Editorial

Abstract

In earlier issues, I have written about the importance of transdisciplinarity. Different industries move at different paces and some develop technologies much more quickly than others. Cross-sector learning provides vital intersections of knowledge. So what will be the shape of things to come? In previous editorials I have stressed the importance of the Fourth Industrial Revolution but here is another view very closely related. According to Clive Cookson in the FT 4th January 2020, there are five primary scenarios from which other disciplines may learn. Cosmology and space science uses advanced instrumentation which may have lessons for environmental measurements on Earth. In buildings and architecture as we measure more we need to use the most reliable methods which produce useful data with built-in analytics. Artificial intelligence with deep learning programmes and self-generative algorithms can assist in planning, design and operating machines or buildings. Robots can already carry out many tasks such as systems maintenance for example. Digital assistants can relieve people of repetitive administrative work. Patterns in neuroscience are entering many fields including architecture. How connectivity works with billions of neurones to structure human intelligence is a wonder to behold. Imagine neurones as proxies for people then perhaps we can plan cities with ideal connectivity like a healthy brain. Medicine is a priority for Governments and attracts finance. The coronavirus has quickly been very quickly a source of considerable finance. Research in stem cell and gene therapy are just some examples which will lead to discoveries which will over spill into other fields. You can now shop with your DNA using a wrist band which can be used to identify healthy food choices to match your personal DNA profile. This could be a real progressive step to helping people to improve their health and wellbeing. Another area is the growing use of wearables to self-monitor health. Climate change has a chorus of urgency proclamations but actions towards the use of renewals and extinguishing reliance on fossil fuels is still too slow. At present renewables supply about 26% of the global power and this is expected to rise to 30% by 2024 (Towards a Sustainable Future by D. Elliott in Physics World, January 2020, page 19). Energy storage requires a breakthrough. Grid balancing and demand management are other areas under development. The energy mix still needs some inputs from nuclear. There are major research programmes in nuclear fusion which overcome many of the disadvantages of nuclear fission. Much more investment is needed if we are to meet the COP targets and the various zero-carbon deadlines mooted by different countries between 2030 and 2050. However, all these aspirations can fail if there is another global downturn. Human activities at various levels have accelerated climate change beyond the natural cycles of change observed over millennia. Governments, communities and individuals are all involved and have responsibilities if we are to meet net-zero carbon whether we speak of energy, waste or water production and consumptions. Human behaviour is difficult to model as pointed out by Lord Broers in the Winter-Spring 2020 issue of the Journal of the UK Parliamentary and Scientific Committee (All-Party Parliamentary Group) and needs chaos theory to model it because it is a nonlinear dynamic system. Papers on this were published in this journal in 2012. So many times we hear the phrase we must think holistically. An example here is the push to promote electric cars which will reduce but not eliminate pollution. However, if the generation of electricity is from fossil fuel power stations it will not be a zero-carbon solution but merely a reduction of carbon at the delivery end whilst increasing it at the source. The need for power stations driven by