Everything, everywhere

This week's forward-looking science and computing special takes 2020 as the iconic future date, which is now seen as possible for what was unimaginable until recently, the practical quantum computer, and ‘smart dust’: tiny sensors that monitor everything everywhere.

Abstract

Tiny computers that constantly monitor ecosystems, buildings and even human bodies could turn science on its head. Declan Butler investigates. This week's forward-looking science and computing special takes 2020 as the iconic future date. If the rate of progress in the computing industry is any guide, within 15 years nano-scale circuits will be a reality. And 2020 is now seen as possible for what was unimaginable until recently, the practical quantum computer. Another imminent revolution is 'smart dust': tiny sensors that monitor everything everywhere. Stephen Muggleton welcomes the data bonanza generated by automation, but argues that science is an essentially human activity and that progress brings its dangers. Hugo-award-winning novelist Vernor Vinge ponders a future we can barely imagine. Alexander Szalay and Jim Gray argue that we are nearing the limit of what one research group can achieve in data handling. Roger Brent and Jehoshuah Bruck ask what computer science can contribute to biological research and Ian Foster reviews the two-way relationship between science and computing.