The latest scientific achievements of the cutting-edge are laid down. The most important scientific discoveries and technical achievements in modern Russia and the possibilities of their application in the country's economy

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The new year has begun, and therefore the BBC Russian Service has chosen the 10 most striking scientific and technical achievements of the past 12 months.

1. The path to rapid genome editing has been opened

A group of Chinese geneticists reported in a scientific publication earlier this year the first successful episode of editing the DNA of a human embryo using the CRISPR method.

The method of site-selective genome editing using an enzyme that recognizes the required sequence of a DNA strand based on the guidance of a complementary RNA guide promises revolutionary changes in the research and treatment of a number of diseases: from cancer and incurable viral diseases to hereditary genetic disorders such as sickle cell anemia and Down syndrome.

However, many biologists are calling for extreme caution in using this method of genetic engineering - for ethical reasons.

2. Autonomous power systems Powerwall

The head of the American company Tesla Motors, Elon Musk, said at a press conference that he is starting mass production of powerful lithium-ion Powerwall batteries that will be able to accumulate a large charge and gradually release it into the network as needed.

This system with a power of up to 10 kW/h is intended for use in private homes and small businesses.

The batteries can be charged from solar panels and other power sources.

The widespread use of this device has the potential to completely transform power distribution mechanisms in the future. The batteries are already being produced and are used in the famous Volta series electric vehicles.

3. There is liquid water on Mars

Scientists exploring Mars have said that the dark streaks that appear on the planet's surface during the warmer months may be formed by periodic flows of liquid water.

NASA satellite images show characteristic streaks on the mountain slopes, similar to salt deposits.

As stated in a study conducted by scientists from the Georgia Institute of Technology led by astronomer Lujendra Oji and published in the journal Nature Geoscience, these data may mean that life may still exist on Mars in some form, since the presence of water increases the likelihood of the existence of primitive its forms - say, microbes.

4. Bionic lenses will end cataracts and myopia

Canadian optometrist Dr. Gareth Webb has invented a new system of bionic lenses that allows a person to achieve visual acuity three times greater than normal.

The Ocumetics Bionioc Lens system is implanted into the eye in a simple, painless surgical procedure that takes eight minutes.

A tiny biomechanical camera built into the lens allows you to change focal length faster than a healthy eye.

5. Neurons made of polymers

Swedish researchers have created the world's first artificial neuron that can completely imitate the functions of a human brain cell, including its ability to transform chemical signals into electrical impulses and transmit them to other types of cells.

So far, the physical dimensions of such devices are tens of times greater than the parameters of real neurons in the human brain. However, as the leader of the research team, Agneta Richter-Dahlfors from the Karolinska Institute in Stockholm, said, reduction to the desired size is quite possible in the near future.

Transplanting such devices into the brain will radically change the treatment of neurological diseases such as Parkinson's syndrome and spinal cord injuries.

6. A step towards a working fusion reactor

Californian company Tri Alpha Energy, which few have heard of until now, has achieved major success in confining plasma with a temperature of 10 million degrees Celsius.

The company's experimental fusion facility uses not external magnets to confine plasma, as in Tokamaks, but beams of charged particles that are shot into the plasma and create a confining "cage" around it. The researchers managed to achieve a plasma confinement duration of 5 milliseconds, which is the largest breakthrough in the field of fusion research.

7. Fake memories can be transplanted

Neuroscientists in France were the first to implant fake memories into the brains of mice.

Using implanted electrodes to directly stimulate and record the activity of neurons, they created associative connections in the minds of sleeping animals that did not disappear upon awakening and influenced their behavior.

Karim Benchenan and his colleagues at the National Center for Scientific Research in Paris conducted experiments on 40 mice, implanting electrodes in the medial forebrain bundle, which controls emotions associated with food and reward, as well as in the CA1 region of the hippocampus, which contains at least three different types of cells , which encode information necessary for spatial orientation.

8. Found a way to make morphine from yeast

Scientists have developed a way to convert sugar into morphine and other similar painkillers using yeast.

Nowadays, painkillers are made from opium poppies.

Because heroin is also made from morphine, scientists warn the discovery will make it easier to make the drug at home.

9. Pluto's surface is riddled with deep grooves

In July of this year, the American space probe New Horizons reached the vicinity of the dwarf planet Pluto and its system of satellites, the largest of which is Charon. The photographs sent became a sensation in planetary science and revealed completely unexpected features of the planet’s topography and the mechanism of its formation.

