumption, the true cost of these non-renewables is actually much, much higher, as compared to most renewable energy sources which will be significantly cheaper in the long run.

Prof. Shahi showed as figures and graphs relating to energy consumption and the energy generated from certain sources. I was surprised with the fact that the sun actually provides more energy to the Earth in one hour than humankind currently uses in an entire year! In fact, photovoltaics are able to generate more energy per km square of land as compared to wind and biomass. The question now is, why then isn’t solar energy more heavily utilized than wind and biomass? Why aren’t solar panels not as extensively built and utilized comparatively? Perhaps the reason could be its high initial capital outlay and cost, as well as the cost of maintenance. 

Another point to note is the need for investment in clean energy. In 2009, China ranks first as the country to invest the heaviest in clean energy, followed by United States and United Kingdom. I believe such investment into the future is a wise step. Leaders of foresight are able to anticipate the pressing need to switch to renewable energy sources which are efficient and pollution reducing, to ease the future problem of overwhelming demand for energy given the rise in populations and growth in economy. More countries should follow the footsteps of China, US and UK etc., and invest more in clean energy and possibly in the near future, the strain on Earth would ease. However, this is uncertain as since environmental problems concerns one and all, the problem now is who should take up the responsibility? More often than not, this responsibility is being pushed around as it is not clear as to who should take up this onus. 

Generally, I would rate this session a 8/10. I learnt more about energy which I didn't know about before. 



Wednesday, 6 November 2013

Final Individual report "Claytronics - The Human Experience Redefined"

Claytronics - The Human Experience Redefined[1]
Chong Hui Qi (huiqi.chong.2013@accountancy.smu.edu.sg), 1st Year student, Bachelor of Accountancy, Singapore Management University
Executive Summary
This paper examines the potential breakthrough of Claytronics into numerous industries such as telecommunications, healthcare, education and modelling based on the concept of transmissible synthetic reality also known as Pario. This paper will then analyse on the potential positive impacts and drawbacks on its applications, as well as other possible health, environmental and social implications.
1           Introduction

The Claytronics Project is an on-going research collaboration between Carnegie Mellon University and Intel Labs Pittsburgh, led by a Carnegie Mellon computer science professor, Professor Seth Goldstein (Guin, 2012). The team of researchers combined both nanotechnology and telepresence together, to produce Claytronics (D.Abhishekh et al., 2013).

Claytronics is a collection of programmable matter, known as catoms, or claytronic atoms, and they are the basic building blocks of Claytronics. Each catom is capable of receiving electronic instructions, processing information, moving in three-dimensional space relative to other catoms, and adhering to other catoms via magnetism or electrostatic forces to maintain a 3D shape (Goldstein and Mowry, 2004a). As of 2011, successful trials have been conducted with relatively large-scale catoms that can manoeuvre relative to each another in two dimensional spaces by using electromagnets which can be switched on and off accordingly (Phil Riddel, 2013). It is forecasted that catoms will be produced on a vast scale at the sub-millimetre and even nanometre scale, allowing ensembles of catoms to be manipulated, and developing a wide range of applications (Phil Riddel, 2013).

The focus of this paper is on Pario. Pario pushes the concept of “Virtual Reality” a step further; instead of audio and visual stimulations, it provides an additional physical sensation to our human experience (Goldstein and Mowry, 2004b). The data of a physical object or person is captured, encoded and transmitted in real time (Goldstein et al., 2005), to reproduce a replica of its original in terms of shape, appearance and motion etc. such that a conscious mind may or may not be able to distinguish from the experience of actuality (Goldstein and Mowry, 2004b). This concept is otherwise known as “Synthetic Reality”, where a user can interact with computer-generated objects as if they were the real thing (Goldstein and Mowry, 2004b).

Synthetic reality has significant advantages over current technologies such as virtual and augmented reality (Goldstein and Mowry, 2004b). For example, there is no need for the user to use any form of sensory augmentation such as head mounted displays, bionic contact lenses, Google Glass etc. or haptic feedback devices for virtual simulation and will be able to see, touch, or even use the object itself (Goldstein and Mowry, 2004b). The invention of Claytronics will arguably revolutionize the lives of man.  

