October 24th, 2008
The technologies which will change our lives
We are at a strange place in this world’s history, where the Industrial Revolution is over, and we’re in the new technological age. So many things have been discovered over the course of the last and this century, and we’re still no closer to reaching a technological epiphany… or are we? One of my favourite quotes in the world of technology is:
“It took 38 years for radio to reach 50 million people. The internet got there in 5 years flat.”
I’d like to highlight some of the most innovative, interesting and fascinating emerging and developing technologies, as well as future technologies which could change our lives, just in the way that the World Wide Web has.
Metamaterials and invisibility
Having invisibility cloaks has been the dream of every Harry Potter and James Bond fan for some years now, but we’re surprisingly close to getting the real deal. Of course, many would see this as either a hoax or a theory, but scientists at the University of California have developed a material which allows light to be reverse-refracted around 3D objects making them disappear… to some extent.
These “metamaterials” allow forms of electromagnetic waves (of which visible light is part of) to be channelled from one side of the material to the other, allowing the object with the material covering it to appear invisible. At the moment, they’re no way near to making this perfect, but the theory and practicality is there; it’s just a case of investing more money into research to perfecting it.
Although I don’t see any civilian use for it, the military could acquire this for combat scenarios. By covering soldiers and combat vehicles in this material, this would make warfare scenarios a lot more interesting; even though it’s something we would rather not see. I bet Kim Jong-il would be quaking in his boots if he saw this field of invisible tanks.
Speech and touch, and cyber-intelligence –>
Zack Whittaker, the youngest in the ZDNet network, is a British student at the University of Kent, Canterbury, where he studies BA (Hons) Criminology and Social Policy. His insight into the next-generation is unique and first-hand, sharing his knowledge of the here and now but more so what's next and how to get there.
You can read his public biography and his work disclosures of his current and past industry affiliations.
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