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9.3.4 State of R&D

The sections give an overview of the technology development in relation to a specific technology. Fundamental Research is defined for this purpose as research with no particular goals of commercialisation. Applied Research is defined as research conducted in academia and industry directed towards a specific purpose and application. Prototype has been defined as Applied Research or Fundamental Research that has found a potential market application. Technologies that are in the field trial state are defined as those that are in the process of commercialisation, and are being tested. Deployed nanotechnologies are those that have found an early stage market. Mass Market has been defined as those technologies that have been adopted by large population and are attractive high growth markets. The scale of readiness mentioned ranges from fundamental research to mass market. The spread of development across the readiness level is an indication of various detection methods, research and development effort for different threat agents using varied biological means. A validation of their status is necessary from the economic and other technology sectors perspective. The table BW.4 below gives an overview of technology developments in relation to specific enabling technologies for biological threats detection.

Table BW.4 - Comparative Research and Development Status for category of biological threats detection