The 10 Priority Key Enabling Technologies

In the NTS, ten priority key enabling technologies are identified. These are technologies with a strong base in the Netherlands, which contribute considerably to our earning power, contribute to solving societal challenges and are important for national security.

Optical Systems and Integrated Photonics

Optical systems are engineered systems to refract, reflect or manipulate light to perform particular optical functions. For example, communication is possible using photons as information carriers. Integrated photonics is the technology that integrates various photonic functions (generation, modulation, sensing, etc.) in a functional photonic chip.

Quantum Technologies

Quantum technologies utilise the dual nature of the smallest particles we know, such as photons, atoms and electrons, as well as similar systems that exhibit quantum properties. They facilitate the quantum computer, quantum communication and quantum sensing, which can be used to find solutions to complex problems.

Process Technology, Including Process Intensification

This key enabling technology focuses on the optimal, stable and safe design of (green) chemical production processes. This includes matters such as: scalability, heat integration, safety, optimal downstream processing, space utilisation and cost efficiency. We want to make more use of sustainable raw materials, reduce by-products and waste streams and reuse and recycle them as much as possible.

Biomolecular and Cell Technologies

Biomolecular and cell technologies fall within the broader field of biotechnology, but the focus here is on molecules and cells. This key technology includes mapping, measuring and using molecules such as DNA, RNA, and proteins/metabolites. Sub-technologies include omics, gene editing, stem cell technology and synthetic cell technology.

Imaging Technologies

Imaging technologies deal with the generation, collection, duplication, analysis, modification and visualisation of images (optical and non-optical). They involve the integral chain of imaging, requiring both hardware and software. They are widely used in the medical sector, semiconductor industry, security domain, agriculture, industry, traffic and aerospace.

Mechatronics and Optomechatronics

Mechatronics involves the integrated design of mechanical systems and associated control and regulation systems and combines physics, mechanical and electrical engineering, and ICT. Optomechatronics involves the integration of optical technology into mechatronic systems. Optomechatronic systems play an important role in semiconductor manufacturing, scientific instruments, 3D printing, medical equipment, aerospace and robotics.

Artificial Intelligence and Data

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is a systems technology aimed at realising behaviour by machines that resembles natural intelligence. Data science, data analytics and data spaces concern all aspects of collecting, managing, accessing, sharing and analysing data to create value.

Energy Materials

Energy materials comprise all materials that facilitate the storage of (sustainably generated) energy, transport it, efficiently capture and transform it into another form of stored energy. They make an essential contribution to the energy and climate transition, for example in wind turbines, batteries or electrolysers.

Semiconductor Technologies

Semiconductor technologies concern semiconductor components and/or highly miniaturised electronic subsystems and their integration into larger products and systems. They include the fabrication, design, packaging and testing of semiconductor components into microscale systems that integrate multiple functions on a chip and the development of machines for this purpose.

Cybersecurity Technologies

Cyber security technologies focus on the reduction of relevant digital risks, also including dealing with risks of damage or failure of digital systems and the availability, integrity and confidentiality of data. They are aimed at preventing cyber incidents and - when cyber incidents have occurred - detecting them, mitigating damage and making recovery easier.

Want to know more? Check out the website of the Knowledge and Innovation Agenda for Key Enabling Technologies.