TECHNOLOGICAL IDEAS AND INNOVATIONS WHICH ARE ABOUT TO CHANGE THE WORLD
1. NECROBOTICS
Necrobotics, a technology being explored at Rice University, involves turning dead things into robots. A team of researchers injected a dead spider with air to turn it into a robot-like gripper capable of picking up objects. Spiders use hydraulics to force their version of blood (haemolymph) into their limbs, making them extend, which makes this possible. While this technology is in its early stages, it could lead to a future where dead animals are used to further science. However, the concept of necrobotics is both amazing and creepy at the same time, giving off a very Frankenstein-like feel.
2. SAND BATTERIES
Innovation doesn’t always have to be complex, and the latest breakthrough in sustainable energy technology proves just that. A team of Finnish engineers have developed a way to turn sand into a massive battery capable of storing renewable energy. The process involves heating up 100 tons of sand in a steel container using wind and solar power, which is then stored for later use. This method of energy storage, known as resistive heating, uses the heat generated by electrical currents to warm up non-super conductors like sand, and can be used to power nearby buildings for extended periods of time. With this invention, the future of sustainable energy is looking bright.
3. The development of exo-skeletons has been a topic of interest for years, and the technology has advanced significantly in recent times. Now, exo-skeletons are not just limited to science fiction, but are becoming a reality. The Atlas 2030 is an excellent example of this, which is being hailed as the most advanced mobile medical exo-skeleton designed for children. It has been designed to aid children with severe neuromuscular diseases, cerebral palsy, or spina bifida to walk. Although the Atlas 2030 is not yet available for commercial use, it could be a game-changer in the future, particularly for pediatric patients who need lower-body support.
4. SpinLaunch: The Space Catapult That Could Revolutionize Spaceflight
In the race to conquer space, new technologies are continuously being developed. One such technology is SpinLaunch, a prototype system that aims to launch satellites and other payloads into space using kinetic energy, rather than traditional chemical fuel found in rockets.
The system works by spinning payloads at a mind-boggling speed of 8,000 km/h and 10,000G, before launching them skyward through a launch tube. While small rocket engines are still required for payloads to reach orbit, SpinLaunch claims that this system could reduce fuel and infrastructure needs by an impressive 70%.
Despite sounding like something out of science fiction, SpinLaunch is very much real and has already signed an agreement with NASA to test the system. If successful, this technology could revolutionize spaceflight, making it more accessible and cost-effective.
5. XENOTRANSPLANTATION
Inserting the heart of a pig into a human feels like a bad idea, and yet, this is one of the latest medical procedures that is seeing rapid progress.
Xenotransplantation – the procedure of transplanting, implementing or infusing a human with cells, tissues or organs from an animal source – has the potential to revolutionise surgery.
One of the most common procedures performed so far is the insertion of a pig’s heart into a human. This has now successfully happened twice. However, one of the patients was only alive for a few months, and the second is still being observed.
In these surgeries, the heart cannot be instantly put into a human, gene-editing needs to take place first. Certain genes need to be knocked out of the heart and human genes need to be added, mainly around immune acceptance and genes to prevent excessive growth of heart tissue.
Right now, these surgeries are risky and there is no certainty around success. However, in the near future, we could see xenotransplants happening on a regular basis, providing hearts or tissues from animals to humans in need of it.
6. IMAGE GENERATION BY AI
The world of art has been revolutionized by artificial intelligence as researchers at OpenAI have created a software that can generate images from simple prompts. The technology, known as Dall-E, allows users to type in a description and receive a completely original image that fits their request. The software is also able to create images in different art styles. Though not perfect, the researchers plan to continue developing the technology. In the future, Dall-E could be used for creating art exhibitions, providing quick illustrations for companies, and even revolutionizing the creation of memes. Another AI image generator, Midjourney, creates gothic masterpieces with a simple text prompt.
7. BRAIN READING ROBOTS
Brain reading technology has become increasingly advanced in recent years, and researchers at the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology Lausanne have developed a practical and exciting application for it. Using a combination of machine learning algorithms, a brain-computer interface, and a robot arm, tetraplegic patients (who cannot move their upper or lower body) can now interact with the world around them. In tests, the robot arm was able to perform simple tasks such as navigating around obstacles. The algorithm would then analyze signals from the brain using an EEG cap and automatically identify any incorrect moves made by the arm. This technology could revolutionize the way tetraplegic patients interact with their environment, potentially leading to brain-controlled wheelchairs or assistance machines.
