Living life high-tech: Recent biggest breakthroughs in technology

Science and technology rule the modern world. Unexpected developments and discoveries are taking place in these areas day-to-day. No one can think of a life without the touch of science and technology these days. From the mobile phones that connect you with your friends in distant places to supersonic planes that can take you from one place to another in blazing speed, we are enjoying the fruits of developments in science and technology. People are quite passionate to know the updates in the world of science and technology. Here are some ongoing developments in the areas that will keep you fascinated.

Breakthroughs in technology

• Medicine

Minnesota University researchers’ attempt to create a living human heart out of stem cells will be a great development in medical sector. The researchers have revealed that the artificial stem cell heart is transplantable with the real human heart. That is, the development will be a big revolution in heart transplants. People with severe heart problems can come back to the life. Lead researcher Dr. Doric Taylor calls the attempt as a breakthrough, because it will be a large assistance in heart transplants.

Hybrid MRI/PET Imaging

We are much familiar with the Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) technology. It is applied to examine soft tissues in human body. Even minute damages like fractures are visible in MRI scan. But researchers are in efforts to integrate Positron Emission Tomography (PET) with the MRI for more structural evaluation. PET is meant to provide more detailed imaging of organ tissues. According to experts, combination of MRI and PET will help evaluate the extent of damages in liver and other inner organs.

Artificial heart

Scientists have been in extensive efforts to develop artificial replacement hearts for several years. The most recent development in artificial heart replacement took place at the Jewish Hospital in Louisville, U.S.A in 2001. Doctors implanted an artificial heart in a patient in a seven-hour long surgery. Scientists are still in attempts for advanced developments in the area.

XOS Exoskeleton

XOS Exoskeleton is a full-body suit that will make you capable to lift huge weights. Once you don the XOS Exoskeleton suit, you may feel like the Paramount Pictures Iron Man 2. You can lift whopping weights at ease. The weight lifting capacity of XOS-2 from its forerunner XOS-1 is hugely higher, says the test engineer Rex Jameson.

• Cloud computing

IBM and SAP are working to make some enhancements in the flourishing cloud computing technology. The firms are in efforts to solve the inability of making running applications work on two different networks. They have developed a system to migrate running applications between cloud servers. It will also help transfer the data center workloads between remote locations through various networks.

Cryptography secure cloud services

A young researcher named Craig Gentry has cracked a cryptography problem during his summer research at IBM. The technology ended the confusion of experts for over 30 years. The breakthrough called 'privacy homomorphism' will help ensure security in cloud computing. Increased security in cloud computing means users can largely depend on the system to store their documents and files.

• Nanotech

CNF-PZT Cantilever is a groundbreaking technology to harvest power from waste heat from electronic products. Louisiana Tech University researchers have developed this technology making use of carbon nanotubes on a cantilever base of piezoelectric materials.

Piezoelectric Nanogenerators

Piezoelectricity is to reign over the alternative energy experiments of the coming years. Several researchers have discovered methods to produce electricity from motions and movements using piezoelectricity. A team of Georgia Tech researchers have developed super small piezoelectric nanogenerator that can generate electricity from small motions. In the initial stages, it is capable to power calculators, LEDs and other small gadgets.

• Flying cars

Terrafugia, Inc., an innovative aircraft company has demonstrated a ground-breaking flying car concept called, the Transition Roadable Aircraft Proof of Concept. Transition is a two-seat vehicle that can travel on roads and air as well. The pilot can transform the vehicle from an aircraft to highway car in just 30 seconds. The concept mirrors the large possibilities in transportation facilities in coming years.

Moller M400 Skycar: It is a four-seat motor that can unfurl its wings and fly into the air. The Skycar can travel up to 600kph for a distance of 1,200km in the air. The vehicle is touted as a great alternative to leapfrog the disturbing traffic jams.

• Jetpacks

Martin Jetpack is an ultra light airplane. The V-4 piston engine and two ducted fan-equipped aircraft can help one hover 30 minutes and rise to 8,000 feet. Jetpack costs around $100,000. You need to finish 15 hours of flight training and safety screening to purchase this ultra light airplane wonder.

JetLev-Flyer

JetLev-Flyer is a jetpack from Germany. It can reach you at a height of 50 feet at 45 mph. What is innovative with this jetpack is that it uses water instead of oil. JetLev-Flyer costs around $130,000. Jetpacks are great options to help people themselves fly in the sky to move to one place from the other. The technology will be a great alternative for police patrolling and rescue operations.

• Wireless charging

Large experiments are undergoing to develop wireless chargers for smartphones, tablet and laptops. WildCharge is a technology that can charge your handheld device using a custom induction strip. On placing your phone on the WildCharge pad, it will get charged automatically without wires, thanks to its induction capability. You can purchase the advanced WildCharge adapter for $89.99 along with RAZR phone. More phones including iPhone will get the charging option in future.

• Flexible display

Flexible display is to become another breakthrough in consumer electronics industry. LG has just unveiled a flexible 14.1-inch color E-paper display that has a full 180-degree viewing angle. As the flexible displays only require images while visuals change, they will be highly power efficient in outdoor advertising and other uses. The breakthrough is to really happen when such displays appear on consumer electronics.