Pluto has a rarefied atmosphere and even a change of seasons.

10. Three-parent fertilization is now a reality.

The British Parliament has approved a bill legalizing artificial insemination using genetic material from three parents.

Some women have defective mitochondrial genes, which can lead to the birth of children with serious genetic diseases - muscular dystrophy, heart defects, neurological disorders. The new method makes it possible to replace mitochondria in an egg using material obtained from a donor, and not just from natural parents.

Areas of human activity in which Russia is among the top five:

1. Agriculture. In the 2010s Russia has regained its position as the largest agricultural exporter in the world, which it occupied at the beginning of the 20th century. At the same time, Russia ranks only fourth in the world in terms of area of ​​cultivated agricultural land.

2. Restoration of biological resources. In 2014, WWF experts stated that Russia is the only large country in the world whose biological resources are growing (we are talking about forest reserves, fish and other renewable natural resources).

3. General production of energy and electricity. Russia ranks third in the world in terms of total energy production (after China and the USA, 2010).

4. Petrochemical industry. Russia ranks third in the world in the production of petroleum products (after the USA and China, 2015).

5. Construction of nuclear power plants. Russia ranks first in the world in the number of simultaneously constructed nuclear power plants abroad. Significant construction projects are also underway inside Russia, including the construction of advanced fast neutron reactors and the development of a closed fuel cycle, which is dramatically increasing the resource base of nuclear energy

6. Metallurgy. Russia ranks fifth in the world in iron ore mining and steel production (2015) and is a leader in a number of areas of non-ferrous metallurgy.

7. Defense industry, aviation industry and shipbuilding. Russia has the second largest military-industrial complex in the world (after the United States), and ranks first in many areas of production and technology. Russia ranks second in the world in arms exports.

8. Military and special aircraft construction. In 2014, Russia took first place in the world in the production of military aircraft, overtaking the United States in the production of combat aircraft.

9. Production and export of systems. Russia ranks first in the world in export supplies of medium and short-range air defense systems. Russian S-300 and S-400 air defense systems are considered the best in the world.

10. Metrotransport. Russia ranks fifth in the world in terms of the total length of metro lines (after China, the USA, South Korea and Japan).

11. Trolleybus transport. Russia ranks first in the world in the number of cities equipped with trolleybuses.

12. Helicopter transport. Russia has the world's second largest fleet of helicopters, both civilian and military (after the USA, 2016).

13. Space. Russia has been the leader in the number of space launches for many years and since 2011 has been the only country conducting regular manned flights.

14. Television and radio. Russian television and radio are among the most developed and technologically advanced in the world. Russia ranks first or one of the first places in the world in the number of television stations/TV channels, of which there are at least 3,300; Russia also occupies one of the first places in the world in the number of radio stations, of which there are about 2,400 (2016).

15. Foreign broadcasting. The Russian channel RT broadcasts in English, Spanish and Arabic, reaches more than 700 million viewers worldwide and is the most viewed news channel on YouTube (over 3 billion views).

16. Mobile communications. Russia is in fifth place in the world in terms of the number of mobile phones used (their number is one and a half times the size of the population). Mobile communications in Russia are one of the highest quality and cheapest in the world. Russia is one of the leaders in the implementation of fifth-generation 5G mobile communication networks: the first tests of 5G technology were carried out in Russia in June 2016 by the MegaFon operator together with the Chinese company Huawei. On September 22, 2016, Megafon launched the world's fastest mobile 5G Internet in demo mode. According to plans, it should be fully operational in 2018, two years before the expected introduction of 5G as an international standard.

17. Satellite navigation. Russia operates the GLONASS system, one of two fully deployed global navigation satellite systems in the world, along with the American GPS.

18. Internet. Russia has the cheapest wired Internet among the 50 largest countries by GDP. Russia ranks sixth in the world in the number of Internet users (2015) and seventh in the number of broadband Internet users (2014). Russia is the third-largest country in the world in terms of Internet traffic (2015), and Russian is the second most popular language on the Internet, after English (2013).

19. Cybersecurity. Kaspersky Anti-Virus and other Kaspersky Lab products have more than 400 million users worldwide and occupy the first place in the cybersecurity software market in Europe.

20. Mathematics. Since 1991, six Russians or people from Russia have received the Fields Medal, the most prestigious award in the world of mathematics. According to this indicator for this period, Russia shares first place with the United States and France.

