Emerging Technologies That Will Change The World

Summary

This video explores groundbreaking technologies set to revolutionize our world. From 3D-printed hearts to giant exoskeletons for construction and racing, the innovations are vast. Microrobots with potential medical applications, ferrofluid with its unique properties for targeted drug delivery, and futuristic footwear like the City Glider are featured. The video also delves into nuclear fusion's promise via tokamaks, aeroponic farming for sustainable food production, and smart tattoos like DuoSkin. It touches on climate-resilient architecture with the Ark concept and advancements in jet engines for greener aviation. The segment on graphene's potential and the Hyperloop's ambitious transportation goals rounds out the future-tech landscape, concluding with generative AI's impact on creativity and the economy.

Takeaways

• 🧬 In 2019, Tel Aviv University researchers created the world's first 3-D printed heart using human stem cells, offering a potential solution for heart disease treatment.
• 🤖 Exosapien Technologies developed a massive, four-legged exoskeleton named Prosthesis, suggesting future possibilities in mech sports and heavy industry.
• 🦀 Northwestern University engineers unveiled some of the world's smallest remote-controlled robots, which could revolutionize fields like micro-manufacturing and medical procedures.
• 🌌 Ferrofluid, a liquid with magnetic properties, has potential applications in loudspeakers and medical science, including targeted drug delivery.
• 👟 The City Glider, a high-tech footwear concept, aims to increase walking speed and reduce the reliance on motor vehicles for short distances.
• ⚡ MIT researchers are experimenting with nuclear fusion using high-temperature superconducting electromagnets, which could lead to nearly limitless clean energy.
• 🌱 Aeroponics, a soil-less farming method, uses 90% less water and can produce healthier crops faster, offering a sustainable solution for food production.
• 🏗️ DuoSkin, a smart tattoo developed by MIT and Microsoft Research, can turn skin into a wearable Bluetooth trackpad, showcasing the potential for skin-integrated technology.
• 🪰 Scientists at the Riken Research Institute in Japan have created cyborg cockroaches that can be remotely controlled, which might be used for search and rescue operations.
• 🌊 The Ark, a concept for a self-sustaining floating hotel, is designed to withstand the effects of climate change, representing innovative architecture for future living.

Q & A

What was the first 3D-printed human heart created by Tel Aviv University made from?

The first 3D-printed human heart was created using human stem cells mixed with a gel-like 'bio-ink' made of modified proteins and collagen.

How does the 3D-printed heart technology potentially change the treatment of heart disease?

This technology could allow doctors to print partial or full-size functional hearts from a patient's own stem cells, eliminating the need for donor organs and reducing the risk of incompatibility.

What is the Prosthesis exoskeleton developed by Exosapien Technologies and how does it function?

The Prosthesis is the world's largest four-legged exoskeleton, standing 14 feet tall and weighing 9,000 pounds. It operates on 200 horsepower and can gallop at speeds of up to 21 miles per hour.

How could the Prosthesis exoskeleton technology be utilized in the construction industry?

The industrial-grade hydraulic limbs of the Prosthesis amplify the pilot's strength by 50 times, allowing for the easy lifting, dragging, or crushing of large and heavy objects.

What are the applications of the microrobots developed by Northwestern University?

These microrobots could be used in manufacturing to assemble or repair microscopic components, or in medicine for minimally invasive procedures such as clearing clogged arteries or eliminating tumors.

What is ferrofluid and how does it behave in the presence of a magnet?

Ferrofluid is a material composed of magnetic iron oxide nanoparticles suspended in a carrier fluid. It acts as a liquid but can form spiky, organized structures when near a magnet, aligning with the magnetic field lines.

How could ferrofluid be used in medical science according to the script?

Ferrofluid could be used for magnetic drug targeting, where medication is immersed in ferrofluid and directed to specific targets in the body using changing magnetic fields.

What is the City Glider and how does it assist in walking?

The City Glider is high-tech footwear that compresses hydraulic pistons with each step, releasing the pressure to propel the wearer forward, increasing walking speed and distance.

How does magnetic confinement fusion work in the pursuit of clean energy?

Magnetic confinement fusion heats hydrogen isotopes to form plasma, which is then contained and pressurized by an electromagnetic field inside a tokamak, potentially leading to fusion and energy release.

What is the significance of the high-temperature superconducting electromagnets developed by MIT?

These electromagnets can create stronger, longer-lasting fields than copper coils, reducing plasma cooling in fusion reactions, and allowing for more compact and efficient tokamak designs.

What is aeroponics and how does it benefit agriculture?

Aeroponics is a method of growing plants without soil, where roots are suspended and misted with nutrient-rich water. It uses up to 90% less water, reduces vulnerability to pests and diseases, and can produce healthier crops faster.

