Introduction
Technology has revolutionized our life on every level. Nowadays, everything we do is determined, to some degree, by the gadgets we use. And by “everything” we mean… everything! The way we communicate, the way we handle finances, the way we work, and even the way we think. Plus, the market is more than happy to provide us with everything we need to stay connected and aware. Bad reception in the house? No worries, get a network booster from Booster Planet Having trouble with a 3D printer? Just ask google how to use a 3d printer and you’ll immediately get a detailed answer. Even if you are interested in animal cloning, the information is out there. Every solution is available. It seems nothing much sounds too far-fetched these days.
But what does the future hold? How far can we go? The answers are more fascinating than we would have thought. So let’s enter uncharted territory and fantasize about what can be a solid reality in a few decades’ time.
1.Neuralink
Starting out the list is a smash from Elon Must. Neuralink is a company focused on the production of brain chips. There are a lot of rumors surrounding Neurolink, as the product has not been introduced yet, but the creators claim, that this chip will be capable of restoring motor functions of the brain in case of injury, as well as enhancing eyesight and hearing, among so many other incredible possibilities. And if you thought this is a project for some indefinite future, think again.
This absolutely futuristic product will most definitely come to life in the next couple of years, according to the creator, Elon Musk. Who knows how this brain chip actually works? Probably only the developers. Nevertheless, I’ll be standing in line to get my eyes and hearing fixed! Wouldn’t you want to try?
2.Personal Air Conditioning
This is new research from the University of Missouri. It’s an on-skin electronic device that will cool the body up to 11 degrees F depending on the situation. Originally aimed at preventing heat strokes, this product will provide an opportunity to maintain body temperature in extreme conditions. Plus, it has a few additional functions, like monitoring blood pressure, level of skin hydration, etc. The researchers are hoping to apply this technology to “smart clothing” and develop textiles that will hold the same properties. Who wouldn’t like a jacket that can keep you cool in the heat, right? Well, let’s hope this will happen in our lifetime and the implementation will be just as great as the idea itself.
3.Plastic-eating bacteria
Ok, we cheated a little by including this one, because the bacteria itself is found already. The point is, it’s still not a global solution, as the bacteria are not able to devour all kinds of plastic in a short span of time. But scientists all over the world are researching the possible solutions for the plastic waste crisis and bacteria seems to be a valid option. In any case, there is still a lot of work to be done. Only one thing is certain. We have to come up with a global-scale solution and quick, otherwise, we will literally suffocate in our own plastic mess and do irreversible damage to the planet we call home.
4.Flexible electronics
This field is growing fast, constantly coming up with ideas, one crazier than the other. But the fun part is, you can’t be really innovative unless you’re a smidge crazy, don’t you think? Well, nowadays, flexible electronics research hovers around the idea of wearable sensors, which have mostly medical implications. The 3D sensor will monitor the vitals of the host 24/7, providing detailed information on what’s going on in the body at any given moment.
5.Wearable pain relievers
This idea has tickled the engineering minds for a long time now, but the results are just blinking into the light. It’s still a long way until this becomes a norm, but the technology is developing quickly. There is more insight into the nature of pain and the possibilities for relief without medication. The device uses impulses and signals to stimulate the brain in a particular way, which will allow the pain intensity to decrease. But the results are yet to be improved. The nature of pain in the human body is very versatile and requires different solutions. Hopefully, the engineers and biologists in the future will be able to come up with a universal answer for people living with chronic pain.
6.Bioprinting
One of the most fascinating entries on our list, bioprinting is still far from being a physical possibility, let alone a go-to solution. The concept is the following: if the research succeeds, there is going to be a valid technology of printing organs for transplants, printing viable skin sells for different procedures, and maybe even printing functioning bone or muscle tissue. This sounds really fascinating, as it can solve so many problems simultaneously. First of all, there are thousands of people in dire needs of organ transplants, and this technology will mean a second chance to live for all those people.
7.Artificial intelligence
We couldn’t make a list like this, without mentioning AI. During the past decade, a lot of progress has been made in this field. AI stepped out of science fiction movies and entered the scientific world, as a legit technology, but what does the AI future hold? If we are talking about the next 20 years, it’s going to be pretty hard to predict the exact path, but the thing we know for certain is that if we are capable to create a device that can think, and learn on its own, there isn’t much we can’t do with it. Although it’s hard to imagine a “Terminator” scenario actually happening, it’s going to take a lot of paperwork to regulate the usage of this powerful tool!
Conclusion
Progress never waits for us to catch up on the news, so it will most definitely happen regardless of whether we are there to witness it, or not. But what can we do? Well, first of all, teach our future generation to neglect boundaries, when it comes to imagination and think big.