Limitations of paper

It has to be noted that this paper has its limitations which include the lack of specific examples, statistics and analytical evidence to support what were proposed. This stems from the lack of resources as well as open-source information available for reference, especially when “The Claytronics Project” is still an on-going one. In addition, this paper could have covered in greater detail, on the hardware and software of Claytronics, as well as its research challenges faced. Nevertheless, the author has attempted to provide her analysis, evaluations and insightful inputs as well as she can throughout this paper.

2           Historical Perspectives 
Emergence of virtual and augmented reality
Synthetic reality is a new platform introduced only in the recent years as compared to virtual and augmented reality which existence dated back in history. The latter two are interlinked in their concepts in a way that each can be viewed as a subset of the other.
Augmented reality is a medium in which digital information is overlaid on the physical world that is in both spatial and temporal registration with the physical world and that is interactive in real time (Craig, 2013). It is a form of virtual reality where extra data, otherwise imperceptible to the biological system is rendered perceptible and calibrated with the display of the physical world (Craig, 2013).

Virtual reality, on the other hand, is a medium consisting of interactive computer simulations that detect the location of the participant and replace or augment the feedback to one or more senses – offering the user the experience of being immersed in the simulation (Craig, 2013).
Figure 1. Heilig's Sensorama.  Reproduced from The Ohio State University. (2003)

Morton Heilig, a visionary cinematographer, who was touted as the Father of Virtual Reality, constructed a single user console called “Sensorama” in the mid-1950s. Sensorama, included fans, a stereoscopic display, a moving chair, odour emitters and stereo speakers to stimulate multiple senses, namely, sight, sound, smell and touch, of the user and providing him a visual treat in three dimensions (Strickland, 2008). Subsequently, he proposed an idea for an immersive theatre where three dimensional images will be projected without the aid of special glasses or extra equipment (Carlson, 2003). Seated in tiers, the audience would be able to enjoy stereographic sound and motion sensation, as well as soak in the various odours injected into the air conditioning system while viewing the film (Carlson, 2003). However, Heilig’s “full experience” theatre was not in any way assembled (Carlson, 2003).  
Figure 2. “The Ultimate Display”. Reproduced from The Ohio State University. (2003)

In 1961, the next notable invention, also known as “Headsight”, was built by Philco Corporation engineers. This head-mounted display includes a video screen as well as a tracking system, which is connected to a closed-circuit camera system (Strickland, 2008). The user would be able to examine his or her real surroundings remotely, altering the camera angle by turning his head. This technology had been applied in the military field, where pilots for example, are able to train under a simulated environment of flying in the dark (Strickland, 2008). Although these devices contributed thoughtful ideas for display and virtual reality experiences, the computer and image formation were yet to be incorporated (Carlson, 2003).
In 1965, Ivan Sutherland, a computer scientist, followed up by introducing “The Ultimate Display”, where a user can be immersed in a virtual world so real as though it is the physical world itself. In 1968, Sutherland, who was assisted by his student, Bob Sproull, invented “The Sword of Damocles”, which is also the very first augmented reality and virtual reality head-mounted display system invented (Burton, 2012). It has a pair of glasses, cathode-ray tubes at the sides, mechanical head tracking as well as sensors suspended from the ceiling (Strickland, 2008). This head-mounted display allows for images to be displayed and coordinated in real time with the changing vision of the user, giving the illusion of depth (Strickland, 2008). With this technology, users are able to manipulate virtual three dimensional objects in a realistic, intuitive manner as well (Strickland, 2008). This invention revolutionized interactivity and was a springboard for many new and emerging applications today.   

Exploratory engineering

Another alternative point of view towards Claytronics is viewing it as a work of exploratory engineering. K. Eric Drexler describes exploratory engineering as the process of designing and examining detailed hypothetical models of systems that are unattainable with technologies of today, yet seemingly lie in the boundaries of what Science regards as possible in the narrowly defined scope of application of the hypothetical system model (Drexler, 1988). It often results in paper or video prototypes, or computer models that are able to convince those who understand the relevant Science, even though there is an absence of experimental confirmation. In other words, exploratory engineering is the exploration and extrapolation of modern technology (Drexler, 1988).

