INNOVATION FOR THE NATIONS
Hope for the future has arisen from the turmoil of the last few months, as industrial technologies have spun out some marvels of late.

What may have previously been considered the realm of science fiction is slowly making its way into the world of industrial manufacturing. Previously we reported on the rise of space tourism, and now we bring our focus to bear on smaller, but equally ambitious projects seemingly pulled from the oeuvre of Philip K Dick.
This issue of Industrial Focus homes in on those innovations and emerging technologies that are buoying markets, provoking a presence of esteem and hopefully bringing an end to the clouds that have hung over everyone’s heads. One of the more fascinating applications of printed electronics, a currently nascent area of technology that is seeing large amounts of research investment, is its capacity to deliver results on matters of human health. The flexible technology has recently been patented by Kodak for medicinal purposes, where edible electronics may be able to assist in remedying maladies. This cross-over from the frivolous to real world application – evinced in computer games being used as practice for surgical operations – is an area of industrial technology that promises to yield incredible results.
We also have a treat in store as Professor Noel Sharkey contributes once again to inform us of the future of war, painting a devastating image of the contemporary use of robots in modern warfare. We have financial advice from Dr Richard Welling of the Institute of Economic Affairs on how markets may transpire, and what governments can do to help those markets. Ian Wright, professional tax consultant, has also offered his opinion on some tax issues that should be of use to anyone on any rung of the business and industry ladder.
One of the most controversial issues of the day is migration: and so we tackle it head on. It is essential that movement across Europe works freely, in order that labour markets are not left wanting and industry can thrive against the continent’s major competitors. We offer a fresh perspective on some of the laws that have been passed in Brussels and which are shaping current migration policy. Increasingly we are seeing how some overbearing and often ill-informed points of view are influencing the attitudes of many. In order to restore some balance to this teetering debate we requested the opinions of industry heads and politicians; which should be informative enough to create your own perspective on this crucial debate.
The Industrial Focus office is buzzing with the excitement generated by new developments and has been lifted by the amount of creativity exhibited on the market at the minute – we hope it rubs off on our readers.

Industrial Focus May/June 2008