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Explore the grand challenges and game-changing technologies of future computing, including quantum computing, self-configuring robotics, nanotechnology, and the search for the next killer app.
                
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CMSC 100 The Future of Computing: Grand Challenges and the Next Killer Apps Professor Marie desJardins Thursday, November 29, 2012 1 Future of Computing Thu 11/29/12
The Future of Computing  What are the “grand challenges” of computing---our next generation of big problems to solve?  What are some technologies on the horizon that may be “game- changing”? Quantum computing Self-configuring robotics and “smart matter” Nanotechnology     What is the next “killer app”? Future of Computing 2 Thu 11/29/12
Grand Challenges: CRA 2002  In 2002, the Computing Research Association held a conference to identify Grand Challenges for computing 1. Systems You Can Count On Global, scalable, persistent, reliable, efficient networks 2. A Teacher for Every Learner Scalable, learner-centered distance learning/collaboration 3. Ubiquitous Safety.net Disaster prediction, prevention, mitigation, and response 4. Conquering System Complexity Self-configuring, -optimizing, -maintaining, -healing systems 5. Build a Team of Your Own Augmented cognition: human/machine “cognitive partnerships”      Future of Computing 3 Thu 11/29/12
Grand Challenges: UKCRC 2009  The UK Computing Research Committee has identified eight Grand Challenges for computer science 1. In Vivo  In Silico (virtual organisms) 2. Science for Ubiquitous Global Computing 3. Memories for Life (storing/searching pictures, video, email, ...) 4. Architecture of Brain and Mind 5. Dependable Systems Evolution 6. Journeys In Non-Classical Computing (biological/natural) 7. Learning for Life 8. Bringing the Past to Life for the Citizen http://www.ukcrc.org.uk/grand-challenge/current.cfm Future of Computing 4 Thu 11/29/12
Quantum Computing  Bits can’t get any smaller  But electrons can be in multiple quantum states simultaneously (“superpositioning”) qubit: can be in 2 states at once 2 qubits: 4 states at once n qubits: 2nstates at once!   In effect, we can build massively parallel computers!  SciAm Special: How Do Quantum Computers Work?  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hSr7hyOHO1Q&feature=relate d    Images: ams.org Future of Computing 5 Thu 11/29/12
Self-Configuring Systems  Quadrotors (University of Pennsylvania) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YQIMGV5vtd4   More nifty self-configuring robots: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SkvpEfAPXn4&feature=fvw  Image: discovermagazine.com Future of Computing 6 Thu 11/29/12
Nanotechnology  “Nano” refers to the scale of these systems: 1nm = 10-9meters = one billionth of a meter Carbon-carbon bonds are about .15 nm A DNA molecule has a diameter of about 2nm The smallest cellular life form is about 200nm across  “Nanotechnology”: Devices that are smaller than ~100nm  First mention of nanotechnology (not by that name): Richard Feynman, 1959 talk  First nanotechnology: Fullerenes (discovered in 1985) – carbon molecules forming a hollow structure (sphere, ellipsoid, tube) “Buckyball” – spherical fullerene (both named after Buckminster Fuller, inventor of the geodesic dome) These are actually used today in manufacturing Images: godunov.com, answers.com Future of Computing         7 Thu 11/29/12
Approaches to Nanotechnology  Self-assembly Like the self-configuring systems we saw at the macro level!   Top-down design of “molecular machines” We can program these nanomachines!  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fkTXefpkXCQ Nanorobotics 3D printing     http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jlq5R84TlVw&feature=related Applications: manufacturing, environmental remediation, medical treatment...  Future of Computing 8 Thu 11/29/12
Killer App  A “killer app” is a paradigm-shifting technology application  Lots of things have been referred to as “killer apps”: Spreadsheets Email The Web Google Word processing      Images: celecus.com, logic.stanford.edu, google.com Future of Computing 9 Thu 11/29/12
What’s the Newest Killer App?  A Google search on “Next Killer App” reveals the following “killer apps” from the last few years: Business Week 2007   Paperless maps (GPS) Mashable.com 2010   Social media games blogs.oracle.com 2011   NFC proximity-based phone payments Mashable.com 2012: Killer Apps for Engineering and Science Majors   Knowledge modeling and visualization tools: MonsterAnatomyHD, GeneIndexHD, 3D Brain... Future of Computing 10 Thu 11/29/12
What’s the Next Killer App?  Here are some of the “next killer apps” as cited by 2012 sources: EETimes.com:   Machines that see: embedded vision CNN:   TV’s next killer app: instant weather reports Forbes:   iWallet, “cloud lockers” (Dropbox), custom apps NPD Group:   Apple Lightning connector Bloomberg:   Maps and navigation Future of Computing 11 Thu 11/29/12
The Next Killer App: Google Earth?  Google Earth application: Security watch http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_J7qE6frzz8   Google Earth 5 – 3D Mars! http://goggleearthvideos.magnify.net/video/Google-Earth-5-3D-Mars   Google Earth Zooms Too Close video: http://www.break.com/index/google-earth-zooms-too-close.html  Future of Computing 12 Thu 11/29/12