21. Synthesis of new chemical elements. All new chemical elements recognized by science, starting from 1999, were synthesized in Russia at JINR (Dubna), and two of these six elements were named in honor of Russian scientists (flerovium - in honor of Georgy Flerov, oganesson - in honor of Yuri Oganesyan), and another element, Muscovy, is named after the Moscow region

22. Theoretical and experimental physics. Russia continues to be one of the leaders in physical science. Since 1991, five Russian scientists or people from Russia have received Nobel Prizes in physics (which is less than the same figure for the United States, Japan and Great Britain, and equal to the figure for France and Germany during the same period).

23. Physics of elementary particles. Russian scientists and equipment suppliers played a prominent role in the construction of the Large Hadron Collider. The project involved approximately 700 specialists from Russia who participated in the development of the LHC detectors. In 1997, Russian scientists D. Dyakonov, M. Polyakov and V. Petrov predicted the pentaquark particle, which was discovered during an experiment at the Large Hadron Collider in July 2015.

24. Thermonuclear energy. Russia plays a key role in the International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor project, financing 1/11 of its cost and supplying much of the equipment. The project is led by Russian scientist Evgeny Velikhov.

25. Plasma physics. In 2016, Russian physicists from the Institute of Nuclear Physics (INP) named after. G.I. Budker of the Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences was the first in Russia to achieve stable plasma heating to 10 million degrees. Russia has the greatest experience in the development and operation of tokamaks - devices for producing high-temperature plasma in a magnetic field.

26. Gravitational astronomy. In 2015–2016 With the key participation of Russian physicists, within the framework of the international LIGO project, gravitational waves of space-time were discovered and recorded for the first time in history. The idea of ​​using a Michelson interferometer to create a gravitational wave detector was first proposed by Russian scientists Mikhail Herzenstein and Vladislav Pustovoit back in 1962.

27. Radio astronomy. In 2011, Russia launched into orbit the world's largest space telescope - the Radioastron radio telescope, which allows obtaining the highest angular resolution in the entire history of astronomy.

28. Geography. Russia is one of the few countries that successfully conducts classical geographical research. In 1996, Russian polar explorers finally discovered Lake Vostok, the largest subglacial lake in Antarctica. During the Arctic 2007 expedition, for the first time in history, people reached the bottom at the North Pole. In 2013, a new island was discovered in the Arctic - the westernmost of the group of New Siberian Islands, called Yaya Island.. In 2014, an expedition of speleologists from Moscow State University led by Andrei Shuvalov set a world record - descent to a depth of 2199 m ...

29. Paleontology of the Quaternary period. Russia is one of the leaders in the study of paleontology of the Quaternary period (Anthropocene, from 2.5 million years ago to the present time). In 1993, the remains of the world's last population of mammoths were discovered, living on Wrangel Island from 7 to 3.5 thousand years ago, during the construction of the Egyptian pyramids. In 2012, Russian scientists managed to germinate seeds 25,000 - 40,000 years old found in the Kolyma permafrost, which immediately increased the record age of sprouted ancient seeds by an order of magnitude. In 2014, Russian scientists “revived” the largest giant virus known to science, 30 thousand years old - the virus turned out to be capable of infecting its amoeba hosts. In Russia there is a unique Pleistocene Park, where an experiment is being conducted to recreate the ecosystem of the “mammoth tundra steppes” of the Pleistocene era.

30. Archeology. Modern Russian archeology is one of the most successful in the world, and Russian archaeologists are constantly making discoveries of world significance. In 1993, a 25,000-year-old mummy was discovered in Altai - the famous “Princess of Ukok”. During excavations of the Novosvobodnaya culture in Adygea under the leadership of Alexey Rezepkin, the world's oldest sword (proto-sword), the oldest architectural column, and the oldest wooden string instrument were found. In 2000, the oldest book of Rus' was discovered - the Novgorod Codex (about 1000). Also, over the past decades, many new birch bark documents have been found (not only in Novgorod, but also in Moscow, Vologda and other cities). In 2008, in the Denisova Cave in Altai, the remains of the extinct Denisovan man were found, who turned out to be the closest relative of Neanderthals and modern humans, and the ancestor of modern Melanesians. In 2015, Russian archaeologists managed to discover the remains of the first capital of Egypt - the legendary white walls of Memphis. In 2016, the world's oldest needle, 50 thousand years old, was discovered in the Denisova Cave in Altai.

