Summary

Technologies, or more precisely technological entities, understood as self-standing physical and non-physical devices, processes and scientific knowledge resulting from created competence, can be grouped into a number of logical and distinct categories. The technology strata framework suggests that every technological entity evolves through and can be classified across different technology strata starting from its underpinning scientific principles, through the application of this principle into a core technology and integration into a larger system forming an integrated technology. Technologies can furthermore have different final use applications, but their classification is highly dependent on one’s frame of reference. Some technologies become final use technologies in the solutions (product/service) technology sense – e.g., a smartphone or an ultra-responsive hearing aid. Others become production technologies, R&D and engineering tool technologies, or external infrastructural technologies – all playing a vital role in other technology lifecycles despite often being neglected during strategic development.

The highest level of generalization comprises the technology family, which encompasses various technology strata that share a common and evolving knowledge and technology base due to a common feature. The common feature can come from underpinning science and engineering (e.g., nanotechnology, biotechnology, advanced materials) or an application area (e.g., renewable energy generation, medical imaging, advanced manufacturing) depending on the direction from which innovation is stimulated. Families of technologies are particularly important as references to technologies are usually made at this level across government technology strategies. For example, critical technologies in the UK Science & Technology Framework (DSIT, 2023), technology families in the UK Innovation Strategy (BEIS, 2021), critical and emerging technologies in the US Critical and Emerging Technologies List Update (NSTC, 2022) or key enabling technologies of the European Commission (European Commission) – all refer to emerging technology families as opposed to an individual technological entity, yet no previous theoretical conceptualizations are available.

Figure 1   Simplified framework distinguishing between technology strata and final use applications.

For further information see CSTI Briefing Note: Technology strata: A framework distinguishing between technologies