Outlines

00:00

🤖 Futuristic Innovations and Their Impact

The paragraph introduces a variety of futuristic technologies that are poised to revolutionize the world. It discusses rideable robots, cyborg insects, and machines that mimic the inner workings of stars. These innovations are set to transform various industries, including healthcare with 3D-printed hearts, sports with mech races, and construction with giant exoskeletons. The potential of these technologies is highlighted, showcasing how they could change our lives in the near future.

05:02

🔬 The Wonders of Ferrofluid and Futuristic Footwear

This section delves into the unique properties of ferrofluid, a material with both liquid and magnetic solid characteristics. It explores the history and applications of ferrofluid, from its invention by NASA for potential zero-gravity uses to its current employment in loudspeakers and potential medical advancements. Additionally, the paragraph introduces the City Glider, a high-tech footwear designed to increase walking speed and distance, promoting a healthier and more sustainable mode of transportation.

10:05

⚡ Harnessing the Power of Magnets for Clean Energy

The paragraph discusses the role of magnets and electromagnets in industrial applications and the pursuit of clean energy through nuclear fusion. It explains the process of magnetic confinement fusion and the development of high-temperature superconducting materials by MIT researchers to create stronger, more efficient electromagnetic fields. These advancements could lead to a future where near-limitless clean energy is harnessed, potentially providing a sustainable power source for humanity.

15:06

🌱 Aeroponics: The Future of Farming Technology

This section highlights aeroponics, a soil-less farming method that allows plants to grow by suspending their roots in nutrient-dense mist. Aeroponics offers significant water savings, pest and disease resistance, and faster growth rates. The technology is not only relevant for addressing global food demands but also has the potential to support space exploration and colonization, as NASA has been developing inflatable aeroponic systems for future manned missions.

20:09

📱 DuoSkin: The Evolution of Wearable Technology

The paragraph introduces DuoSkin, a smart tattoo developed by MIT and Microsoft Research, which acts as a wearable sensory interface. DuoSkin can transform the skin into a Bluetooth trackpad for controlling smart devices. It is made of thin electronic circuitry and can be applied like a temporary tattoo. The technology has evolved with the development of the SkinKit by Cornell University, offering a more robust and reusable version of skin computers that can perform various functions, from temperature sensing to navigation assistance.

25:10

🪰 Cyborg Cockroaches and Climate-Resilient Architecture

This section covers the transformation of a Madagascar cockroach into a cyborg by scientists at the Riken Research Institute, which could potentially aid in data gathering and search and rescue missions. It also discusses the Ark, a climate-resilient hotel concept designed by Remistudio to withstand the effects of climate change. The Ark is a self-sustaining structure that utilizes renewable energy sources and features a microclimate with oxygen-producing plants, showcasing innovative approaches to architecture in the face of environmental challenges.

🚀 Jet Engines and the Future of Sustainable Aviation

The paragraph discusses the evolution of jet engines and their impact on the aerospace industry. It highlights the development of the UltraFan engine by Rolls-Royce, which promises to be more fuel-efficient and quieter than current engines. The potential of this technology, along with the use of adaptive sensors and eco-friendly biofuels, could lead to a more sustainable aviation industry in the future, despite the current challenges in reducing emissions from air travel.

🚄 Hyperloop and Maglev: The Future of High-Speed Transportation

This section explores the concept of Hyperloop, a high-speed rail system using magnetic levitation technology. It details the challenges and potential of achieving speeds exceeding 750 miles per hour, which could revolutionize long-distance travel. The paragraph also touches on the Float, a maglev concept car, and MONOCAB, a rail project reusing old railway lines with self-driving taxi cabins. These innovations aim to improve transportation efficiency and sustainability, though they face significant financial and infrastructural hurdles.

🤖 Generative AI: The Next Frontier in Artificial Intelligence

The final paragraph delves into generative artificial intelligence, which uses deep learning to create new outcomes from identified patterns in data. It discusses the impact of AI on various industries and the potential economic value it could generate. The paragraph also raises concerns about job displacement and wealth inequality due to AI advancements. Examples of generative AI include ChatGPT and AI art generators like DALL·E 2, which are transforming creative industries and sparking debates about authenticity and ownership in art.

Keywords

💡3-D Printed Heart

A 3-D printed heart refers to an artificial heart created using 3-D printing technology, which involves layering materials such as bio-ink infused with stem cells to form the organ. In the video, this technology is highlighted as a significant advancement in medical science, particularly for treating heart disease. The example given is from Tel Aviv University, where researchers engineered the world's first 3-D printed human heart with blood vessels and chambers, showcasing the potential to revolutionize organ transplantation by printing organs from a patient's own cells.