31. Restoration and reconstruction of cultural monuments. In the second half of the 20th century, one of the strongest restoration schools in the world emerged in Russia - in many ways this happened forcedly, due to the enormous losses of cultural heritage as a result of wars and revolutions in the first half of the century. Since then, thousands of destroyed churches, hundreds of noble estates, dozens of royal residences and many other architectural monuments have been restored in Russia. Much was recreated from scratch - for example, the famous Cathedral of Christ the Savior in Moscow, the Amber Room in St. Petersburg, Big Chrysostom in Yekaterinburg.

32. Animation. Modern Russian cartoons are among the highest quality and most popular in the world. Thus, the Russian cartoon “Masha and the Bear” was broadcast on channels in almost 60 countries and is the most viewed cartoon on YouTube: in December 2016, an episode called “Masha Plus Porridge” received 1.9 billion views and took sixth place in the ranking of the most viewed videos of the portal in its entire history (this is the most popular non-musical video on YouTube). Russian animated series that are popular all over the world include “Smeshariki” (broadcast in more than 60 countries), as well as “Luntik” and “Fixiki”. The animated films of the Melnitsa studio (Three Heroes, Ivan Tsarevich and others) are also very successful, many of which have won numerous prizes at international festivals.

33. Sports in general. Russia is one of the greatest sports powers of our time. In terms of the total number of medals won at the Olympic Games since 1952, when the country began to regularly take part in them, Russia/USSR ranks second in the world (first in awards at the Winter Olympics). If we look at the results of recent Olympics, Russia took fourth place at the Summer Olympics in London 2012 and Rio de Janeiro 2016, and at the home Olympics in Sochi 2014, Russia took first place. Russia also leads in many individual sports and at the corresponding international championships.

34. Paralympic sports. Russia is one of the leaders in world Paralympic sports. The Russian team took first place at the 2014 Winter Paralympics, second place at the 2010 Winter Paralympics in Vancouver and second place at the 2012 Summer Paralympics in Beijing.

35. Holding international tournaments. Russia ranks first in the world in the number of high-status sports competitions that have been or will be held between 2009 and 2022 (first place in the ranking of leading sports powers in the Global Sports Nations Index, compiled by the marketing agency Sportcal in November 2015) In 2014, Russia hosted the Winter Olympics in Sochi, and in 2018, Russia will host the 2018 FIFA World Cup.

36. World politics. Russia is one of the main world powers of our time, playing a leading role in world politics in almost all macro-regions of the world: in Eurasia, Europe, the Arctic, Antarctic, the Middle East and even in the USA (according to the Americans, Russia influenced the result of the 2016 US presidential election of the year). Russia is one of the 5 permanent members of the UN Security Council and plays a key role in resolving the military conflict in Syria (the largest on the planet today). For four years in a row (2013, 2014, 2015 and 2016), the American magazine Forbes named Russian President Vladimir Putin the most influential person in the world.

37. Armed forces. The Russian Armed Forces are the second most powerful in the world after the United States, despite the fact that, according to Western estimates, Russia has only the fourth largest military budget in the world. Russia ranks fifth in the world in terms of the total number of armed forces personnel.

38. Military. The Russian Navy is the second most powerful in the world, ranking first in the world in the number of corvettes, second in the world in the number of cruisers and nuclear submarines, fourth in the world in the number of destroyers and conventional submarines (2015).

39. Typography. Russia ranks fourth in the world in terms of the number of book titles published per year (120,512 titles, 2013).

40. National language. As a result of a comprehensive assessment, the Russian language is in fourth place in the world in terms of influence. Russian is the second most popular Internet language, after English (2013). Russian is the fourth language in terms of the number of translations from it.

Almost everyone who is interested in the history of the development of science, technology and technology has at least once in their life thought about what path the development of humanity could take without knowledge of mathematics or, for example, if we did not have such a necessary object as a wheel, which has become almost the basis of human development. However, often only key discoveries are considered and given attention, while discoveries less known and widespread are sometimes simply not mentioned, which, however, does not make them insignificant, because each new knowledge gives humanity the opportunity to climb a step higher in its development.

The 20th century and its scientific discoveries turned into a real Rubicon, after crossing which progress accelerated its pace several times, identifying itself with a sports car that is impossible to keep up with. In order to stay on the crest of the scientific and technological wave now, considerable skills are needed. Of course, you can read scientific journals, various kinds of articles and works of scientists who are struggling to solve this or that problem, but even in this case it will not be possible to keep up with progress, and therefore it remains to catch up and observe.

