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In this issue:

  * New Wireless Futures Program
  * One-Stop Shopping for Financial Services
  * Flexible Solar Cells for Portable Applications
  * Commercial Prospects for Nanomaterials
  * Wireless Technology for Robots
  * The Potential of Human Stem Cells
  * Signals of Change
  * Collaboration to Support Nanobiotechnology Development
  * Interest in Biofuel Cells
  * Clean-Water Resources

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--------------
 SRIC-BI News
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New Wireless Futures Program

Recognizing that the universe of wireless opportunities 
is much larger than that of cellular-phone service, 
SRIC-BI is starting a research and advisory program to 
help businesses make sense of chaotic wireless markets 
and develop new opportunities. Sponsors of the one-year 
program will receive monthly commentary about important 
events in wireless futures, one presentation on their 
premises or at one of SRIC-BI's offices, two days of 
consulting and inquiries, and reports on small-company 
wireless strategies, competitive arenas, and wireless 
opportunities. 
http://www.sric-bi.com/WF/



---------------------
 Recent Publications
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One-Stop Shopping for Financial Services

MacroMonitor data show that though consumers like the 
idea of consolidating their financial dealings with one 
institution, trust issues and the need for diversification 
work against their doing so. Financial institutions, for 
their part, have not had overnight success with cross-
selling and need to train employees to go beyond basic 
customer service. They must also earn the loyalty and 
trust of their core customers by providing products and 
services that serve their customers' best interests. 
(Cross-Selling, Consolidation, and Aggregation: Progress 
Report for Financial Convergence)
http://www.sric-bi.com/CFD/MRsummaries/MR.VI-10.shtml


Flexible Solar Cells for Portable Applications

Flexible organic solar cells have the potential to become 
major competitors to conventional batteries in portable 
products. Although the technology is still at an early 
stage of development, the ability to use organic 
materials--such as light-absorbing polymers--instead of 
expensive silicon to produce solar cells promises 
significantly cheaper photovoltaic devices and lower 
processing costs. (August 2004 Portable Batteries 
Viewpoints)
http://www.sric-bi.com/Explorer/PB.shtml


Commercial Prospects for Nanomaterials

Though nanomaterials already exist in their natural form, 
the real challenge for materials scientists is to 
synthesize nanomaterials and nano-related structures and 
devices in efficient and cheap ways. By reducing the 
dimensions of structures, scientists can create entities--
such as carbon nanotubes, quantum dots, thin films, laser 
emitters, and resonance-tunneling transistors--with unique 
properties and tremendous commercial potential. 
(Commercial Prospects for Nanomaterials)
http://www.sric-bi.com/Scan/ScanMonthly/SM018.shtml#D04-2482


Wireless Technology for Robots

Progress in wireless technology could help accelerate 
robotics research and market development by enabling 
effective communications systems. Wireless technology can 
relay information from mobile robots to fixed devices, 
connect robots and "daughter" devices that they leave 
behind and pick up, inform robots of places to recharge, 
link people to remotely operated robots, and simplify 
assembly of robots by reducing or eliminating wiring 
harnesses. (August 2004 Robotics Viewpoints)
http://www.sric-bi.com/Explorer/ROBO.shtml


The Potential of Human Stem Cells

The ability to regenerate failing tissue would enable 
medical researchers to devise means of treating diseases 
like cancer, heart disease, Alzheimer's disease, diabetes, 
and arthritis. Embryonic stem cells offer particular 
potential in this area. The stem cells are nonaging and 
infinitely self-renewing, can self-replicate indefinitely 
in culture, and can develop into any human tissue. Given 
significant funding and research, scientists could develop 
methods of personalized tissue replacement. (The 
Regenerative Power of Human Stem Cells)
http://www.sric-bi.com/Scan/ScanMonthly/SM018.shtml#D04-2483


Signals of Change

Developers, content providers, and retailers are finding 
new ways to mix media, coming up with mobile television 
for cell phones, for example, and video file-sharing 
products. The latest issue of Scan(TM) Monthly discusses 
the implications of this and other signals of change, 
including reasons for caution in using voice over Internet 
protocol, electronic devices in clothing, and efforts to 
sell serenity to consumers in products and services. 
(Scan(TM) Monthly, August 2004)
http://www.sric-bi.com/Scan/ScanMonthly/SM018.shtml#SoCs


Collaboration to Support Nanobiotechnology Development

Stifling costs and legal uncertainties impede efforts to 
develop nanobiotechnology products, and regulatory 
frameworks are necessary for the testing, approval, and 
sale of such products. The Converging Technologies Bar 
Association has formed to bring together legal, 
scientific, engineering, business, financial, government, 
and academic communities to collaborate on ethical, legal, 
and social issues that might arise from the convergence 
of nanotechnology, biotechnology, and information 
technology. (August 2004 Nanobiotechnology Viewpoints)
http://www.sric-bi.com/Explorer/NB.shtml


Interest in Biofuel Cells

Demand for clean energy from renewable resources is 
rising, as is the need for small, lightweight power 
sources to provide power in remote areas or to power 
small devices. Biofuel cells fit the bill in both cases 
and may in fact be the only technology capable of 
providing power at the scale necessary for very small 
devices. Biofuel cells promise to be less expensive than 
conventional fuel cells and to fuel processes that are 
easier and safer than those for conventional fuel cells. 
(Recent Developments in Biofuel Cells)
http://www.sric-bi.com/Scan/ScanMonthly/SM018.shtml#D04-2484


Clean-Water Resources

Although some advocacy groups have sounded an alarm about 
impending water scarcity, opportunities exist to optimize 
remaining clean-water resources through conservation, 
reuse, and a reordering of market mechanisms and 
priorities. Companies are wise to track this revaluing of 
water and to develop flexible strategies for dealing with 
the uncertainties surrounding clean-water issues. 
(Revaluing Water: 2004)
http://www.sric-bi.com/Scan/ScanMonthly/SM018.shtml#D04-2485


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Copyright 2004 by SRI Consulting Business Intelligence.

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