Others have also positioned exploratory engineering as a solution – one where its putative characteristics and the principles of engineering science have to come hand-in-hand to implement it in our real life (Wikipedia, 2007). And only when the activity transits from proto-engineering to actual engineering will the success or failure of such an implementation be clear (Wikipedia, 2007).

Proponents and critics have been debating over Claytronics as a form of exploratory engineering ever since the idea first came out in 2005. It is imperative that we note all these opinions are centred on the concepts of reality – augmented reality, simulated reality, and virtual reality. What really distinguishes between the opinionated visions of proponents and critics is the perimeter which would take exploratory engineering out of the domain of mere speculation, and defining it as a practical design activity that is often indiscernible to such critics of exploratory engineering, and meanwhile, inexpressible by the proponents (Wikipedia, 2007).

Yet, both critics and proponents generally concur that majority of the highly detailed simulation effort in the field may not necessarily result in a physical device (Wikipedia, 2007). Hence, without the practicality means, scientists saw no need for this project on Claytronics. It was only when its founding fathers – Seth Goldstein, the associate professor of computer science at Carnegie Mellon University, and Todd Mowry, the Director of the Intel Labs Pittsburgh, were investigating the idea of physicality and the need for physicality in today’s world (G4TV, 2008), where convenience supersedes most of consumers’ priorities that Claytronics began to find its presence in today’s technology.

In summary, the critics contend that while Claytronics is consistent with the laws of science with regards to its operation, all it merely does is communicate information in the form of imaginative 3D images – there is still the lack of a way to construct the device modelled, showing no proof that the desired device can be assembled (Goldstein et al., 2009). Proponents contend that there are a myriad of potential methods to construct the desired device that surely, at least one will not present a critical flaw preventing the materialization of Claytronics (Drexler, 1988).

Birth of Claytronics

The birth of Claytronics, according to Seth Goldstein, stems from both inspiration as well as natural evolution from previous research (G4TV, 2008). Before “The Claytronics Project”, Goldstein was researching on molecular computing. In molecular electronics, the essential idea is to influence a computation by changing the shape of molecules as when molecules adopt a different shape, they confer distinctively differing electrical properties (G4TV, 2008). He thought, of reversing the process, and instead, formulate computations that results in the shape-changing molecules (G4TV, 2008). Goldstein developed on this idea and eventually classified these molecules as programmable matter.

What further triggered him to embark on “The Claytronics Project” was the inspiration he drawn from attending a conference held by the Computer Research Association (CRA), together with Todd Mowry, who was keen in improving communication (G4TV, 2008). Goldstein believed that his idea on programmable matter was an answer to Mowry’s intention, and hence, they proposed to start “The Claytronics Project”, instead of waiting for nanotechnology to come up with a solution (G4TV, 2008).

3           Current Situation
As of 2012, only four catoms have been successfully operated together in three dimensions (Guin, 2012). However, the aim is to have catoms operate on a large-scale basis, in order to put them into useful, practical applications. Colour and texture are also areas to be researched further. As of 2006, researchers have already created a prototype catom that is 44 millimetres in diameter (Wang, 2007). When particles are small enough, it stimulates texture. The goal is to eventually produce catoms that are one or two millimetres in diameter – small enough to produce convincing replicas (Wang, 2007). It is anticipated that in the long run, the aforementioned challenges will be overcome and three out of the five human senses, namely sight, touch and sound can be achieved (G4TV, 2008).
Claytronics is currently still under on-going research.  
4           Future Considerations
Claytronics is a technology-driven invention, where the growing knowledge in the field of Science, insights and discoveries has led to the invention of this new technology that was inconceivable in the past. Sometimes, supply creates demand, where consumers do not realize they need something until they see or experience it. Claytronics is one example that illustrates this point, where it is able to meet the needs of consumers which were previously unimagined as well as, providing solutions to previously unanticipated problems in certain industries today. In this section, the application of Claytronics will be covered in further detail in the following industries below.
4.1         Telecommunications

The telecommunications industry has changed radically over the years, from the use of smoke signals and drums in prehistoric times, to the use of electrical methods such as the telephone in the 18th century and progressively till today, the use of electronic methods such as the radio, television, internet, computer and mobile networking (Huurdeman, 2003). However, these forms of communications centralize mainly on either auditory, visual communications or both.