💡Exoskeleton

An exoskeleton in the context of the video refers to a mechanical framework designed to be worn over the body, enhancing physical capabilities. The script mentions 'Prosthesis,' a four-legged exoskeleton developed by Exosapien Technologies, which is envisioned for mech sports and has potential applications in construction for amplifying human strength. This technology illustrates the video's theme of merging humans with machines to achieve superhuman feats.

💡Microrobots

Microrobots, as discussed in the video, are tiny robots, each about 1/50th of an inch wide, capable of being controlled remotely. These crab-like robots are made from a shape-memory alloy that allows them to move in response to temperature changes. The video suggests their potential use in various industries, such as assembling microscopic components or in medical procedures, reflecting the broader theme of miniaturization and precision in technology.

💡Ferrofluid

Ferrofluid is a liquid that contains nanoscale magnetic particles, which can form intricate shapes in response to a magnetic field. The video describes its unique properties and potential applications, such as in loudspeakers or for medical treatments like targeted drug delivery. This term is integral to the video's exploration of innovative materials with extraordinary capabilities.

💡City Glider

The City Glider is a concept for futuristic footwear that can increase walking speed and distance by compressing hydraulic pistons with each step. It's designed to promote walking over driving for short distances, which aligns with the video's focus on technology that can improve daily life and potentially benefit society by reducing traffic and emissions.

💡Magnetic Confinement Fusion

Magnetic confinement fusion is a process mentioned in the video where hydrogen isotopes are heated to form plasma and confined by strong magnetic fields to initiate nuclear fusion, mimicking the sun's energy production. This technology is part of the video's narrative on harnessing near-limitless clean energy sources, with the potential to transform global energy production.

💡Aeroponics

Aeroponics is a method of growing plants without soil, where roots are suspended and misted with nutrient-rich water. The video highlights how this technology can significantly reduce water usage, increase crop yields, and speed up growth, making it a sustainable solution for future food production. It also touches on its potential for space colonization, tying into the video's overarching theme of technological innovation for a better future.

💡DuoSkin

DuoSkin refers to a type of smart tattoo developed by MIT and Microsoft Research, which acts as a wearable sensory interface. The video explains how it can turn the skin into a Bluetooth trackpad for controlling devices, showcasing the integration of electronics with the human body. This concept exemplifies the video's theme of blurring the lines between technology and biology.

💡Cyborg

A cyborg in the video is exemplified by a Madagascar cockroach that has been turned into a remote-controlled insect with a solar cell and wireless control module. This application of technology to living organisms is part of the video's exploration of bio-integration and its potential for search and rescue operations, highlighting the extreme adaptations technology can make to existing life forms.

💡Hyperloop

Hyperloop is a high-speed rail concept that uses magnetic levitation to propel pods through a vacuum tube at extremely high speeds. The video discusses the potential of this technology to revolutionize transportation but also acknowledges the current challenges in its implementation. This keyword is central to the video's examination of ambitious technological projects that aim to reshape how we travel.

💡Generative Artificial Intelligence

Generative AI is a type of artificial intelligence that uses deep learning to create new content such as text, images, or music based on patterns it identifies in existing data. The video mentions ChatGPT and AI art generators as examples, emphasizing the rapid evolution and potential impact of generative AI on various industries. This concept is key to the video's discussion on the transformative power of AI and its dual nature as a creative and potentially disruptive force.

Highlights

3D-printed heart using human stem cells and bio-ink could revolutionize heart disease treatment.

Exosapien Technologies' Prosthesis, the world's largest four-legged exoskeleton, for potential mech racing and industrial applications.

Northwestern University's microrobots made of shape-memory alloy could be used in manufacturing and medicine.

Ferrofluid's unique properties and potential for targeted drug delivery in medicine.

The City Glider, high-tech footwear that increases walking speed and reduces foot pain.

Magnetic confinement fusion's potential for near-limitless clean energy using high-temperature superconducting materials.

Aeroponic farming, which uses 90% less water and produces healthier crops faster.

DuoSkin, a smart tattoo that turns skin into a wearable Bluetooth trackpad, and the development of SkinKit for more robust applications.

Cyborg cockroaches controlled by organic solar cells for potential search and rescue operations.

The Ark, a self-sustaining floating hotel concept designed to withstand climate change effects.

Rolls-Royce's UltraFan jet engine, aiming to be the quietest and most fuel-efficient engine ever.

Graphene's potential as a wonder material for infrastructure, pending more cost-effective manufacturing methods.

Hyperloop, the high-speed rail concept using maglev technology, facing technical and financial challenges.

The Float, a concept car using maglev for autonomous gliding, requiring new magnetized road infrastructure.

MONOCAB, a rail project reusing old tracks with self-driving taxi cabins for sustainable public transport.

