I'm surprised and shocked that quantum mechanics will play such a strong roll in our future. The Oct 24/31, 2011 issue of Aviation Week and Space Technology has a special feature article on Imaging/Innovating the Future. Aviation Week assembled scientist and researchers, and asked them to provide an assessment of the future of technology for aerospace and related fields. Quantum mechanics was cited as a key technology for the industry by more than one researcher. One research sees technology that interacts with space-time likely in the next 20 years. There are many other insights into future technology including hypersonic flight, additive manufacturing, sensing, navigation, exoplanets, metamaterials, photonics, plasma aerodynamics, and interstellar space travel.