Researchers Grow Brain Cells.

According to an article I read through the Fox News web site, researchers have reported success in growing brain cells.  That's right, brain cells.  The cells in are called astrocytes and can play an important role in diseases like dementia and others effecting the central nervous system (astrocytes are found in the brain and spinal cord).

Naturally I'm sharing this for what it could mean to writers of science fiction.  Technology to regrow brain cells could eventually lead to curing many brain-related illnesses, correcting brain damage suffered from accidents...

On another note, this article shows how quickly things we see as possible only in science fiction can quickly make the sci-fi technology obsolete.  Fans of Star Trek:  The Original Series will no doubt remember the episode "Spock's Brain" where Spock's brain is stolen and used to run an underground complex.  McCoy, with the help of an alien teaching device eventually puts Spock's brain back.  But with this technology, perhaps it would be possible in 200-300 years to regrow the brain.  Perhaps they could just download the consciousness. 

Another Star Trek reference is the Next Generation episode when Worf's spine is broken and an experimental treatment is used to regrow his spine.  In about 300 years, that could be more common than shown.

Okay, Worf and Spock aren't human, but that's not relevant.  In both shows, it was indicated that the situation would have been as dire for humans (or worse).  Who knows.  By the time those dates really come around, such repairs could be as routine as an appendectomy is now. 

Plant Technology

Here's an interesting article from Fox News on research that will turn ordinary plants into security devices.  The plants turn white when certain elements enter their environment. 

Now think about this for writers.  Take this to the next level.  If technology exists to make plants change in the presence of certain chemicals, what about people?  Setup a biological defense against specific aliens.  Or even more specific.  Say a law enforcement agency has a simple DNA sample.  What about plants that could detect that person's DNA?

Think of how this could be used.  Rather than a large team of tech experts with sophisticated and complicated equipment, maintenance of the system could be done with a biologist.  A story could highlight how this approach could be used at facilities with fewer financial resources.  Create plants that, once "fed" a sample of DNA or certain chemicals, it reacts in their presence.

So keep researching and

Write On.

Blind Driver

That's right, I just heard about a blind man demonstrating a new technology that would allow blind people to drive.  I heard about it and read the story on Atlanta Radio Station Star 94.

The car, obviously is loaded with high tech equipment like laser range finders, cameras, and more that will apparently map out the environment.  The technology "communicates information non-visually to a blind person allowing them to safely drive an automobile."  The driver wears special gloves (you can see wires/cables on the gloves) that help with steering/let the driver know how far to turn.

The system would probably need safeguards that would automatically slow or stop the vehicle in certain instances like if someone stopped abrupty or something/someone moves suddenly in front of the vehicle.  Then again, I wouldn't be surprised if that is added to cars for sighted people. 

For a direct link to the Youtube video, check this out.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=UdCJDEkTXcI

Now think about this technology for science fiction writers.  Sure, in space opera or futuristic science fiction, you can discuss technologies that let the blind function like sighted people.  One of the best known is Geordi LaForge's VISOR from Star Trek:  The Next Generation.  But what about something more like science fiction in the modern world - urban science fiction?  I could see this type of technology brought up for a blind character, or even a blind protagonist.

So keep researching and

Write On.

Innovations for Space Flight

I just saw a slideshow on FoxNews' Tech link focusing on 10 new innovations for future space flight.  Some are pretty much what you'd expect.  There's a slide for a new Mars rover, discussion of what kind of transport vehicle will replace the space shuttle, exercise equipment for astronauts and other things that I've been hearing about for a couple of years now.  But then there are a few that I haven't heard about as much.

Examples:  Nantennaes.  Billions of tiny antennae on the wings of unmanned aerial vehicles that would help provide electricity and power for an engine.  While this sounds like a high-tech version of solar panels, the technology is much more advanced and worthy of note to science fiction writers.

A robot motor that could operate in extreme heat, like on Venus.  Again, while not necessarily something people haven't heard of before in sci-fi, it's still interesting to know that there is currently such a device that could operate in temps allegedly up to 932 degrees.  According to the article, the nearest competitors can only withstand half that temperature.  This is a good example of how sometimes tech takes a massive leap forward before returning to incremental advances.

Whoever came up with this one must have been a 7 of 9 fan.  Skin tight space suits.  Apparently this type of attire helps to reduce the bone loss for astronauts in space for extended periods by simulating the effects of gravity.  When you think of the fact that astronauts going to the ISS often spend months there and considering a recent post I made regarding an article on a manned trip to Mars.  A one-way trip would take months - almost a year IIRC, this is an important development.

