Category: The Future

EM Drive Production – Boosting our Journeys Beyond the Atmosphere

An Electromagnetic (EM) Drive, is also known as a Radio Frequency Resonant Cavity Thruster. It creates a force by bouncing microwaves back and forth in a truncated cone. The energy is thrust towards the narrow end of the cone which prompts the device to begin moving. As the cone moves, the momentum increases and it advances without the need for a propellant. This works against Newton’s Third Law of Motion, which states that ‘for every action there is an equal and opposite reaction.’ Based on this theory the concept of creating an EM Drive should be impossible, yet many scientists believe that one can be made. China has even claimed to have gone against the current Laws of Physics, and created a functioning prototype.

EM Drives are often mistaken for warp drives which, in theory, would move faster than the speed of light. Without either technology confirmed, a mission to Mars would need to be fueled by rocket propulsions methods currently available. NASA, and other companies that focus on space exploration, are trying to build bigger spaceships and expand on rocket launching technology to significantly shorten the time it would take to travel between Earth and Mars. A functioning EM Drive would add to these advantages, by propelling a rocket to Mars in just 10 days. In addition, satellites could be reduced to half their current size, and space exploration could be expanded as a result of the propulsion that would be created along the way.

NASA has previously published peer reviewed test results, which show that creating an EM Drive is theoretically possible. Even though they have confirmed this possibility, NASA has been unable to produce one. The Chinese, on the other hand, have recently released a video which is aimed at corroborating their claim to have a functioning EM Drive. The footage reportedly shows the drive in action, even though the details of the EM Drive are not discussed in the video. There has also been speculation that the country is preparing to launch a vessel fueled by this EM Drive into outer space in the near future.

The existence of the technology is yet to be confirmed, and this isn’t China’s first claim to have a working EM Drive. In December 2016, researchers stated that the government has been funding research into the topic since 2010. There was also the claim that the EM Drive had been tested in low earth orbit, with the goal of validating the technology and incorporating it into the field of satellite engineering as quickly as possible. These tests were supposed to have been taking place aboard Tiangong-2, in November 2016.

Mission V – Completing the First Stages of a Mission to Mars

On January 19, 2017 six participants, which had been selected for a special NASA mission, entered a ‘dome’ located on Big Island in Hawaii. The project was hosted by The University of Hawaii, on behalf of NASA, and its aim is to determine the psychological effects of long term isolation. The living conditions were designed to reflect those that would be necessary for future missions to Mars. The ‘space’ accommodation, which housed the four men and two women, was approximately the size of a two bedroom apartment. During their stay they were allowed no physical contact with the outside world and their communication with NASA was delayed by 20 minutes, which is the same amount of time it would take during a mission to Mars.

Sian Proctor/University of Hawaii via AP

In excess of 700 applicants were put through a detailed screening process, requiring background and personality checks and several full length interviews. The team which was selected included: engineers, a biomedical expert, a computer scientist and a doctoral candidate. Crew members for expeditions to Mars will need to be in the best of health, both physically and mentally, sufficiently qualified and with an ability to solve problems as they arise. NASA plans to send a crew to an asteroid in the 2020s and Mars by the 2030s, which will take a minimum of 2-3 years to complete. The dome experiment has proved successful in showing NASA ways in which the crew will need to be supported during their journeys.

The dome where the crew stayed is operated by the University of Hawaii, and called Hawaii Space Exploration Analog and Simulation (HI-SEAS). Two previous NASA missions have taken place here, lasting a year and eight months respectively, to determine food requirements and how to build a healthy rapport with crew members. There are sleeping quarters for each crew member, kitchen, bathroom and a laboratory in the dome, and meals consist mainly of freeze dried and tin foods and snacks. The landscape on Big Island is similar to the one on Mars, with its rugged terrain. To maintain the crew’s sense of isolation, food packages were dropped off a short distance from the dome and robots sent to retrieve them.

Sian Proctor/University of Hawaii via AP

Although not confined to the dome, the team were required to wear spacesuits when going out. The outings were mainly for mapping the landscape, geological exploration or other tasks related to what the experience would be like on Mars. Each participant was also equipped with a monitor, worn around the neck, which measured their mood as well as their proximity to other crew members. Virtual reality devices were also provided to simulate comforting experiences and surroundings. As the end of the mission was approaching, even though they had enjoyed the experience, the crew members were all eager to get back to their everyday lives.

