To give two concrete examples:
In biochemistry, we could hope to understand how bacteria are able to do nitrogen fixation, possibly leading to a more energy efficient and less GHG-emitting alternative to the Haber process.
In material science, we could hope to better understand the mechanism for current high-temperature superconductivity, possibly leading to the development of superconductive materials at even higher temperatures, lower pressures, and with more convenient other properties (such as toughness, ductility).
Space elevators / hooks, are the things I'm most excited for.
Is that a nod to Schrödinger?
There's also a smaller power section filled with computer scientists that turn when someone says that the quantum computer offers exponential speedups.