Generative AI's rapid evolution with applications in creating text, images, videos, and audio, raising questions about authenticity and job displacement.

Transcripts

- [Narrator] Rideable robots, cyborg insects,

and machines that recreate the inner workings of stars.

What do these have in common?

They all exist, and they're about to take over the world.

It turns out, the most imaginative innovators of our time

have some mind-boggling plans

for the future of planet Earth,

and they're already underway.

From levitating vehicles to real-life symbiotes

and robotic sneakers that walk for you,

let's take a sneak peek into the future,

with these emerging technologies that will change the world.

(light suspenseful music)

- Whoa.

(bell dings)

- [Narrator] 3-D-printed heart.

It's said that some people have a heart of gold,

while others have a heart of stone,

but what about a heart of 3-D-printed bio-ink?

In 2019, researchers at Tel Aviv University

engineered the world's first 3-D-printed human heart,

complete with genuine blood vessels and chambers.

They achieved this using human stem cells,

which have the unique ability to create any body tissue

by differentiating themselves into new cell types.

The stem cells were mixed with a gel-like

quote-unquote "bio-ink"

made of modified proteins and collagen,

to convert them into cardiac tissue.

This mixture was then 3D-printed into the artificial organ.

Pretty bonkers, right?

While the heart produced by Tel Aviv University

was only the size of a rabbit's heart

and couldn't beat autonomously,

it's still a groundbreaking step

in the treatment of heart disease,

which is the leading cause of death in the United States.

Instead of waiting on donor organs, which are very rare

and often biologically incompatible with patients,

doctors of the future could simply print partial

or full-size, functional hearts,

engineered from a patient's own stem cells.

While scaling this up for humans,

and getting the hearts to function correctly

are still some distance away,

this promising advancement could reform heart surgeries

around the world.

And, be honest, wouldn't you kinda like

to 3D-print your own spare heart?

You could name it and keep it on your mantelpiece

to freak out guests.

All robots great and small.

From chariot races to Formula 1,

racing sports have certainly seen great change

throughout history.

But what if I told you the big racing sports of the future

might involve massive, mechanized exoskeletons?

In 2020, Canadian company, Exosapien Technologies,

revealed Prosthesis,

the world's largest four-legged exoskeleton.

Standing 14 feet tall and weighing a colossal 9,000 pounds,

this fully operational, all-electric mech suit

can generate 200 horsepower,

which it uses to gallop at speeds

of up to 21 miles per hour.

Its creators plan to scale the technology

into an International Mech Sports League,

with trained mecha-athletes

racing through complex obstacle courses

by piloting their own Prosthesis prototypes.

To become a class 1 mech pilot,

you need to complete a five-day boot camp

at the official Mech Ranch

in the mountains of British Columbia,

for a small fee of just under $20,000.

Ouch.

With enough interest, future generations

might be crowding into stadiums

to watch these massive machines go head-to-head

in mech racing world championships.

Even if that vision doesn't play out,

giant exoskeleton technology

could still have major implications

for the construction industry.

Smaller exoskeletons, like the EksoVest,

are already being used to boost the upper-body strength

of construction workers by 15 pounds.

But Prosthesis would represent a massive upgrade to this.

Its industrial-grade hydraulic limbs

amplify the pilot's strength by 50 times,

allowing large and heavy objects to be lifted, dragged,

or crushed with ease.

While they don't quite possess the power output

of "Pacific Rim's" Jaegers just yet,

these giant exoskeletons could very well be the pioneers

of humanity's highly mechanized future.

If you want one as badly as I do,

let me know in the comments below.

At the opposite end of the robot spectrum, in 2022,

engineers at Northwestern University

revealed a collection of the world's smallest-ever

remote-controlled robots.

Each just 1/50th of an inch wide,

these crab-like microrobots

are made of a shape-memory alloy, which deforms under heat

and returns to its original shape when cool.

This process of heating and cooling,

controlled by a scanning laser beam,

moves the robot's joints, basically allowing it to walk.

While pretty neat just to observe,

this technology could open up new possibilities

across multiple industries.

Manufacturers could utilize microrobots to assemble

or repair microscopic components in products.

Doctors could deploy them

as minimally invasive surgical assistants,

to clear clogged arteries or eliminate cancerous tumors.

So, as long as these things don't start swarming together

in a world-dominating dance-off,

we can undoubtedly expect micro-robotics

to transform the world for the better.

Real symbiotes.

While the prospect of world-changing technology

is incredibly exciting, it can also look a little creepy,

check this out.

(light funky music)

Nope, this isn't the Venom-symbiote-come-to-life,

this is an unbelievable material known as ferrofluid.

Ferrofluid is a fascinating material

that acts like a magnetic solid

and a liquid at the same time.