As you know, in order to look into the future, you need to know the past. Therefore, today we will talk specifically about the 20th century, the century of discoveries, which changed the way of life and the world around us. It is worth noting right away that this will not be a list of the best discoveries of the century or any other top, it will be a brief overview of some of those discoveries that have changed, and perhaps are changing, the world.

In order to talk about discoveries, the concept itself should be characterized. Let's take the following definition as a basis:

Discovery is a new achievement made in the process of scientific knowledge of nature and society; establishment of previously unknown, objectively existing patterns, properties and phenomena of the material world.

Top 25 great scientific discoveries of the 20th century

1. Planck's quantum theory. He derived a formula that determines the shape of the spectral radiation curve and the universal constant. He discovered the smallest particles - quanta and photons, with the help of which Einstein explained the nature of light. In the 1920s, quantum theory developed into quantum mechanics.
2. Discovery of X-rays - electromagnetic radiation with a wide range of wavelengths. The discovery of X-rays by Wilhelm Roentgen greatly influenced human life and today it is impossible to imagine modern medicine without them.
3. Einstein's theory of relativity. In 1915, Einstein introduced the concept of relativity and derived an important formula connecting energy and mass. The theory of relativity explained the essence of gravity - it arises as a result of the curvature of four-dimensional space, and not as a result of the interaction of bodies in space.
4. Discovery of penicillin. The mold Penicillium notatum, when it gets into the culture of bacteria, causes their complete death - this was proven by Alexander Flemming. In the 40s, a production one was developed, which later began to be produced on an industrial scale.
5. De Broglie waves. In 1924, it was discovered that wave-particle duality is inherent in all particles, not just photons. Broglie presented their wave properties in mathematical form. The theory made it possible to develop the concept of quantum mechanics and explained the diffraction of electrons and neutrons.
6. Discovery of the structure of the new DNA helix. In 1953, a new model of the structure of the molecule was obtained by combining the X-ray diffraction data of Rosalyn Franklin and Maurice Wilkins and the theoretical developments of Chargaff. She was bred by Francis Crick and James Watson.
7. Rutherford's planetary model of the atom. He hypothesized the structure of the atom and extracted energy from atomic nuclei. The model explains the basic laws of charged particles.
8. Ziegler-Nath catalysts. In 1953, they carried out the polarization of ethylene and propylene.
9. Discovery of transistors. A device consisting of 2 p-n junctions, which are directed towards each other. Thanks to its invention by Julius Lilienfeld, the technology began to shrink in size. The first operational bipolar transistor was introduced in 1947 by John Bardeen, William Shockley and Walter Brattain.
10. Creation of radiotelegraph. Alexander Popov's invention using Morse code and radio signals first saved a ship at the turn of the 19th and 20th centuries. But Gulielmo Marcone was the first to patent a similar invention.
11. Discovery of neutrons. These uncharged particles with a mass slightly greater than that of protons allowed them to penetrate the nucleus without obstacles and destabilize it. It was later proven that under the influence of these particles, nuclei fission, but even more neutrons are produced. This is how the artificial one was discovered.
12. In vitro fertilization (IVF) technique. Edwards and Steptoe figured out how to extract an intact egg from a woman, created optimal conditions for its life and growth in a test tube, figured out how to fertilize it and at what time to return it back to the mother’s body.
13. The first manned flight into space. In 1961, it was Yuri Gagarin who was the first to realize this, which became the real embodiment of the dream of the stars. Humanity has learned that the space between planets is surmountable, and bacteria, animals, and even humans can safely exist in space.
14. Discovery of fullerene. In 1985, scientists discovered a new type of carbon - fullerene. Nowadays, due to its unique properties, it is used in many devices. Based on this technique, carbon nanotubes were created - twisted and cross-linked layers of graphite. They show a wide variety of properties: from metallic to semiconducting.
15. Cloning. In 1996, scientists managed to obtain the first clone of a sheep, named Dolly. The egg was gutted, the nucleus of an adult sheep was inserted into it and implanted into the uterus. Dolly was the first animal to survive; the rest of the embryos of various animals died.
16. Discovery of black holes. In 1915, Karl Schwarzschild hypothesized the existence of black holes, the gravity of which is so great that even objects moving at the speed of light cannot leave it.
17. Theory. This is a generally accepted cosmological model that describes the earlier development of the Universe, which was in a singular state, characterized by infinite temperature and density of matter. The model was started by Einstein in 1916.
18. Discovery of cosmic microwave background radiation. This is cosmic microwave background radiation, preserved from the beginning of the formation of the Universe and uniformly filling it. In 1965, its existence was experimentally confirmed, and it serves as one of the main confirmations of the Big Bang theory.
19. Approaching the creation of artificial intelligence. It is a technology for creating intelligent machines, first defined in 1956 by John McCarthy. According to him, researchers can use methods of understanding humans to solve specific problems that may not be biologically observed in humans.
20. Invention of holography. This special photographic method was proposed in 1947 by Dennis Gabor, in which three-dimensional images of objects close to real ones are recorded and restored using a laser.
21. Discovery of insulin. In 1922, Frederick Banting obtained pancreatic hormone, and diabetes mellitus ceased to be a fatal disease.
22. Blood groups. This discovery in 1900-1901 divided blood into 4 groups: O, A, B and AB. It became possible to give a correct blood transfusion to a person without ending tragically.
23. Mathematical information theory. Claude Shannon's theory made it possible to determine the capacity of a communication channel.
24. Invention of Nylon. Chemist Wallace Carothers discovered a method for producing this polymer material in 1935. He discovered some of its varieties with high viscosity even at high temperatures.
25. Discovery of stem cells. They are the progenitors of all existing cells in the human body and have the ability to self-renew. Their capabilities are great and are just beginning to be explored by science.

