In celebration of Scotland’s first National Innovation Week, Technology Scotland are highlighting the role of critical technologies in meeting our national innovation ambitions.

Linked to the four daily themes across Innovation Week:

  • Monday 22 September – advanced manufacturing
  • Tuesday 23 September – data and digital technologies
  • Wednesday 24 September – health and life sciences
  • Friday 26 September – energy transition

we explore below the vital impact photonics, quantum, semiconductor and connectivity & sensing technologies are having on our industries of the future. Thursday of this week will see the National Innovation Summit take place, the flagship event of National Innovation Week 2025.

From providing the ‘eyes’ of our future robotic systems to quantum enabled imaging techniques for improved medical diagnostics, the impact of critical technologies will be felt right across our society and economy.

Although these technologies remain largely invisible to the public, they form an important base for critical supply chains in life sciences, space, future automotive, energy, communications and defence and security. They will support every part of our future living, will be essential in our efforts to tackle the climate emergency, and vital to our future security and economic independence.

Scotland’s Critical Technologies Supercluster

Scotland is home to a Supercluster in Critical Technologies, a constellation of overlapping and mutually supporting technology sub sectors – photonics, quantum, semiconductors, and wireless and sensing technologies.

Although these technologies remain largely invisible to the public, they form an important base for critical supply chains in life sciences, space, future automotive, energy, communications and defence and security. They will also be essential in our efforts to tackle the climate emergency and meet our collective net zero ambitions.

The supercluster currently generates £4.2bn in revenues for Scotland, with over 150 companies supporting nearly 11,000 jobs at salaries significantly above the Scottish average. This aggregation of expertise, unparalleled anywhere else in the UK, has been recognised by both Scottish and UK Governments and has been identified as one of Scotland’s Key Strategic Industry Clusters.

Advanced manufacturing

Perception

Imaging and sensing systems allow robots to interpret the world around them, providing the ‘eyes’ of our future automated systems.

Manufacturing systems

Advances in high-speed communication technologies are allowing systems to interface more effectively, creating ‘automated teams’ that can work on shared tasks.

Movement/speed

Semiconductors underpin rapid data processing and real-time feedback that allows precise movement control for advanced manufacturing applications.

Safety

Critical technologies are vital to the safe implementation of automated systems, underpinning sensing systems that allow robots to work safely alongside human partners.

Security

Quantum encryption will secure advanced manufacturing networks, ensuring that potentially dangerous systems are protected from malicious interference.

Data and Digital Technologies

Mobile phones

From displays and camera systems to facial recognition and wireless charging, our smart phones are littered with devices underpinned by critical technologies.

High speed internet

Optical fibres use light to transfer data over long distances at high speed, offering significant speed and bandwidth advantages over traditional copper cables.

Data centres

The backbone of our data economy could not exist without critical technologies and advances in these technologies will improve their efficiency in future.

Wireless communications

Our demand for ubiquitous connectivity will be met by a range of communications services, including WiFi, LiFi, 5G/6G and satellite.

Security

Quantum cryptography, including Quantum Key Distribution (QKD), will secure our communications, ensuring our sensitive data is protected from malicious interference

Health and Life Sciences

Medical imaging

Quantum enabled techniques allow imaging through human tissue, providing an opportunity for cheaper, more portable non-invasive diagnostics.

Wearable devices

Critical technologies underpin functionality in fitness trackers and medical sensors that enable early detection of issues before they become emergencies.

Laser and robotic surgery

Advances in laser surgery and robotics techniques are improving outcomes of complicated surgical procedures.

Diagnostics

Photonics sensors are used to identify key markers in biological samples, allowing early detection of serious illness including cancer.

Remote monitoring

Advancements in connectivity and sensing are allowing continuous real-time monitoring of patient data, reducing the need for frequent healthcare visits.

Energy Transition

Electric vehicles

Semiconductors are driving our electric revolution by facilitating the conversion of battery energy to power electric vehicle motors.

Renewable energy

Advanced semiconductor materials manage the flow of electricity from renewable sources to the grid, allowing seamless integration of multiple energy sources.

Environmental monitoring

Photonics technologies enable accurate monitoring of air and water quality by identifying trace levels of pollutants and greenhouse gases.

Agriculture

Vertical farming is securing our future food supply by creating regulated, indoor environments that allow optimised food production in any location.

Recycling

Optical sorting uses lasers and camera systems to identify the structural and chemical properties of materials to allow more efficient recycling of plastics.