Made up of suspended, magnetic iron oxide nanoparticles,

when there's no magnet around, these particles move freely,

giving ferrofluid its liquid appearance.

However, when held near a magnet,

the liquid automatically reshapes itself into an organized,

spiky formation, in perfect alignment

with usually invisible magnetic field lines.

But this symbiote is far more

than just a magnetic performer.

When the first ferrofluid was invented by NASA engineer

Steve Papell back in 1963,

the original idea was that if these magnetic particles

were added to rocket fuel,

NASA would be able to move it around in zero gravity

with a magnetic field.

While that idea didn't pan out,

ferrofluid has still been able to continuously change

the morphing face of technology ever since its invention.

Today, ferrofluid can be found

in some fascinating applications.

Here, you can see the stuff suspended in water

inside a loudspeaker

that actively adapts its electromagnetic field

based on audio input signal, making the ferrofluid dance.

Groovy, Venom, groovy.

It's also used in regular loudspeakers to dampen vibrations,

as well as in computer hard drives,

but some scientists believe that it could be a game-changer

in revolutionizing medical science.

Due to its magnetic nature,

ferrofluid has been proposed by some scientists

for magnetic drug targeting.

In this process, life-saving medication

would be immersed in a ferrofluid

and injected into a patient.

Doctors would then be able to use changing magnetic fields

to direct the medication-laden ferrofluid

to its specific target in the body.

While Venom isn't exactly the poster child

for the preservation of human life,

it turns out his real-life counterpart

could ultimately prove a true superhero.

Futuristic footwear.

There's no doubt that the likes of Nike

and Adidas are the top dogs when it comes to sneakers.

But now there's a new kick on the block

that might just revolutionize the future of walking.

The City Glider is a high-tech, next-generation footwear

that can effortlessly increase the walker's speed

and walking distance.

Proposed by Singaporean designer Frederick Phua,

the, frankly, insane City Glider

is designed to compress a pair of hydraulic pistons

hidden inside the shoe

every time the wearer's heel hits the ground.

These pistons then release that pressure

when the wearer reaches

the midstance position in their stride,

propelling them forward with every step

by an additional few inches.

Kinda like a reverse moonwalk,

but with the tricky part done for you as you slide on ahead.

And thanks to its innovative shape

and lightweight materials like carbon fiber,

the City Glider also has a shock absorption effect,

which helps protect the wearer's joints

and reduces foot pain.

It's the perfect blend of fashion and functionality,

designed to encourage walking over motor vehicles

for short journeys, hopefully reducing road congestion,

accidents, and gas emissions.

So, not only would City Gliders bring

a futuristic flair to your wardrobe,

they might also benefit society

when they finally go up for sale in the coming years.

Magnets of the stars.

Beyond providing our refrigerators

with a touch of personality, you may not think magnets

have much importance in our daily lives.

But, in reality, magnets,

and especially their electromagnet cousins,

are used on an industrial scale every day-

- Magnets! Oh!

- [Narrator] From power transformers

to removing metal contaminants from countless waste products

and scrapped infrastructure.

While powerful machines like this electromagnet crane

will continue to play an intrinsic role

in modern manufacturing,

physicists have also started to utilize strong magnets

in the pursuit of near-limitless clean energy,

via nuclear fusion.

In a process known as magnetic confinement fusion,

a swirling soup of hydrogen atoms,

or hydrogen isotopes, to be precise,

are heated to the extreme until they become plasma.

This hot plasma is confined and pressurized

by an intense electromagnetic field,

generated inside a large,

donut-shaped device called a tokamak.

After being heated to over 180 million degrees Fahrenheit,

eventually, there's a chance the hydrogen isotopes

will begin to fuse, forming helium,

like they do in the heart of the sun.

It's a process that releases enormous amounts of energy

but is incredibly hard to initiate and maintain,

as the plasma tends to cool after initial fusion occurs.

But how exactly does it kick off in the first place?

Tokamaks typically produce the insanely strong,

plasma-inducing electromagnetic fields

by passing an electric current

through large coils of copper wire,

which surround the plasma-containment chamber.

Copper is pretty inefficient for this purpose, though,

so in 2021, researchers at the Massachusetts Institute

of Technology developed an electromagnet

that uses high-temperature superconducting materials

instead of copper coils.

This material creates stronger

long-lasting electromagnetic fields

than had ever previously been recorded on Earth,

which, very handily, minimizes that pesky

fusion plasma cooling we just heard about.

And less cooling means more harvestable energy.

The nifty material also allows tokamaks

to take up 40 times less volume,

making them both quicker and cheaper to build.

While fusion-generated energy

is a huge focus of the scientific community,

it's not ready to be used

as a mainstream commercial power source just yet,

given that it requires a lot more energy to induce fusion

than can be harvested from it.

