Multi-path mapping

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time	difficulty	people

Hours	Straightforward	Individually or group

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intro:

For fundamental and curiosity driven research a concrete application of the research is often not evident in the early development stage when technical functionalities are not yet clear. Research may also focus on technical functionalities as such, while applications are not specified. The multi-path map helps you to explore various applications and markets for a technology based on the known technical characteristics, and maps multiple, potential innovation paths. This overview then allows you to consider the potential societal challenges of each path already at an early stage.

steps:

example:

Requirements and challenges for solar hydrogen technologies

To get a better understanding of the potential applications, requirements and challenges of solar hydrogen technologies, a multi-path map has been created, based on the discussions during a workshop with leading experts in this field. Solar hydrogen technologies use sunlight to convert water into a stream of hydrogen via electrolysis. The hydrogen can be used directly, or it can be stored and converted back into electricity if needed. During the workshop, the multi-path map structure helped to create an overview of the different pathways originating from various technological systems and stimulated the discussion of potential societal, political and economic implementational challenges.

Step 1 – building the multi-path map

The lower two layers of the multi-path map are filled with different solar hydrogen systems: electrode-type systems which include solar photovoltaics (PV) coupled to an electrolyzer and photoelectrochemical systems, and nanostructured particle systems. The systems differ in terms of configuration, development phase, and costs although enabling similar applications which range from using hydrogen for ammonia production for fertilizers (agricultural sector), the direct use of hydrogen for small scale or pure applications (pharmaceutical sector) to storage and distribution of hydrogen for the transportation and energy sector. In general, the different pathways impact and are impacted by regulatory and political conditions, environmental effects, public perception, and economic drivers.

Step 2 – analysis of specific pathways

One favorable application of solar hydrogen systems is in the energy sector where they can locally produce and store electricity or where they are connected to the energy grid. In this sector, solar hydrogen technologies are in competition with non-renewable energy sources (fossil fuel, nuclear) in terms of costs, availability and accessibility. Political incentives can create an advantage in the cost competitiveness by introducing carbon taxes or emission limits. The extension of the existing infrastructure is another important step for the successful implementation. Since introducing solar hydrogen technologies in the energy sector requires quite some system change, solar hydrogen technologies may also be first implemented for ‘niche’ applications with favorable conditions. The pharmaceutical or space industry, where the high-purity, sustainability or small-scale production of solar hydrogen are more important than the price, could be interesting options.

For more information on this topic, have a look at: Ardo et al., 2018, Pathways to electrochemical solar-hydrogen technologies, Energy & Environmental Science, 10.

example:

New applications for a nanomedicine platform

An example of a multi-path map for a technical research project is shown below. Here, the PhD student was developing a microfluidic platform for the formation of artificial cell membranes (bilayer lipid membranes) which would allow to testing different substances on the membrane function (e.g., ion transport, mobility, thickness) with the original aim to create a platform for drug screening.

The PhD student used the multi-path mapping approach in a workshop setting to explore alternative applications of the platform she developed. Participants with a variety of backgrounds, such as natural and social scientists, experts from (start-up) companies, regulation, and IP, were invited to the workshop. The lower layers of the multi-path map, the technological features and functionalities, were filled in rather quickly during the workshop as they were based on the work of the PhD student. Interestingly, during the completion of the upper layers of the map, additional ideas of potential products and markets were mentioned, such as using the platform for cosmetic screening. Additionally, possible issues in terms of technological functionality (stability of the lipid bilayer), as well as concerns about costs and resources of potential products were raised: choosing either optical or electrophysiological measurement schemes for example has an effect on the costs of the final product. For the PhD student, the multi-path map was a useful tool to explore potential applications for this particular technology and to structure the discussion during the workshop. Additionally, it provides an overview of potential pathways and serves as a map to guide the way between technologies and applications.

Instead of adding an additional layer to the multi-path map, here the PhD student analyzed four innovation pathways in more detail considering the societal and regulatory context: drug screening, testing of nanoparticle toxicity, cosmetic screening and using the platform for research. When comparing the applications, it becomes clear that the innovation processes and the societal impacts are different. In the case of drug screening, the technology must fit in the existing procedures and requirements that are present in pharmaceutical companies. Additionally, the technology must adapt to the regulatory framework. A direct impact on society is not envisioned for this application. In contrast, research can be driven by a demand in the society to reduce animal testing, as in the case of cosmetic screening, which leads to a requirement for new technologies that replace animal models. Here, the platform developed by the PhD student potentially could play a role. Research could also be triggered by new regulations for testing nanoparticle toxicity. In this case, the growing concern about nanotoxicity stimulates new accreditation procedures and therefore also new platforms that can contribute to determine the toxicity or safety of nanoparticles.

For more information on this topic, have a look at: Schulze Greiving et al., 2016, ‘CTA-lite’ for exploring possible innovation pathways of a nanomedicine-related platform – embedded Responsible Research and Innovation in practice, In: DM Bowman, A Dijkstra, C Fautz, J Guivant, K Konrad, H van Lente and S Woll (eds), Responsibility and Emerging Technologies: Experiences, Education and Beyond, Berlin: AKA Press, 25-42.

example:

Applications and collaborations for a new research line

In this example, a multi-path map has been applied in a workshop organized by a university professor to explore possible applications and collaborations for his new research line. The multi-path map was created in advance by the professor summarizing the key technology, alternative routes and envisioned applications. During the workshop, the multi-path map was used to stimulate and document the discussion around potential applications and to find suitable collaborations.

downloads:

Stakeholder Map (pdf)

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