There is no doubt that all these discoveries are only a small part of what the 20th century showed to society and it cannot be said that only these discoveries were significant, and all the others became just background, this is not at all the case.

It was the last century that showed us new boundaries of the Universe, saw the light of day, quasars (super-powerful sources of radiation in our Galaxy) were discovered, and the first carbon nanotubes, which have unique superconductivity and strength, were discovered and created.

All these discoveries, one way or another, are just the tip of the iceberg, which includes more than a hundred significant discoveries over the past century. Naturally, all of them became a catalyst for changes in the world in which we now live, and the fact remains undoubted that the changes do not end there.

The 20th century can be safely called, if not the “golden”, then certainly the “silver” age of discoveries, however, looking back and comparing new achievements with the past, it seems that in the future we will have quite a few more interesting great discoveries, in fact, the successor of the last century, the current 21st century only confirms these views.

A processor for artificial intelligence, a 3D printer for human organs, landing a probe on a comet and other important scientific events and technological innovations of the past year.

Often, real scientific achievements turn out to be more amazing than the wildest predictions of science fiction writers. iBusiness presents an overview of the most impressive scientific achievements of 2014 and new technologies that can change the world as we know it.

IBM Neurosynaptic Processor

It differs from traditional processors built on the von Neumann architecture in that one chip core contains both computing and communication modules, as well as its own memory. As a result, all processor cores can work in parallel, processing very large amounts of data per unit of time, and the power of the entire computing system can be very easily increased by simply connecting several chips.

IBM TrueNorth chip emulates one million neurons and 256 million programmable synapses

The postage stamp-sized TrueNorth chip is built on a 28nm process, contains 4,096 cores, 5.4 billion transistors and requires just 70 milliwatts to operate, which is significantly less than the power consumption of today's traditional processors. At the same time, it simulates the work of one million neurons, 256 million programmable synapses and is capable of performing up to 46 billion operations per second per watt.

The advent of TrueNorth promises a real revolution in the field of cloud computing - systems on neurosynaptic chips can significantly speed up complex processes such as pattern recognition, machine translation and big data analysis. Computers with similar processors can become the center of smart cars, security systems and many other types of equipment. IBM plans to adapt the chip to mobile devices, which will increase the performance of smartphones and tablets, as well as significantly extend their battery life. In the future, neurosynaptic technology will even make it possible to create a computer comparable in computing power to the human brain.

Miniature radio controller

Last year, a team of engineers from Stanford University introduced the missing third component - mini-controllers capable of receiving and relaying commands transmitted via radio signals.

The dimensions of the radio controller are about 2 mm

The uniqueness of these modules, in addition to their miniature size, is that they do not require their own power source - all the energy necessary for their operation is extracted directly from the electromagnetic waves that carry the radio signal itself. In addition, the modules have a very low cost, which makes it possible to equip with them literally every thing in the environment of a modern person. The appearance of controllers with such characteristics will significantly speed up the release of new connected equipment and the spread of the “Internet of Things” in general.

Micro 3D printing

3D printers developed at Harvard University are capable of printing living cells

Using similar installations, the laboratory has already printed such things as lithium-ion batteries, bionic ear prostheses that combine living tissue and electronic components, retinal tissue, and even tissue samples with a system of blood vessels.