But physicists do have high hopes

for the International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor,

set to open in France in 2025,

where the new high-temperature

superconducting electromagnets will be a key component.

Try saying that five times fast.

Jokes aside, if it works, it would be like wielding

our very own miniature Sun on Earth,

fueling our civilization

with almost endless amounts of energy.

So, no big deal, really.

Cosmic cultivation.

There are few better examples

of how humans have overcome the natural restrictions

placed on us by Mother Nature

than the incredible development of farming technology.

But as far as high-tech farming's concerned,

humans are just getting started.

While this might look like the unholy spawn

of some Lovecraftian abomination,

what you're looking at here

is the farming method of the future.

It's known as aeroponics,

in which plants are grown entirely without soil.

Instead, roots are suspended in the air

and irrigated with a nutrient-dense mist to help them grow.

Because the nutrients are administered directly to the roots

and not absorbed by soil,

the aeroponic method uses up to 90% less water,

which also leaves the plants less vulnerable to pests

and diseases.

Not only that but aeroponic farming

has been found to produce healthier crops

five times faster than traditional farming.

It's particularly effective

for harvesting tubers like potatoes,

which, despite normally growing from roots underground,

can produce over 10 times bigger yields

when grown aeroponically.

As global population growth

relentlessly increases demand for food,

while simultaneously reducing the resources

and farmland needed to balance it,

the benefits of aeroponic technology

are becoming ever more important.

Considering aeroponic farms can be set up anywhere,

including stacked up in skyscrapers,

the ultra-spatially-efficient method

is currently gathering momentum worldwide,

with countless aeroponic farms now stationed

across the Americas, Europe, the Middle East, and India.

But get this:

The promise of aeroponic technology

might even transcend our home planet.

Since 1999, NASA has been refining

an inflatable aeroponic system

to support manned missions to the Moon

and even Mars by 2050.

Not only is the device lightweight

and compact for easy storage aboard spacecraft,

but each unit can produce 1,000 bunches of lettuce, herbs,

and other vegetables in just 25 days.

Only time will tell whether aeroponics

or some other food tech we haven't discovered yet

is the answer to feeding the first human colonies

on the Martian landscape and beyond.

But for now, it certainly is feeding my amazement

at the power of human ingenuity.

Electronic skin.

They say that beauty is only skin deep,

and that actually applies in our next case

of emerging technology.

Developed in 2016 by engineers at MIT

and Microsoft Research, DuoSkin is a type of smart tattoo

that acts as a wearable sensory interface.

Amazingly, this smart tattoo can turn your skin

into a wearable Bluetooth trackpad

or controller for remotely controlling your smart devices.

Made of extremely thin electronic circuitry

combined with gold and silver leaf,

these metallic skin computers

can be safely applied to your body

like normal temporary tattoos.

But like any temporary tattoo,

DuoSkin only last for a few days at the most.

That was until, in 2022, researchers at Cornell University

devised a more robust, reusable version called the SkinKit.

The SkinKit is a collection of skintight computer modules

that can be easily attached to almost any part of the body

via an adhesive silicon layer.

Each module carries a flexible printed circuit board

preprogrammed to carry out a wide range of customizable,

everyday functions.

Reportedly, SkinKits can act as body temperature sensors

for detecting illnesses,

or as safety devices for the visually impaired,

vibrating signals to aid with navigation.

They could also help athletes

track their training performance

or serve as wearable flashlights for working in the dark.

While there are a few drawbacks

to the SkinKit's operability,

particularly under wet conditions,

the versatility and convenience of skin computers

might eventually see them more widely used

than the smartphones of today.

I can see my future elderly self now:

"When I was a youngster we only had TikTok to look at.

"Young people today are only concerned

"with their robot bodies.

"Oh, such a shame."

(clearing throat) Speaking of robots,

it turns out humans aren't the only beings

that might end up infused with electronic capabilities.

In 2022, scientists at the Riken Research Institute in Japan

successfully turned a Madagascar cockroach

into a rechargeable, remote-controlled cyborg.

A tiny solar cell,

constructed of innovative organic, lab-grown crystals,

is mounted on the insect's back.

This supplies power to a wireless control module,

which electrically stimulates sensory organs,

known as cerci, to produce movement.

Bizarrely, with all this, the insect can be steered

like an RC car for several minutes at a time.

The nutty professors behind this endeavor

hope these bio-machine integrations could, in the future,

help gather data in hazardous locations

or locate survivors under rubble

following natural disasters.

As improvements are made

to the solar cell's charging capacity,

armies of these computerized critters

could very well become the bees' knees of search

and rescue technology in the not-so-distant future.

Which is simultaneously cool as heck, and terrifying.

Noah's Ark.

Rising sea levels are one of the greatest threats

to our world today,

particularly for those settled near shorelines.

