The other day I was wandering the world wide web and encountered an article by the telegraph titled “ the most important inventions of the 21st century“. My pulse sharpened and my stomach tingled, with great curiosity and excitement I ventured on to be mesmerized by human creativity.
This inspired me to bring to you a cured list of jaw-dropping inventions of this 21st century. Buckle up, because this ride is going to redefine your conception of what is possible.
1. Braingate – CONTROL robots with your thoughts!
You probably can but don’t want to imagine what it’s like to be born without control over your limbs. Today millions are “limbless” and relegated to a life sentence of dependency. THOUGH it could all be coming to an end!
BrainGate is one of the greatest inventions of this century because it adventures to perforate the possibility frontier of millions of “limbless” individuals.
How? BrainGate created a brain implant – currently under clinical trial – that tracks brain activity in a patients brain and converts it to computer commands. Yes you heard right. BrainGate allows tetraplegic people to control a robotic arm through the mere power of thought!
For an in-depth analysis of the how it works check the video by neuroscientist Professors Donoghue and Hochberg. The beauty of it makes me shiver!
2. Abiocor System – don’t worry if someone “breaks your heart”!
Next time somebody tells you ” You just broke my heart” tell them there is no need to worry because Abiocor has them covered. Abiocor is one of the greatest inventions of the 21st century because it has just increased the life span of patients with an irreparable damaged heart or heart failure. How? They’ve invented a fully functional heart that mimics the function of the native heart. For a how it works experience check the video!
3. Exacto – a bullet where you want!
For centuries collateral damage in war has been an issue – millions have died as a result of weapon imprecision. As a solution last century human creativity conceived guided missiles. Thanks to guided missiles and their assertive NO to imprecision, collateral damage took a huge drop. Today missiles have a close to 100% accuracy but collateral damage remains an issue on ground warfare. In order to overcome this, DARPA (Defense Advanced Research Project Agency) an agency of the United States Department of Defense conceived EXACTO (EXtreme ACcuracy Tasked Ordnance).
What is EXACTO? EXACTO is a self-guided bullet that can be changed direction mid-flight to seek target. How it works? With a range of over 1.2 miles, the self-guiding bullet works by using optical sensors that are found on the surface of its nose. This sensors transmit surrounding information to an internal electronic system that then uses a number of adjusted fins to change direction. Above a footage released by the American Department of Defense demonstrating the gem in action. Do you consider this to be one of the greatest inventions of the 21st century?
4. Mars’ Opportunity and Curiosity rovers – was there life in mars?
How long would it take you to cover 225km? and 225,000,000 km through space? This is what NASA has had to achieve to put Mars’ Opportunity and Curiosity rovers on the surface of Mars. Fortunately, this is not all. Consider that the whole process – launching, travelling, landing, and exploration – are done without direct human control. Pause for it, YES this is a marvel of contemporary engineering!
Just in case you are wondering why bother to go that extra million miles, this are the objectives of the Mars Exploration:
- investigation of the Martian climate and geology
- assessment of whether the Gale Crater has ever offered environmental conditions favourable for microbial life and
- planetary habitability studies in preparation for future human exploration
5. Cell Transplantation – bye to paralysis!
Darek Fidyka was stabbed with a knife in 2010 and since then has been paralysed from chest down. Thanks to several breakthroughs in cell transplantation he is now able to walk. Yes we might be entering the stage where we can reverse paralysis. How was this possible you may be asking. Professor Geoff Raisman form UCL used Olfactory Ensheathing Cells (OEC) – only nerve cells that are able to regenerate – from the patient and implanted them to the spinal cord of Darek Fidyka. The OEC’s then provided a pathway to enable fibres above and below the injury to reconnect, using the nerve grafts to bridge the gap in the cord. What are the results? Shortly after the operation David started putting on muscle. Six months later David started his first tentative steps at walking in parallel bars. Two years later David is able to walk outside the rehabilitation centre using a frame, recovered some bowel and bladder sensation and sexual function. This could be the beginning of something HUGE!
6. 3D Printing – make anything YOU WANT!
3D printing was invented in 1984 by Chuck Hull of 3D Systems Corporation. Despite being conceived last century we are including 3D printing as part of the greatest inventions of the 21st because of the breakthroughs that have occurred this century. Firstly, 3D printing has become available to the masses. There are 3D printers available for 3 digit prices. Secondly, 3D printing now works with thousands of material – something it couldn’t do when invented – and at a faster pace than ever. Today we can enjoy 3D printed buildings, cars – the One by Koenigsegg-, firearms, medical prothesis, cloths, organs and body parts, amongst others. Get ready because you might become a designer quicker than you think. Check the video above by Avi Reichental the owner of 3D Systems Corporation on the future of 3D printing.
7. Driverless Car – buckle down and enjoy the ride!
90% of fatal Car Accidents are due to human error. 1.24 million people die each year as a result of traffic accidents making it the leading cause of death in people between 15-29.
WHO – World Health Organisation
Whilst autonomous cars emerged in the 80’s – Carnegie Mellon University’s Navlab – it hasn’t been until 2013 that Vislab demonstrated BRAiVE, a vehicle that moved autonomously on a mixed traffic route open to public traffic.
What are the advantages of having driverless cars you might be thinking? For starters there could potentially be fewer traffic collisions and higher speed limits since computer and car to car communication could optimise driving. Another advantage is that driverless cars could alleviate parking scarcity. Why? A driverless car could leave you at your desired spot and drive itself to parking outside the city. When you are done just tell him where you are and it will pick you up! Not a bad future right? So how do driverless cars work? Check the video above for a sensory explanation of the technology behind.
So this are some of the greatest inventions of the 21st century for us. Do you think there is something missing? What would you add?
Feature Photo Credit: U.S. Army RDECOM