In the future, such devices can be used for high-precision printing of electronic components according to an individual design, and in medicine - for the production of artificial organs for drug testing or even transplantation into patients.

Connecting robotic prostheses to the human nervous system

Robotic prosthetics connect directly to the human nervous system and have learning capabilities

Interestingly, the system connected to the nerves has “learning” properties. As you use the prostheses, it becomes easier to perform various actions with their help, since the control adapts to incoming nerve impulses.

Although implanting robotic limbs requires extensive training and surgery, the successful completion of the experiment showed that it is possible to combine electronic components with the human nervous system. Such prostheses may find application in medicine in the near future.

Landing of the Philae probe on comet Churyumov-Gerasimenko

The landing of the Philae probe on a comet was the result of 10 years of flight

The landing of the probe on the comet did not go entirely smoothly: the device most likely ended up lying “on its side” and in the shadow of a rock, which did not allow the module’s solar batteries to provide it with the energy necessary for long-term operation. Despite this, as a result of the mission, scientists were able to obtain a lot of data, much of which has yet to be processed. It was possible to analyze the internal structure of the comet and find water and organic substances on it.

At the moment, the Philae probe is in sleep mode due to insufficient energy generated by solar panels. Scientists hope that the comet's approach to the Sun will improve the situation and the device can be activated this spring to collect additional data.

– Evgenia Yakovleva

New technologies and discoveries enter our lives so quickly that at some point we cease to understand whether this is science fiction or reality.

Characteristic sign of a cancer gene

Not every tumor is equally lethal. For example, prostate cancer has a much higher cure rate than a tumor in the esophagus. The good news, however, is that by studying a tumor's mutated genome, doctors can accurately determine whether the cancer will be sensitive to a particular type of chemotherapy or unresponsive to known treatments. In other words, knowing the subtype of a cancer gene allows you to move directly to exactly the clinical therapy that will save the patient’s life.

Flying cars

It may still sound like a scene from a sci-fi movie to some, but flying cars already exist. The brainchild of the American company Terrafujia consumes approximately seven liters of gasoline per 100 kilometers like a car and 19 liters per hour like an airplane. The car moves through the air at a speed of 185 km/h and can fly about 800 km without landing. You can already buy one today: an initial payment of 10 thousand dollars.

First planet with FOUR suns discovered

An international team of astronomers has announced the discovery of a planet whose skies are illuminated by four suns - the first known planet of its kind. It is located five thousand light years from Earth, and was named PH1 in honor of Planet Hunters, a program at Yale University that involves volunteers searching for new planets.

NASA begins using robotic exoskeletons

The X1 exoskeleton weighs approximately 25 kg, contains four motorized joints and six passive ones. Depending on the settings, it can interfere with movement, which is useful for astronauts for physical exercise in zero gravity, or help, allowing people with paralyzed legs to walk.

Artificial leaves generate electricity

Using relatively inexpensive materials, Daniel G. Nocera created the world's first true artificial leaf. The closed sections simulate photosynthesis, but the result is hydrogen rather than oxygen. Hydrogen can be collected into fuel cells and used to create electricity, even in the most remote places on Earth.

Greece uses autopilot buses

The introduction of automated transport in Europe began in the Greek city of Trikala, where four small driverless buses are already making trial runs on the streets. These buses are launched as part of the EU-backed CityMobil2 project, which aims to launch automated road transport systems with self-driving buses in Europe. Each bus can carry 10 to 12 passengers at speeds of up to 20 kilometers per hour. This speed may seem slow, but remember that these buses are electric, silent and non-polluting.

3D printer creates full-size houses in one session

A giant printer called D-shape, created by Enrico Dini, is capable of printing a two-story building complete with rooms, stairs, pipes and walls. Using only sand and mineral binders, the printer creates a material that is as strong as reinforced concrete and looks like marble. The creation process takes about a quarter of the time compared to a traditional building. The printed house has a rounded architecture, and can be built without the use of special knowledge and skills.

First DNA photo taken

Using an electron microscope, Enzo di Fabrizio and his team from the Italian Institute of Technology in Genoa were able to photograph the famous Watson-Crick double helix in all its glory, placing strands of DNA on a silicon substrate with pillars protruding from it. This technique will allow scientists to see how proteins, ribonucleic acids and other biomolecules interact with DNA

Genetically modified silk is stronger than steel

At the University of Wyoming, scientists have modified a group of silkworms to produce silk that is stronger than steel. Super-strong silk can be used in a variety of applications, such as strong surgical threads for medical professionals, a biodegradable alternative to plastic for businesses, or lightweight armor for the military.