But, in the future, instead of fleeing further inland,

these populations could actually end up seeking refuge

further offshore.

This nautilus-shaped structure is known as the Ark,

a unique hotel concept that's designed to accommodate

for the damaging effects of climate change.

Proposed in 2011 by Russian architecture firm Remistudio,

this ultramodern take on Noah's Ark

could be constructed on land or sea using wind, solar,

and water-based energy technologies

to function as an independent life-support system.

That's a fancy way of saying its inhabitants

never have to leave.

The Ark's proposed framework is covered in a special,

transparent foil called ethylene tetrafluoroethylene.

Not only is this mouthful of a material cheaper, lighter,

and more durable than glass, it's also self-cleaning

thanks to its inherent nonstick properties.

The high-tech exterior also features

a rainwater collection system, solar cells,

and a wind turbine at the top,

all together providing renewable energy

and water to the inhabitants.

The interior features

over 150,000 square feet of living space,

which includes its very own jungle-like microclimate,

with numerous plant species

specially adapted for their oxygen-producing qualities.

While all these individual technologies

have existed for decades,

the Ark would be the first to bring them all together

in the context of a self-sustaining, floating hotel,

the likes of which we've never seen before.

Unfortunately, the concept is still waiting on investment

to help kickstart its construction.

But, considering countries like Dubai United Arab Emirates

are currently injecting cash

into the construction of floating,

self-sustaining luxury resorts right now,

our Ark future may not be as far over

the oceanic horizon as it seems.

Flaming Fury.

While the jet engine itself is nothing new,

it's an invention which new innovations continue to evolve,

and in doing so, are continually changing the world

as we know it.

From their mid-20th century origins,

through to the military-grade F110 turbofans of the '80s,

which are still used in supersonic

F-16 Fighting Falcon planes today,

jet engines completely changed the aerospace industry

when they appeared on the scene.

Turbofans like this F110, pioneered by General Electric,

might look like a sci-fi fantasy,

but this 15-foot-long behemoth

can pump out 29,000 pounds of thrust,

which, believe me, would feel very real to stand behind.

Such intense jets of flaming fury are produced

as the fans on the front of a jet suck in air,

compressing it to extreme pressures and heat,

before combining with fuel and igniting.

And boom.

Looks pretty darn cool, doesn't it?

Scientists are constantly pushing the boundaries

of the jet engine's power,

and while creations like this see-thru acrylic micro engine

created by the Warped Perception YouTube channel

are amazing to behold, the jet industry comes at a price.

Researchers have calculated

that jet engine usage in aviation contributes to around

4% of the total global warming caused by humans.

So, scientists have been working

to find ways to reduce aviation emissions,

and recently, there's been a breakthrough.

In May 2023, Rolls-Royce completed the first successful test

of its new green UltraFan jet engine.

UltraFan is tipped to be the quietest

and most fuel-efficient engine ever,

delivering around 10% better fuel efficiency

than the world's current most efficient aero-engine,

the Trent XWB.

These new innovations,

paired with super high-tech adaptive sensors

that adjust jet performance based on weather,

and the development of eco-friendly biofuels,

could, in the next few decades,

see the industry of the jet become equally as sustainable

as it is, frankly, cool as hell.

Graphene gyroids.

Since its discovery in 2004,

researchers around the world have championed graphene

as the so-called wonder material of the future.

Not only is it the strongest material

currently known to man,

given that it's essentially a sheet of carbon

one-atom-thick, it's also even lighter than paper,

and it's highly electrically conductive.

So why isn't this technology being utilized

in every corner of the Earth now?

Well, current production methods

are too expensive to be viable at mass scale.

But once the manufacturing side catches up,

there are some astounding applications waiting.

In 2017, researchers at MIT designed this bizarre,

three-dimensional, sponge-like structure known as a gyroid.

They tested the strength of this unique geometric formation

by 3-D-printing a model using a pink commercial plastic,

then subjecting it to a hydraulic press compression test.

The thin-walled model held up extremely well

under an increasingly massive load,

compared to a much thicker variation,

which demonstrated how a material's geometry alone

can massively improve its strength.

According to these researchers,

a graphene-based version of the gyroid

could be made by fusing together 2-D flakes of graphene

through cycles of intense heat and pressure.

This version would be 10 times stronger than steel

and 95% less dense, making it an ideal substitute

for steel and concrete in infrastructure.

But since graphene is prohibitively difficult

and expensive to manufacture right now,

it could be some time before the graphene revolution,

when the buildings of our world

begin to look very different indeed.

Floating locomotion.

While locomotives already changed

the course of global history once before

in the Industrial Revolution,

even today, there are advances being made,

with some wild new ideas promising to leave commuters

literally floating on air.

