From plasma-driven aerodynamics to exo-planetary searches, the greatest innovations of our time could be those yet to come

NEW YORK, Oct. 25, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Technology thought-leaders from the aerospace industry, government, science, and academia contributed more than a dozen forward-looking essays to this week's Aviation Week & Space Technology, offering readers a glimpse into many of the innovations that may evolve as soon as 25-30 years from now. A slideshow of what they envision is available at http://aviationweek.com/innovation, with deeper, exclusive content available to Aviation Week Intelligence Network (AWIN) subscribers.

"Industry has become increasingly short-term oriented and risk-averse, while the U.S. and many other nations find themselves mired in a financial crisis of immense proportions," said Tony Velocci, Jr., editor-in-chief of Aviation Week & Space Technology. "The temptation to scale back funding for both basic and applied research has never been greater — a dangerous slippery slope that the private sector and policy makers must resist. With the proper spirit of technology innovations and adequate R&D funding on a sustained basis, it would seem there are no limits to what is possible."

Aviation Week's "Imagine the Future" report takes readers through the authors' imaginations and showcases their concepts, such as plasma-driven aerodynamics for smarter, faster control; swarming miniature UAVs; using the fabric of space-time for propulsion; extra-solar planetary research; and nano-engineered metametals. "This first-of-its-kind issue explores how advanced technologies could shape the world to come," Velocci added.

For more information and to view the slideshow, visit http://aviationweek.com/innovation. You can also share your own thoughts on Twitter with #awimagine, visit Aviation Week's Leading Edge blog for discussions of the most stimulating ideas and technologies, and join Aviation Week at the Innovation Challenge Showcase on March 15-16, 2012 in Orlando, FL.

About Aviation Week:

Aviation Week, part of The McGraw-Hill Companies, is the largest multimedia information and services provider to the global aviation, aerospace and defense industries, and includes http://AviationWeek.com, Aviation Week & Space Technology, Defense Technology International, Business & Commercial Aviation, Overhaul & Maintenance, ShowNews, Aviation Daily, Aerospace Daily & Defense Report, The Weekly of Business Aviation, Aviation Week Intelligence Network, and MRO Links. The group also produces major events around the world.

About The McGraw-Hill Companies:

Founded in 1888, The McGraw-Hill Companies (NYSE: MHP) is a leading global financial information and education company that helps professionals and students succeed in the knowledge economy. With leading brands including Standard & Poor's, McGraw-Hill Education, Platts energy information services and J.D. Power and Associates, the Corporation has approximately 21,000 employees with more than 280 offices in 40 countries. Sales in 2010 were $6.2 billion. Additional information is available at www.mcgraw-hill.com.

SOURCE Aviation Week

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