Technology plays a crucial role in shaping our day-to-day activities. It transforms how we live, respond and interact with people. Technology can make our lives extremely comfortable and convenient. However, there are a lot of technologies we know very little about or maybe had no idea of their existence. Yet, they play a significant role in determining the quality of our lives. Some of these are-
1. CRISPR-CAS9
It is a revolutionary tool in the domain of Science and Technology. CRISPR stands for Clustered Regularly Interspaced Short Palindromic Repeats and is a genetic sequence found in certain kinds of bacteria whereas CAS9 is an enzyme that works along with CRISPR. CRISPR-CAS9 allows researchers and scientists to mutate or make changes in the DNA of various plants, animals and humans. It holds tremendous power in treating diseases which are caused by the unhealthy mutation of the DNA, for eg, cancers. It can also help cause mutations in plant DNAs to make them resistant to disease, give better yield and increase the produce.
2. Neuralink
This is a neurotechnology company co-founded by Elon Musk. It aims at building brain-machine interface (BMI) devices. These will then be implanted directly into humans in order to establish a connection between the brain and external devices like the computer. The mission of Neuralink is to address neurological disorders and improve human cognitive functions. It aims at integrating human and Artificial Intelligence system for improved communication for people with learning and speech disabilities.
3. Synthetic Biology
It is a multidisciplinary field that involves working with various principles of Biology, Computer Science and Engineering. Just as engineers build complex machines and systems, synthetic biology constructs biological systems with specific functions. It helps in making diagnostic tools and helps in the treatment of cancer.
4. Hypersonic Flights
These are flights that can travel at a speed five times faster than that of sound, known as Mach 5. These offer advantages like reduced travel time and much better military capabilities. These often have sleek profiles and advanced thermal protection systems in place. They are of extreme importance to the military. They have rapid strike capabilities and the ability to tackle advanced air defence system. Countries like The USA, China and Russia are heavily investing in the research and development of hypersonic flights.
5. Bioprinting
It combines the principles of Biology, engineering and 3D printing to help create tissues and organs. This is an emerging technology that could help save millions of lives all over the world. It holds significant importance in the domain drug development. It can help in making personalised medicines by using the patient’s cells or tissues to make it more acceptable by the body.
6. Vertical Farming
It is an up and coming technology where crops are cultivated in layers vertically or on inclined areas in a indoor controlled environment. It aims at maximising crop production in a limited space, allowing better resource usage. Factors like sunlight, water and temperature play a crucial role in the growth of crops. Artificial lighting such as LED lights can be used where enough sunlight can’t be reached.
7. 5G – Technology
5G-Technology, short form for fifth-generation technology is the latest generation of wireless communication. It provides significantly faster data transfer compared to the other generations. It allows for quick and easy real-time data transfers. It can support millions of devices connected together simultaneously.
8. Nanotechnology
It is a multidisciplinary field that involves manipulation and control of various matter at a nanoscale. These materials often exhibit properties different from their bulk properties as they have small size and high surface-to-volume ratio. Nano sensors can detect various parameters like high sensitivity, temperature and pressure
9. Energy Harvesting
It is also known as energy scavenging or power harvesting. It captures energy from surroundings to run electronic devices and systems. It reduces dependence on traditional energy sources and is cost-effective and environmentally friendly. Each source requires different technologies and harnessing methods. It can be used in wearable devices, remote sensing systems, autonomous devices and Internet of Things (IoT).
10. Blockchain
It is a decentralized technology that monitors transactions occurring across nodes and computers. All the transactions are digitally signed and decentralization makes it difficult to manipulate any data or information. Blockchain gained world-wide popularity due to it’s use in cryptocurrency like Bitcoin and Ethereum for secure transactions. Blockchain technology has the potential to give major break-throughs in various industries by providing a secure and transparent process for transfer of data.
