Five economic activities likely to dominate the new millennium: IV mega-materials era

This article, the fourth in a continuing series of six, describes mega-mate rial technologies, including the ability to deconstruct and reconstruct mat ter at atomic and subatomic levels to achieve desired properties, that will radically transform the physical sciences ranging from architecture to an alchemist's wildest dreams. Advanced understanding of the biochemistry of l ife's instructional genetic codes will be followed by parallel developments in physics and chemistry involving mastery over quantum mechanics that ena ble construction of "designer" materials. Harnessing nanotechnologies will introduce new and novel echelons of artifacts that previously were the stuf f of science fiction. Fully understanding and adroitly manipulating subatom ic matter will require considerable time. Taking these technologies to a do minant position and role in the economy may come about between 2200-2300. ( C) 2001 Elsevier Science Inc.