Is the Military Going to Have Invisible Vehicles?

Star Trek fans might be hoping we have a cloaking device ready for the Klingons and Romulans.  According to an article on Fox News' tech page, the answer is yes.  Invisible tanks, planes, and armor could be in use within 5 years.  Rather than the whole "bending light" theory, this tech would use cameras and a high tech display to project the surrounding environment onto the hull of the vehicle rendering it effectively invisible - similar to a chameleon blending into the surrounding. 

One thing I found cool is that I use a tech like this in my draft sci-fi novel, but not for military applications.  The tech is used on the roof of an flying limousine and effectively makes the roof disappear so the occupants can stare at the stars.  I one-up it by adding some touch-screen tech (like an iPad).  Touch a star visible and get the info on it.

With this new tech coming out, I may have to tone down the surprise or make a comment that the characters hadn't heard of the tech used on anything besides military vehicles.  Something to incorporate the science facts of this tech.  Regardless, it's cool to see this tech really coming about.  It's one of the great things about sci-fi. Things we dream can become reality.

Keep researching for your stories to include credible tech and

Write On.

Should I retire on Mars?

If I'm lucky, I'll be able to retire some time in the 2030s.  A lot can happen in the next 20 years.  From what I've read in an article on FoxNews, perhaps even a manned one-way trip to Mars.  To summarize, the article references a recent article from the Journal of Cosmology that gave great details how a privately funded manned mission to Mars could take place as early as 20 years from now.  More than 400 people have already volunteered as colonists.

Interesting how it specifies "privately funded."  Can't trust the government?  Well, let's face facts.  It seems like the private sector is doing more to advance the possibilities of space travel.  In my draft novel, LEGACY SOLDIER, this fits in with the backstory.  One of the societies came from humanities first attempt at colonizing outside of our solar system using privately funded and developed a prototype faster-than-light propulsion.  Needless to say, they have many volunteers - mostly scientists (high tech types, biologists, physicists - enough different PhDs that it could really mean Piled higher and Deeper).

Anyway, when the colonists first get to Mars, it's likely that the ship itself will be designed to serve as a colony/outpost.  But that couldn't last forever.  Bio-domes and other habitats will probably follow.  Russian architect Alexander Remizov designed a "green ark" that resembles a giant slinky and has the capacity to house 10,000 people.  While the design is most likely intended for Earth-bound use (as implied by the floating version), such a structure would be a likely necessity on a colony.  That is until Arnold Schwartzenegger shows up and finds the alien machine to give Mars an atmosphere (remember Total Recall?)

Now, we also have to think about transportation.  Considering the limited resources, I doubt that big SUVs will be taken along.  Walking might work at first, but some type of motorized transportation would eventually become needed.  Well, GM has debuted some small pod-like cars that seat two, run on two wheels, are completely electronic and can drive themselves.  The Electric Networked Vehicle, or EN-V (pronounced envy) that they anticipate could be ready for the market in 2030.  These small vehicles would be the perfect type of conveyance in a self-contained society.  The EN-V's controller/steering "wheel" is actually rectangular.  At a glance it looks like a small iPad or big iPhone.  Due to the size and having no real dashboard, it would make sense to have guages and other vehicle information available on the controller.

So there you have it.  Real tech mixed with some credible concepts that could lead to the first attempts at off-world colonization within out lifetime.  Until then, this makes for good background information and technological support for credible writing.

Look to the stars and
Write On.

New Weapon Tech and Teleportation Theories

Despite my recent rant on Transformers 2, one cool scene was the use of the rail gun on Devastator.  Well, it appears that it's not just sci-fi or a rumor.  On December 10, a Navy test produced a 33 megajoule finding.  To quote the article, "A single megajoule is roughly equivalent to a 1-ton car traveling at 100 mph."  Remember, the rail gun does not use an explosive projectile.  The destruction uses nothing but kinetic energy.  The weapon is expected to be able to hit a target 100 miles away (compared to the current range of about 13 miles by current Navy guns.

So, if you're writing an urban science fiction story with a rail gun.  I'm sorry, but it's no longer science fiction.


Next.  For all the Star Trek, fans here's an article that has found new plausibility in teleportation/transporter theories.  But rather than breaking down a subject's molecular structure, transforming it to energy and transmitting/beaming it to a location where it's reassembled, the theory follows new quantum physics theories on parallel universes.  Not only do these theories bring new light on teleportation, but time travel.  To be honest, it's all a bit too complex for me to really translate but I plan on keeping my eyes open for more articles like this.

