Placing US Air Force Information Technology Investment Under the "Nanoscope" A Clear Vision of Nanotechnology's Impact on Computing in 2030
Abstract
The US Air Force (USAF) faces mounting fiscal challenges due to continuing Global War on Terror requirements, pressing system recapitalization needs and competing demands from other federal agencies. To properly invest its scarce resources toward mission success, the USAF should strive to anticipate the future of technology. When two or more technology areas converge, paradigm shifts often occur that alter established boundaries enabling revolutionary changes. For example, the merging of information technology (IT) and biotechnology has spawned "bioinformatics" and a genomics revolution. This study explores the revolutionary change anticipated with the convergence of nanotechnology and IT as well as its effect on the USAF. The emerging revolution of nanotechnology is expected to stimulate enormous improvements in IT capabilities, far beyond those possible with silicon-based electronics. This research paper uses the Delphi method, a technology forecasting approach that combines the opinions of a panel of subject-matter experts, to determine the most probable future state of nanotechnology in the realm of IT in the year 2030. The intent is to educate key USAF decision makers and planners on this critical topic while advancing the technical community's understanding based on the elite panelists assembled.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Apr 01, 2007
- Accession Number
- ADA497512
Entities
People
- Joseph H. Imwalle
Organizations
- Air War College