2.7 Next-gen energy domain Next-gen energy represents a fundamental shift in how energy is generated, distributed and used. In a business world shaped by the energy transition, these technologies offer a pathway towards accelerating tech innovation and scalability. Their success depends on interoperability and integration across platforms and protocols, which are key to ensuring traceability and transparency across global value chains and building a more sustainable, efficient and resilient energy ecosystem at scale. Innovative approaches like peer-to-peer energy trading and dynamic load-balancing systems are driving more decentralized and adaptive energy distribution, while advanced thermal energy storage is enhancing efficiency and sustainability. Meanwhile, established technologies such as smart grids, renewable energy generation and industrial energy management ensure the stability and scalability required for widespread adoption. Smart grids enable real-time monitoring and optimization of energy flows, renewable energy generation is expanding clean power sources, and industrial energy management enhances efficiency across sectors. On the horizon As the convergence of advanced materials technology progresses, compounding effects such as accelerated material discovery and cost- effective manufacturing are reshaping the innovation landscape. These effects are setting the stage for the next generation of material breakthroughs, unlocking novel applications across industries. The evolution of material modelling and data- driven discovery is redefining how materials are designed and optimized. AI-powered computational tools, high-throughput simulations and ML-driven material prediction are significantly shortening development cycles. These advancements enable researchers to identify, test and refine new materials with unprecedented speed and accuracy, paving the way for more efficient and sustainable material solutions. The combination of AI-enhanced modelling with automated experimental validation will further accelerate the deployment of next-gen materials.A transformative shift is also occurring with the rise of quantum-enhanced materials. Quantum- enhanced materials harness quantum phenomena such as superposition and entanglement to deliver exceptional electrical, magnetic and thermal properties. Materials like topological insulators, graphene, quantum dots and high-temperature superconductors are pushing boundaries in sensing, energy and computing – engineered through quantum modelling or designed to interface with quantum systems for next-gen performance. The strength of these convergence patterns lies in their ability to reinforce each other – data-driven material discovery accelerates experimental validation, quantum computing enhances precision and smart materials broaden application possibilities. Together, they create a reinforcing cycle that is poised to transform how materials are designed, produced and integrated across industries. 44 Technology Convergence Report

Technology Convergence Report 2025