8. PRINTING BONES IN 3D
Ossiform is a company that specializes in medical 3D printing, which involves creating patient-specific bone replacements using tricalcium phosphate, a material with similar properties to human bones. One of the unique features of these 3D printed bones is that they are porous and feature large pores and canals for cells to attach to and reform bone, which allows for the implants to be integrated with the body. This means that the body can remodel the implants into vascularized bone, enabling the full restoration of function that the bone it is replacing had. To use these 3D printed bones, a hospital performs an MRI, which is sent to Ossiform, who creates a 3D model of the patient-specific implant that is needed. The surgeon approves the design, and once it is printed, it can be used in surgery. The use of 3D printed bones has promising applications in the medical field, as it offers an effective means of bone replacement that can be tailored to each patient’s needs.
9. NLP-NATURAL LANGUAGE PROCESSING
Yes, natural language processing (NLP) is a rapidly developing field within artificial intelligence (AI) and has many applications beyond autocomplete and predictive text. OpenAI’s ChatGPT is a good example of how NLP can be used to create sophisticated chatbots that can interact with humans in a more natural way. GPT-3 is a powerful language model that has been trained on vast amounts of text data and can generate coherent and meaningful responses to a wide range of prompts. As AI technology continues to develop, we can expect to see more advanced NLP applications emerge, with potential applications in fields such as customer service, healthcare, and education.
10. SUBTLE-SONIC,SILENT SPEED JET
The X-59 is an exciting development for aviation and could pave the way for faster air travel without the disruptive sonic booms that currently prevent supersonic flight over land. The design of the plane is focused on creating a quieter, more aerodynamic profile that reduces the intensity of the shockwave created when it breaks the sound barrier. NASA hopes that this technology will help to create a new era of faster, more efficient air travel that could revolutionize the industry. However, it remains to be seen how the public will react to the noise generated by the X-59, and whether it will be able to gain widespread acceptance as a new form of transportation.
11. DIGITAL TWIN
The Q Bio scanner is an innovative technology that can measure hundreds of biomarkers in around an hour, including hormone levels, inflammation markers, and signs of cancer, among others. This data can be used to create a 3D digital avatar of a patient’s body, which can be updated with each new scan and tracked over time. Q Bio CEO Jeff Kaditz hopes that this will lead to a new era of preventative, personalised medicine where the vast amounts of data collected can help doctors prioritise which patients need to be seen most urgently and develop more sophisticated ways of diagnosing illness. This technology has the potential to improve health outcomes and alleviate the load on doctors at the same time.
12. DIRECT AIR CAPTURE
Direct Air Capture (DAC) is indeed a promising technology in the fight against climate change. It can remove carbon dioxide directly from the air, making it possible to capture emissions from a wide range of sources, including industrial processes, transportation, and even households.The energy requirements and costs associated with DAC are still high. The process requires a significant amount of energy to capture CO2 from the air and then store it or use it to produce synthetic fuels. Therefore, the challenge for the future is to develop more efficient DAC systems that require less energy and are cost-effective.Another issue with DAC is the availability of suitable storage locations for the captured carbon. The geological storage of CO2 in underground reservoirs requires careful selection of storage sites to prevent leaks, and there is a risk of triggering earthquakes or other geological hazards.
Despite the challenges, the potential of DAC in mitigating climate change cannot be overlooked. It is a complementary technology to other climate change mitigation strategies such as renewable energy and energy efficiency. If the energy requirements and storage issues can be addressed, DAC could become a significant tool in the global effort to reduce carbon emissions and slow down the effects of climate change.
13. It is interesting to see how sustainability is extending to eco-friendly dying as well. Many people are now considering greener ways to go as traditional methods tend to leave a large carbon footprint. One alternative is composting, which involves laying the body in chambers with bark, soil, straw, and other compounds that promote natural decomposition. Within 30 days, the body is reduced to soil that can be returned to a garden or woodland. Another technology that uses fungi, involves burying the body in a “mushroom suit” that is designed to aid decomposition and neutralize toxins that are released when a body usually decays. Alkaline hydrolysis is another method that involves breaking the body down into its chemical components over a six-hour process in a pressurized chamber. It is legal in a number of US states and uses fewer emissions compared with more traditional methods.
14. ENERGY STORING BRICKS
The new method developed by the scientists involves heating the bricks to 1,000C, which causes the iron oxide in the bricks to undergo a chemical reaction and transform into a compound called magnetite. The bricks are then exposed to a magnetic field, which causes the magnetite to retain the magnetic field and become a magnet.
When the bricks are needed to store energy, they are placed in a coil of wire and an electric current is applied. This causes the magnetic field in the magnetite to induce an electric current in the wire, effectively storing the energy. When the energy is needed, the process is reversed and the magnetite releases the energy back into the coil of wire.
The researchers have said that the bricks can store energy for a few seconds or several days, depending on the size and number of bricks used. They believe that the technology has the potential to be used in a variety of applications, from powering small electronic devices to providing backup power for buildings. Additionally, the use of red bricks, which are a ubiquitous building material, makes the technology scalable and cost-effective.
