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In this issue. . .

   * Picture-Perfect Displays
   * No More Cables
   * Polymers to Repair Spinal Discs
   * eLearning in a Weak Economy
   * Ever-Shrinking Data Storage
   * Sustainable Buildings That Earn Their Keep
   * Machine Intelligence in Decision Making
   * Carbon Nanotubes for Electronic Circuits
   * A Mixed Bag of Scan Topics
   * Disappointing Progress in Lithium-Polymer Batteries


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(Full text of SRIC-BI publications is available to
sponsoring clients only.  To find out if your company is a
sponsor, please visit http://www.sric-bi.com/info.shtml.)
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Picture-Perfect Displays

People increasingly expect picture-perfect performance from
their computer monitors, TVs, projectors, and handheld
devices. To satisfy these increasingly discriminating users,
display manufacturers need to continue improving flat-screen
technologies and bring down costs. (Next-Generation Displays)
http://www.sric-bi.com/DF/summaries/NextGenDisp0601.shtml


No More Cables 

In a wireless local-area network, employees can take their
handhelds into a meeting while staying connected to their
desktop PCs or corporate databases. Use of wireless LANs is
spreading fast because the networks are easy to install and
easy to integrate with wired systems. (The Future of
Wireless LANs)
http://www.sric-bi.com/BIP/Bulletin/B296.shtml#2328


Polymers to Repair Spinal Discs

Given the high cost of treating low-back pain, companies are
eager to tap into the potentially explosive market for
solutions. One such company, Protein Polymer Technologies,
is working on an adhesive and sealant technology that 
uses synthetic protein polymers to treat orthopedic
conditions like damaged spinal discs. (June 2001 Biomaterials 
Viewpoints) 
http://www.sric-bi.com/Explorer/BM.shtml


eLearning in a Weak Economy

The economic slowdown does not appear to be cutting into
eLearning providers’ revenues as drastically as it is in
other information-technology areas. Nonetheless, recent
high-profile bankruptcies in the industry point to the 
dangers of relying on unproven business models or
far-reaching innovations in a weak economy. (LoD Bulletin, 
Second Quarter 2001)
http://www.sric-bi.com/LoD/bulletins.shtml


Ever-Shrinking Data Storage

Magnetic media are now doubling capacity every 12 months.
Three contenders—holographic storage, 3-D storage, and
molecular-array read/write technology—are waiting in the
wings but will succeed only if they commercialize fast
enough to outpace magnetic technologies’ accelerating 
density curve. (The Competitive World of Storage Technologies)
http://www.sric-bi.com/BIP/Bulletin/B296.shtml#2329


Sustainable Buildings That Earn Their Keep

Nike, Ford Motor Company, and other large multinationals are
finding that reducing their consumption of resources,
recycling, and reducing pollution not only do right by the
environment but also increase profitability in many 
instances. As a result, they are coming up with creative
ways to promote sustainability in their building designs and
business processes. (The Business Payoffs of Sustainable
Building Design)
http://www.sric-bi.com/BIP/Bulletin/B296.shtml#2330


Machine Intelligence in Decision Making

The esoteric study of Bayesian belief networks(BBN)is
beginning to have real-world payoffs. With their ability to
deal with uncertainty, BBN-based systems can help users make
smart predictions or decisions even when key pieces of 
information are missing. As a result, they are increasingly
finding use in user interfaces, Web and database searching,
intelligent-agent systems, and health-care diagnostic
systems. (Bayesian Belief Networks: A Tool for Business
Intelligence)
http://www.sric-bi.com/BIP/Bulletin/B296.shtml#2331


Carbon Nanotubes for Electronic Circuits

Scientists recently solved a key problem in making
electronic circuits from tiny tubes of carbon: how to lay
down many tubes quickly—in the right pattern—on a silicon
chip. This step moves the computing industry closer to a 
new generation of faster, more powerful computers with
working parts the size of molecules. (June 2001 
High-Performance Computing Viewpoints)
http://www.sric-bi.com/Explorer/HPC.shtml


A Mixed Bag of Scan Topics

Analysts in SRIC-BI’s European office discussed some
compelling questions at a recent Scan meeting. Why are the
Japanese more receptive to consumer robots than are European
and U.S. consumers? How can companies reduce their liability
for new inventions? How will looming water shortages alter
water economics around the world? (Europe Scan: May 2001)
http://www.sric-bi.com/BIP/Bulletin/B296.shtml#2332


Disappointing Progress in Lithium-Polymer Batteries

Many companies that expected to commercialize
lithium-polymer batteries in 2000 failed to deliver, though
the technology had some success in cellular phones.
Nonetheless, companies see attractive prospects for the
batteries in portable computers, handheld devices, and
wearable computers and electronic clothing. (June 2001 
Portable Batteries Viewpoints)
http://www.sric-bi.com/Explorer/PB.shtml


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Copyright 2001 by SRI Consulting Business Intelligence.