Ever since cave dwellers figured out that rocks and sticks made it easier to dig holes and gather food, technology has profoundly influenced the way humans live and work. So to catch a glimpse of technologies future, our own Technology Review looked to the people who are creating it. We combed through the rosters of universities, companies, national laboratories, and other R&D outfits around the globe to find 100 of todays most exciting young innovators: the lab dwellers, visionaries, and dealmakers whose work will utterly transform our world in the years to come.

The TR100 all under 35 as of January 1, 2003 are poised at the cutting edge of computing, biotech and medicine, the Internet, and nanotech (and more). In the next 52 pages, you’ll not only learn about each innovators unique contributions, you’ll also get a view of some of the major trends in each of these four key areas of technology, as seen through the eyes of the TR100. And because many of our honorees efforts are paying off already, we’ve included for each technology area a table that highlights the new companies and emerging products that are the fruits of their labors.

This is the third time Technology Review has identified 100 young innovators to celebrate, and as in the past, we’ve drawn on the expertise of an outstanding panel of judges in choosing our list. You’ll find their names, along with those of the many writers who helped us tell the TR100’s stories, on page 112. On that same page, weve provided an alphabetical listing of all 100 innovators. And starting on page 110, we revisit some of the most exciting of the 200 young people we profiled in the past, people who have already made indelible marks on technology and on our future.

Yesterday, it was rocks and sticks. Tomorrow, who knows? The 100 exceptional young people youre about to meet do.

Computing
Biotech and Medicine
Nanotech and More
Where Are They Now?: A guide to past honorees
TR100 Index