In the not-so-distant future of 2050, humanity stands at the threshold of a new era, one where the principles of sustainability are no longer just lofty ideals but fundamental pillars upon which our society is built. One of the key drivers of this transformation lies in the redefinition of advanced materials. Imagine a world where every product we use, every structure we inhabit, is crafted from materials that not only serve their intended purpose with unparalleled efficiency but also leave behind a positive impact on the environment. This is the vision that drives innovation in the realm of advanced materials – materials that are not just strong, light, or flexible, but materials that are sustainable to their core.
But perhaps even more revolutionary than the materials themselves is the way in which they are produced. In the sustainable society of 2050, traditional manufacturing processes – with their heavy reliance on fossil fuels and wasteful practices – have been replaced by cutting-edge techniques that harness the power of renewable energy and biomimicry. As we journey towards this sustainable future, the redefinition of advanced materials will play a crucial role in shaping the world that awaits us.
This Spring, the AMULET project in collaboration with the AMULET ambassadors, hosted a workshop in Barcelona to gain an insight into experts’ visions for the future of advanced materials. Roundtables of experts from the AMULET project and its ambassadors pooled their knowledge and expertise together to create exciting futures based on real industry foresights, results from innovative projects, and some storytelling, imagination and desires.
Workshop participants investigated the specifics of future advanced materials — imagining their appearance, composition, power sources, drivers, and the prevailing policies and societal perceptions surrounding transport and mobility. The objective was to craft a scenario that was not only desirable but also feasible, encapsulating both ambition and achievability.
We invite you to read a very interesting article summarising the AMULET Liaison Office workshop in Barcelona prepared by:
Author: Indira Altynbekova (Bax)
Contributors:
Agnieszka Matuszak (BIC), Amélie Gousseau (Polymeris), Carme Balcells (Centro Español de Plásticos – CEP), Ferenc Fedor (Cluster of Applied Earth Science – CAPES), Magdalena Valldosera (Cluster MAV), Nicolò Bertolini (Cluster-MECH), Ona Bombí (Cluster MAV), Piotr Wojciechowski (BIC), Roxane Girard (Polymeris), Rudolf Szigeti (SWHEC).