Hyperloop is a high-speed rail concept

famously promoted by Elon Musk,

which aims to implements a fascinating technology

known as maglev, short for magnetic levitation.

The proposed Hyperloop system

works using sets of electromagnets

to first repel the train off the ground,

then hover it forward through a vacuum tube.

With this technology, Hyperloop trains

could theoretically exceed blistering speeds

of 750 miles per hour,

which is almost 20% faster than commercial aircraft.

Since 2014, an American startup called Hyperloop One

has been collaborating with Virgin to develop the concept.

Early iterations were envisioned

with a ducted fan at the front,

to efficiently channel any traces

of air remaining in the vacuum tube

out the back of the carriage.

A newer version, known as the XP-2 pod,

has taken took on a sleek, aerodynamic design instead.

It's been It was tested over 400 times

at the 1,640-feet-long DevLoop testing tube

in the Nevada desert,

including a handful of tests with human passengers.

While some spokespeople have predicted that, by 2030,

these maglev pods will be making commercial trips

from Los Angeles to San Francisco in just 45 minutes,

there have been major obstacles

bringing the concept to life.

For one thing, the pods only reached

a top speed of 100 miles per hour

during human passenger tests in 2020.

Then nearly all the top executives

and founders attached to the Hyperloop project

dropped out during the global pandemic.

On top of that, while most experts agreed

the Hyperloop is technically feasible,

it's financially impossible to achieve today,

and in December 2023,

the project was declared officially defunct.

While maglev technology is a way off

from becoming mainstream,

its potential future is nonetheless exciting.

Uses of maglev have also been proposed for our future roads.

The Float is a futuristic concept car

first envisioned in 2017 by automotive designer Yuchen Cai.

The gravity-defying vehicle,

made up of conjoined glass bubbles,

utilizes maglev components to autonomously glide

and swivel in all directions.

Unfortunately, the Float could only operate

if our current road infrastructure

was replaced by electrically powered magnetized tracks,

which would take a tremendous investment of time and money.

The main issue with maglev technology

is that it would require building billions

upon billions of dollars worth of new infrastructure.

However, some technologies

are taking the more sustainable route

by capitalizing on the opportunity to preserve

and extend the infrastructure we've already got.

MONOCAB is an ingenious rail project

being developed in Germany

that makes use of disused rail tracks

to provide public transport.

The concept, developed by German startup Monocar Technology,

makes use of self-driving taxi cabins

that have been specially designed

to run along old railway lines.

Utilizing an app similar to Uber,

the service has been put forward

as an alternative to driving, especially in rural areas

where there is little to no public transport.

While there's been no official word on when MONOCABs

could become mainstream,

reusing old, abandoned infrastructure

may just be the ticket to future-proofing

our transportation.

Generative artificial intelligence.

As the creators of so many

insanely sophisticated technologies,

we humans often consider ourselves

the most intelligent beings in the world.

But that might change once and for all

with the development of artificial intelligence,

which can process specific information

billions of times faster than our own brains can.

While AI is already reforming nearly every industry

on a global scale,

generative AI represents one of the most fascinating

and rapidly evolving branches.

Generative AI employs a concept called deep learning,

in which the AI program is exposed to vast amounts of data

to identify patterns within it.

The program then uses these patterns

to create new outcomes on command,

including text, images, videos, and audio.

The most famous example is currently ChatGPT,

the text-based generative AI tool

launched by OpenAI in 2022.

The AI is trained using natural language data

from across the internet and can write essays, debug codes,

and even play "D&D" with you.

With its mind-blowing versatility,

no wonder ChatGPT has already taken the world by storm,

being visited online over 1.8 billion times every month.

Meanwhile, AI art generators, like DALL·E 2 and Midjourney,

are also becoming increasingly potent and hotly debated.

These advanced programs can take almost any text input

and near-instantly translate it

into an intricate masterpiece.

Despite questions being raised about the value,

authenticity, and ownership of AI-generated artwork,

it certainly has opened up a whole new market

within the creative industries.

Some AI paintings have controversially

started winning art competitions,

while others have even been sold for as much

as $432,000 at auction.

There's no doubt AI

will continue to change the world beyond belief,

but will it be for the better?

On one hand, some theorize generative AI

could unlock up to $8.8 trillion of value per year

in the global economy by improving companies' productivity.

But others predict it may cause the displacement

of up to 300 million jobs, widening wealth inequality

and reshaping the global socioeconomic landscape

for the worse.

Dang.

I wonder if ChatGPT can tell us

how to fix that little conundrum.

(gentle thoughtful music)

Which of these game-changing new technologies

do you think will have the greatest impact on the world?

And are there any insane technologies

you've heard about recently?

Let me know in the comments,

and as always, thanks for watching.