While the technology is still in the proof-of-concept stage, the researchers are optimistic about its potential and plan to continue developing the technology further. The researchers developed a method to convert red bricks into a type of energy storage device called a supercapacitor.
This involved putting a conducting coating, known as Pedot, onto brick samples, which then seeped through the fired bricks’ porous structure, converting them into “energy storing electrodes”. Iron oxide, which is the red pigment in the bricks, helped with the process, the researchers said.
PIC DESCRIPTION-Red brick device developed by chemists at Washington University in St. Louis lights up a green light-emitting diode © D’Arcy laboratory/ Washington University in St. Loui
15. SWEAT POWERED SMARTWATCHES
Engineers at the University of Glasgow have developed a new type of flexible supercapacitor that uses sweat to store energy instead of traditional electrolytes found in batteries. This innovative device can be charged with as little as 20 microlitres of fluid and can survive up to 4,000 cycles of flexes and bends. The supercapacitor is made by coating polyester cellulose cloth with a thin layer of polymer, which acts as the electrode. As the cloth absorbs sweat, the positive and negative ions in the sweat react with the polymer’s surface, creating an electrochemical reaction that generates energy. The researchers believe that this technology could replace conventional batteries, which often contain unsustainable and harmful materials that are challenging to dispose of safely and potentially harmful in wearable devices. The new device uses sustainable and eco-friendly materials and could be used in wearable devices without the risk of toxic fluids spilling onto the skin if the battery is broken.
16. SELF HEALING LIVING CONCRETE
Living concrete is a new building material that has been developed by scientists using sand, gel, and bacteria. According to the researchers from the University of Colorado Boulder, this material has a structural load-bearing function, is capable of self-healing, and is more environmentally friendly than traditional concrete, which is the second most-consumed material on Earth after water.
The living concrete is made by combining sand and hydrogel, which is a type of polymer that can absorb water. Then, the researchers add cyanobacteria, which are photosynthetic bacteria that produce calcium carbonate, a material that can bind the sand particles together. The bacteria also multiply and spread throughout the material, creating a network of living organisms within the concrete.
The team believes that living concrete could have a range of potential applications, including in building structures that can heal their own cracks, absorb toxins from the air, or even glow on command. It could also be used to create more sustainable and eco-friendly buildings, as it is biodegradable and does not produce carbon dioxide during the manufacturing process, unlike traditional concrete.
17. The prototype device developed by chemical engineers from École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne in Switzerland can produce hydrogen fuel by harnessing the water found in air. The device, inspired by leaves, uses semiconducting materials to gather energy from sunlight and then produce hydrogen gas by separating water molecules from the atmosphere. The gas can then be converted into liquid fuels for use. This technology offers the potential for clean, renewable energy and reduces reliance on fossil fuels. However, more research is needed to improve efficiency and scalability of the device for practical application.
18. Lack of internet access is a significant problem in many parts of the world, which is why companies like Google and Facebook are investing in new technologies to provide internet access to remote areas. However, a Dutch company called Hiber is taking a different approach by launching a network of microsatellites into low Earth orbit to provide internet access.
These shoebox-sized microsatellites wake up a modem plugged into a computer or device when they fly over and deliver data. The satellites orbit the Earth 16 times a day and are already being used by organisations like The British Antarctic Survey to provide internet access to remote areas of the planet.
Hiber’s technology could have many applications, including helping farmers in developing countries to monitor crop growth and enabling remote healthcare services. Hiber’s network is also more affordable and accessible than other satellite-based internet services, making it a promising solution for bridging the digital divide.
19. This is a great development in the field of regenerative medicine and tissue engineering. The ability to create retinal tissue using stem cells and 3D bioprinting is a significant step towards developing treatments for eye diseases and conditions such as age-related macular degeneration (AMD). By using patient-specific stem cells, scientists can create personalized models of the human eye to study disease progression and test potential therapies. The outer blood-retina barrier is an important area for understanding AMD, so this new technique could provide valuable insights into this condition and other retinal disorders. It will be exciting to see how this research progresses and how it could eventually translate into clinical applications.
20. Researchers at Penn State University have found a way to enable fast charging of lithium-ion batteries without degrading them. According to the researchers, the flow of lithium ions from one electrode to another to charge and hold energy for use is not smooth with rapid charging at lower temperatures, which can damage the batteries. However, the team found that if the batteries could be heated to 60°C for 10 minutes and then rapidly cooled again to ambient temperatures, the formation of lithium spikes could be avoided and heat damage could be prevented. The battery design that the researchers developed is self-heating, using a thin nickel foil to create an electrical circuit that heats the inside of the battery in less than 30 seconds.
21. That’s correct! The low power requirement of these artificial neurons makes them promising for medical implants. By mimicking the electrical properties of real neurons, they could potentially be used to treat a range of conditions that affect the nervous system, such as Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, and spinal cord injuries.