With Pario, the human-to-human communication will completely revolutionize. There will be three platforms, namely auditory, visual and physical touch to interact upon. With the extra factor of touch, communication is made more realistic where one interacts with other computer generated persons as if they were real (Goldstein and Mowry, 2004b). Shape, movement, visual appearance, sound, and tactile qualities of each person will be mimicked, just like a replica (Goldstein and Mowry, 2004b).

Video-conferencing today is limited to two-dimensional images. In the future, however, Claytronics can be used to transmit three-dimensional images, even if the recipient is considerably far away. Such application is termed as parioconferencing, where virtual meetings can be carried out with the physical presence of the person can be felt (Goldstein et al., 2009). This would be a useful tool especially for large companies such as Multi-National Companies (MNCs), which outsource their businesses to their counterparts overseas. Meetings can be discussed from wherever they are, and they will experience a meeting with their counterparts assembled from millions of catoms and yet be unable to distinguish the difference of synthetic reality from true reality.

Parioconferencing is also beneficial in saving time for those with tight schedules. For instance, ministers can save the time and trouble of travelling across the globe to another country for G8 and G20 Summits meetings.

Parioconferencing can also be viewed as one step further from 3D imaging – think holography, 3D films, and 3D computer graphics. Claytronics goes beyond giving the illusion of 3D objects in a stipulated location. Instead, it allows 3D imaging to be emulated over long distances and additionally, allowing physical interactivity (Goldstein et al., 2009). This is the future; 3D video-conferencing.

4.2         Healthcare
A global trend in the healthcare industry today includes the rising healthcare needs due to demographic shift, especially the rapidly growing ageing population in countries such as Hong Kong, Singapore and Japan, which further increases the strain on the healthcare sector. In Hong Kong for example, the proportion­­ of elderly aged 65 and above will increase by two times from one-eighth in the year 2007 to one-quarter by year 2033 (Food and Health Bureau, 2008). The elderly dependency ratio is projected to have an increment of 258 from year 2007 to year 2033 as well (Food and Health Bureau, 2008). In year 2006, there is also an increase in healthcare needs by the elderly population, where an elder will utilize, on average, 6 times more in-patient care than someone who is 65 year-old and below (Food and Health Bureau, 2008).
Figure 3. Future projection of the total population, elderly population as well as the elderly dependency ratio. Reproduced from World Health Organization. (2008)

Figure 4. The mean number of public hospital bed days used by age (2006). Reproduced from World Health Organization. (2008)

Such strain on the healthcare sector can be reduced with telemedicine, which can be extended further with Pario to enhance its application. Telemedicine, equipped with Pario, will allow a patient to consult a doctor in a different country or even a different continent, while being able to feel one another’s physical presence with claytronic emulations. Transportation costs, along with the pollution from travel, will be cut and time previously wasted from queuing will be saved, thereby increasing efficiency in the healthcare sector, all these without being short-changed and experiencing anything less compared to a real consultation with the doctor. In fact, mortality rates may possibly lower with this new application, with more timely treatments and/or surgeries.
This can be further extended to third world countries where healthcare standards are relatively lower than that of first world countries, where facilities and equipment are less advanced and doctors and medical personnel are less adequately equipped with the relevant knowledge and skills (Shah, 2011). However, the affordability of this technology by the third world countries is a cause of concern, which will be further elaborated in the later sections below.
Another possible application in the future would be the increased efficiency and accuracy at which urgent and intricate surgeries are performed. The organs to be performed on can be magnified into claytronic replicas for the surgeon to work on in a physically more open environment. Concurrently, the claytronic replica of the surgeon will mimic the surgeon’s actions and perform the surgery accordingly (D.Abhishekh et al., 2013)

4.3         Education

“Imagination will often carry us to worlds that never were. But without it we go nowhere.”
-Carl Sagan

Even with today’s high-tech gadgets, we should realise that very little methods have touched on the learning platforms of imagination. In fact, this is very important as how one perceives information will ultimately form an image in one’s brain. This is the most basic, yet inevitable way humans learn. Claytronics can thus be the new platform for imagining and more effective and creative learning. With Claytronics, instead of visual drawings or even plain reading, images can be built with catoms and coupled together with visual details and hearing explanations, providing a whole new way to teach and learn. Additionally, it is widely known that learning centres today are centralising their resources on better teaching methods and platforms to reach out to students – with Claytronics, the learning curve would definitely become gentler.