DARPA robot can avoid obstacles

DARPAtv of the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency published a viral video on robots in 2012. The robot, which they called Pet-Proto, walked along a specially equipped route with obstacles, making decisions autonomously. Many people who watched this video expressed the opinion that when this robot can do the same thing without the help of wires, humanity is doomed

Laser weapons are already a reality

You've seen those sparkling lasers in the Star Wars and Terminator films and probably thought they only existed in the world of science fiction. So, you were wrong! The US Army has a laser weapon called the Avenger. It is twenty times hotter than a kitchen burner and can cut through an artillery shell. It is now used to destroy improvised explosive devices, which cause more damage to the US military than any other weapon.

Eye prostheses restore sight to the blind

Two blind people in the UK recently received eye implants in an eight-hour operation. After years of blindness, both regained "useful" vision within a few weeks, now seeing the outlines of objects and dreaming in color. Doctors expect further improvement as the brain readjusts to vision.

Paraplegic man successfully uses thought-controlled robotic arm

In 2012, a paraplegic woman learned to control a mechanical arm with her mind so well that she could eat chocolates. But the University of Pittsburgh team didn't stop there. By improving the technology of the hand and collaborating with patient Jan Scheuermann, researchers have since allowed her to master four new movements in addition to simple grip - spread fingers, pinch, handful and abduction of the thumb, which expands the possibilities of manipulation.

You can swallow a pill-sized camera instead of inserting an endoscope

A colonoscopy can be a very unpleasant procedure. When the results are unclear, the test must be repeated, which causes stress for the patient. The US Food and Drug Administration has approved the device, which can be used in the event of a repeat study and which exposes the body to minimal exposure. This is a miniature camera called PillCam Colon. It must be swallowed so that it passes through the gastrointestinal tract.

3D inFORM display allows remote manipulation of physical objects

The inFORM pin display, invented by MIT's Tangible Media Group, allows users to interact with data with minimal physical barriers. It also allows users to virtually step through a screen and manipulate physical objects that may be a thousand miles away. The current version of inFORM has very limited spatial resolution, but seeing it in action gives a strong impression of the potential of such devices.

Engineers have created thin artificial skin that responds to touch

A new invention from UC Berkeley engineers could help robots become more sensitive to touch. A research team led by Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science professor Ali Jawei has created the first interactive sensor network using flexible plastic. The new electronic skin, or e-skin, instantly lights up in response to touch. The more intense the pressure, the brighter the backlight. We can only wonder if James Cameron knew something we didn't know when he made the first Terminator movie in the '80s.

Scientists have created an artificial uterus, like in the movie "The Matrix"

This may sound like a scary movie script (yes, I'm talking about The Matrix), but an artificial womb already exists in reality. In Tokyo, researchers have developed a technique called EUFI - ectopic gestation. They took goat fetuses, inserted catheters into wide arteries in the umbilical cord, and supplied the fetuses with oxygenated blood while they were in an incubator filled with artificial amniotic fluid warmed to body temperature. Thanks to these researchers, we're one step closer to becoming batteries for our mechanical masters.

The human brain is hacked

At the annual USENIX technical conference, researchers demonstrated a vulnerability in the human brain. Using an openly sold EEG headset and a computer program that interacts with it, they showed that it is possible to hack your brain, forcing you to reveal information that you would rather keep secret. The fact is that characteristic peaks appear on the encephalogram if the subject recognizes familiar images, for example, a pin code for a bank card or the face of a child.

Invisibility cloak technology has taken a huge step forward

British Columbia company HyperStealth Biotechnology showed a functioning prototype of its new fabric to the Canadian and US military this year. The material, called "quantum stealth", deflects light waves from the carrier without the use of batteries, mirrors or cameras. It can block the subject not only from view, but also from infrared scanners.

Seeing through walls like Superman is now real

At MIT, engineers are working on a device that will allow the user to collect data about what is moving on the other side of the wall. The prototype, called Wi-Vi, broadcasts motion in the same manner as an echolocator.

The world's first leg, completely controlled by the power of thought, goes for a walk

Connected to its owner via two nerves and computer sensors, this bionic leg works just like a normal human leg. The error rate is estimated to be around 1.8%, which is as close to perfect thought control as modern science can get. Created at the Chicago Center for Bionic Medicine, this leg is the latest advance in prosthetics.