Now think of the application in science fiction technology.  Not only do you have a credible basis for teleportation technology, but you could bring parallel universes into it. 

So, do your research and

Write On

New High Speed Rail Record and Technological Advancements

Today a Chinese train set a new world record for the fastest unmodified passenger train with a speed of 302 miles per hour.  The train ran on a high-speed line between Beijing and Shanghai.  Although the train will not begin regular operations until next year, it is already being hailed as revolutionary as it will cut the 10 hour trip between the cities down to 4 hours.

Radical changes like these make science fiction writers practically salivate.  Typically, we see technology change our lives a bit more incrementally.  Of course, in the US we don't seem to see this technology at all, but that's besides the point.

Another point I'd like to make is how fickle techology is in its advancement.  Some scientists and science fans (including science fiction fans) will look at this new record and hypothesize on what it means for the future.  Remember when the iPads came out?  Some quickly compared it with data devices used in shows like Star Trek (Next Generation, DS9 and Voyager to be more specific).  But can these leaps also lead to unrealistic explanations?

If you've watched one of the few entertaining science fiction shows left on SyFy - Eureka, you saw the addition of James Callis to the cast last year.  His character was accidentally brought to 2010 from the late 1940s.  I remember one interesting quote his character had about the 21st century - "I thought there would be more flying cars by now."  Speaking of flying cars, we're only 5 years away from the flying cars shown in Back To The Future II.  Granted, that was a comedy, but a few decades ago, people probably did expect flying cars not only to be a reality, but a regular form of transportation.

Another example of science fiction technological timelines missed can be found right in the title of one example - Space 1999.  11 years after the moon was blown out of orbit, we still are really not significantly closer to Moon Base Alpha.

Will we get there some day?  Perhaps, but keep in mind when reading and writing science fiction that, as I just said, technological advances can be fickle and unpredictable.  But sometimes that's what makes them really cool.  Let's face it, if we had regular and scheduled technological revolutions, I'd probably have nothing to blog about!

Have a good weekend and

Write On.

Antimatter Captured.

This was a cool article.  Scientists have created and captured antimatter.  It's not necessarily the creation, but the capture and manipulation that's so revolutionary.  According to the article, the first antimatter was actually created in 1955 by University of California, Berkeley physicists Emilio Segre and Owen Chamberlain.  They created antiprotons in an atom smasher.

In this study, physicists at the European Organization for Nuclear Research (CERN) in Geneva not only created antiprotons, but used them to form antihydrogen for about 1/6th of a second.

This type of research brings up questions about how antimatter could be used.  In Star Trek, starships used antimatter as an energy source, primarily for the warp drive and for weapons (photon torpedoes).  Although with current technology scientists probably couldn't create enough antimatter to launch anything much bigger than a bottle rocket (if that big), as research progresses they might find more efficient/effective ways to create antimatter.

In the meantime, it gives more scientific credibility to the use of anitmatter in science fiction writing and fuel dreams that we might see some type of practical application in our lifetime.

Until that happens,

Write On.

Iron Man Mark 1/2 Armor

That's right, defense contractor Raytheon Sarcos in Salt Lake City has demonstrated, what could best be described as a prototype exo-skeleton.  In the video, the "pilot" performs a few feats of strength.  Punching through 3 inches of pine and doing pushups with heavy weight on the pilot's back (not including the weight of the skeleton.

http://www.cnn.com/2010/TECH/innovation/11/11/iron.man.suit/index.html

A hightlight in the article, which probably explains the suit's more practical use, is that it gives its pilot 17 times more strength and could be used to lift heavy supplies.  I'd say that puts it more in line with Ripley's power loader from Aliens

Now, here's the real surprise.  The estimated cost will be only $150K.  I think Tony Stark paid a bit more for his.

Flying Car

My first thought when I noticed this article about a missionary building a flying car was, I know people conduct missionary work to get closer to God, but not like this.

Apparently this it the real thing.  As a car, it looks a bit more like an off-road vehicle with a 200+ horsepower engine.  I'm no expert, but it looks like it has a parasail on it.  Once deployed this vehicle can cruise as 40mph in the air.

Check the video

http://www.cnn.com/video/#/video/living/2010/10/27/am.bolduan.flying.car.cnn?iref=allsearch