Teleconferencing, coupled with Pario, will possibly revolutionize the classroom setting as well. Professors, in the future, can work from home, cutting transportation costs as well as saving time, without compromising on interactivity and the quality of the lesson delivered.

However, likewise as healthcare, a challenge would be to bring Claytronics to the benefit of those in third world countries who possibly are unable to afford this technology. A possible solution to this is perhaps, to tie up with non-profit organizations with similar goals to improve educational standards in developing countries. One example would be the “One Laptop per Child (OLPC)” Project, which is supported by the Cambridge-based OLPC Foundation (OLPCF) as well as the Miami-based One Laptop per Child Association (OLPCA) (Akkartal and Hamelinck, 2012). Funds were raised via the “Give 1 Get 1” Program, where donors received an XO-1 laptop for their own usage and OLPC would send another to a child in a developing country (Mariana, 2013). Currently, this project has benefited many countries across the globe in different continents. Some countries include Rwanda, Sierra Leone, Mexico, Uruguay, Afghanistan, India and Papua New Guinea (OLPC Map, n.d.). Likewise, it is possible to tie up with such non-profit organizations that are willing to invest, and distribute this technology through the ministries of education of these countries, with the goal of improving learning and education standards.  

4.4         Modelling

Given its shape-shifting abilities, Claytronics will eliminate the need for excessive consumer products. There will be no need for having a table, a chair, a bed and a couch, when one can have his needs met with Claytronics. Furniture will have double-duty and be able to morph into any form of furniture to adapt to one’s needs accordingly (Faizi and Sabonis, 2013). This goes the same for cell phones. Jason Campbell, a senior researcher at Intel, said in an interview that the Claytronics will change the way people interact with devices such as computers and cell phones in significant ways (Gaudin, 2008). Catoms can be manipulated to create a larger keypad for text messaging, or to expand its video display as needed and when not in used, be commanded to minimize into a small form for easy storage (Gaudin, 2008). In addition, because each catom has the ability to store energy, once it is configured, there will not be energy expended when one wants a certain form or shape to remain (G4TV, 2008).They can be personalized as well, with its structure moulded precisely to suit the needs of the user. Self-healing is another property; Claytronics is able to fix scratches and damages should there be any (Damus, 2012). The possibilities are endless. 

With the shape-shifting abilities of Claytronics, product designing for businesses will be made more interactive and productive. For example, the styling of a new car design can be made simultaneously, with product designers in different countries about to see, touch and modify the same model, in terms of shape, colour, length and orientation, as depicted in Figure 5.


Figure 5. Product designing possibilities, one of the many applications of Claytronics. Reproduced from The Journal of the International Association of Physics Students. (2013, July 2)
5           Potential implications

Although the applications of Claytronics are rewarding, it may pose certain unknown or unforeseen challenges for societies. This following section will therefore examine the potential health, environmental and social implications (affordability, availability and over-reliance) of Claytronics.

5.1         Health
Claytronics consists of programmable particles which cannot be seen with the naked eye. The extremely tiny size of catoms means that humans risk the very likely possibility of inhaling these catoms easily (The Energy and Resources Institute, 2010). Immunity may deteriorate as these foreign particles may cause stresses on phagocytes (white blood cells that ingest and destroy foreign matter), which might lead to inflammation and as a result, weaken the body’s defence against other pathogens. Another issue that is of concern is the possible interference of these non-biodegradable particles with biological processes of the human body should they accumulate in large masses (The Energy and Resources Institute, 2010). Also, due to the electronic nature of catoms, with each having electromagnetic communications, humans may face a health threat due to the increased electromagnetic radiation.  
In light of the above, there is an apparent risk involved when consumers and the general public are exposed to Claytronics. The occupational health of workers in charge of the production, packaging or even the transport of this technology is in danger as well. In fact, it might be the very first time in history that man can get (physically) sick from a computer virus, few decades down the road (Koks, 2008).
5.2         Environment
Given the small size of catoms, there is a possibility that they are able to get into water supplies or get released into the air during production, especially when these particles are so tiny which renders detection and control a difficult and arduous task (The Energy and Resources Institute, 2010). Being non-biodegradable, they will accumulate in the soil or water. Should animals ingest them, the food chain will be disrupted should they suffer or be at risk of health threats.
Another issue of concern would be the disposal of these catoms as waste during faults in production. There is therefore, a need for appropriate measures to be implemented such as regulation of the production, use and disposal of the excess and unwanted waste materials to deal with the aforementioned environmental concerns.
5.3         Social
5.3.1        Affordability

As a highly advanced technology, the cost of manufacturing catoms is high, especially when dealing with large objects or a person which requires millions of catoms operating together. Costs from research and development are likely to be passed down to consumers as well. Moreover, machines involved when operating this technology are also very costly. In fact, perhaps even those with above average income will not be able to afford it.

Governments and companies are probably the only few entities that would be able to afford such equipment at such high costs. Therein lies the problem - If only the rich and powerful are able to afford it, what good can it serve to the general public? Will such a project be sustainable at such high costs? Unless scientists manage to find a way to power up these catoms to serve their purpose in a cheap and affordable way, it is highly unlikely that Claytronics will be affordable to the general public. Ultimately, the question is whether consumers are willing and able to venture into and invest in this technology given its high costs.

Fortunately, the typical pattern with new technologies is that they become cheaper over time (Bostrom, 2011). Initially, due to high initial costs in research and development, it is most likely that only those who have the resources, skills and the willingness to use new tools are able to benefit from these new technologies. But over time, costs fall and more people can afford them, just like in the field of consumer electronics, where the price of digital devices that were cutting-edge a few years ago drops as new technologies surface (Bostrom, 2011). Hopefully, the cost of using Claytronics will reduce over the years after the high initial costs in research and development are covered and stabilize in the market in the future for the benefit of the general public.    

5.3.2        Availability

As with accordance to affordability, materials needed to build the machines required to power up catoms must be easily accessible for this project to be sustainable in the long term. However, this remains a puzzle to be solved as the project is still underway, hence machinery required to use Claytronics are not yet finalised.

However, the biggest problem lies with the usage of nanotechnology in Claytronics. It is a plain fact that nanotechnology is not open for usage for the general public. Also, given the risks involved relating to human health and safety, there has been calls for tighter regulation of nanotechnology as well (Holdren et al., 2011). Thus, use of nanotechnology is definitely limited and this questions the usability of Claytronics.

Moreover, as an advanced technology, not many scientists may possess the knowledge to use machinery to control the catoms; some may even not know of its existence. Hence, only a selected few of scientists involved in the invention process will be skilled enough to use Claytronics. How such knowledge will be disseminated to other scientists will also affect its accessibility. Mass-production of Claytronics is an issue of consideration.

5.3.3        Over-reliance
Claytronics paves a new way of human-computer interaction so real that one may not be able to differentiate it from human-human interaction. Assuming that Claytronics is readily available and affordable to the general public, this marriage between the tangible and intangible brings about many benefits but there is a need to be cautious that such usage on this technology does not extend to over-reliance on it such that the occurrence of authentic human interaction is reduced.
6           Conclusions

In summary, Claytronics will introduce thrilling changes in the lives of man in many major industries across the globe, including healthcare, education, modelling and especially, telecommunications. We need to take precautions, however, in light of the potential drawbacks Claytronics poses. Overall, this field still has much potential which remains to be explored. It would be fascinating to watch how this technology unfolds in the future, where imagination translates to reality. The possibilities are boundless. Claytronics, the human experience redefined indeed.

7           References 

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[1] This paper was reviewed by Lwee Yong Xin Michael and Suherman Kartika Sari.