Gene Editing – Influential DNA Changes

Clustered Regularly Interspaced Short Palindromic Repeat (CRISPR) is a revolutionary gene editing technology that enables efficient, accurate genome modifications, in a large number of organisms and tissues. The procedure was first identified in a prokaryotic defense system, and consists of sections of genetic code that contain short repetitions of base sequences, followed by spacer DNA segments. Jennifer Doudna compares the simple corrective procedure to a word-processing software that allows someone to correct a typo in a hefty document. The ease and low cost with which the technology can be used, render the possibilities of its application endless.

The process works to edit genes by capturing a short nucleic acid sequence from an invading pathogen, which is then integrated into the CRISPR loci amongst the repeats. This causes small RNA to be reduced by the loci, which can then be used to guide a set of end nucleuses to resist the attacks of invading pathogens in the future. There is ongoing research into using the technology to treat diseases such as cancer, sickle cell anemia and some forms of blindness. The possibility has also be raised that CRISPR can be used as a cure for Duchenne muscular dystrophy, and The Salk Institute is researching ways in which they can modify it to produce a pig with transplantable human organs.

They are not the only ones that believe that the technology will work well on animals, as Chinese scientists have already used it to delete genes that inhibit muscle and hair growth in goats. This has allowed for the expansion of the country’s meat and wool industries. There is also a team researching ways in which CRISPR can boost agricultural output, by creating super plants. These plants will be modified to resist fungi, and other things that may restrict their growth.

Cas9 is one of several restriction nucleuses that enables the editing of genes using CRISPR. It works as a molecular scissors, and uses a synthetic guide RNA to introduce a double strand break at a specific location on a DNA strand. This gRNA directs the cut through hybridization with its matching genomic sequence. During each procedure, a DNA construct with three major components: the Cas9 enzyme, gRNA and the replacement DNA template; is injected into an organism to modify its genes.

After the procedure has been applied and the cell attempts to repair the break, there is the possibility of added genetic modifications or an error occurring. Modified Cas9 versions prevent this from happening as they introduce single-strand nicks to the DNA, which pair up to stimulate the repair mechanism. Scientists agree that the CRISPR method is easy to use, but comes with huge moral responsibilities as it has the power to change the way in which humans, and other organisms, evolve. As the technology is applied in more experiments, possible immoral actions will need to be avoided.

Electric Cars that Fly – Eliminating Ground Traffic in the Future

Futuristic movies often have flying cars as a means of transport around busy cities. German company, Lilium Aviation, has been working to take this mode of transportation out of the movies and make it a reality. With more than 40 international designers, engineers and enthusiasts working around the clock, they have created the Lilium Jet which the company refers to as ‘the world’s first entirely electric, vertical take-off and landing jet.’ If Lilium Aviation’s goals are achieved, this is just the beginning of an era in which people can book a flying car, instead of calling an Uber.

The jet’s first successful remotely piloted test flight has recently taken place, and the company expects to conduct a manned one soon. In addition to flying as expected, the vehicle has many unique features in its design. It is a two-seater that takes off vertically, but once in the air it accelerates towards forward flight. It can reach faster speeds than cars and helicopters, and also uses 90% less energy than a drone. The vehicle is also shaped like a computer mouse, with 10 metre long wings that are responsible for its power. There are 36 jet engines, on these wings, which have been mounted on 12 movable flaps. At take-off the flaps point down allowing the aircraft to rise vertically, after which they gradually tilt into a horizontal position to facilitate it thrusting forward. A 1000 pound electric battery enables the jet to reach a maximum cruising speed of 300 km/hr and achieve a range of 300 km.

While the company’s achievement in creating the Lilium Jet is spectacular, they have no intention of stopping there. Their aim is to expand their product into a five passenger vehicle, which will become an on-demand option in crowded, urban areas. This will eventually replace less convenient, ground cabs with a more cost effective, in-air journey. Even though there are several obstacles that the company will have to overcome, such as; setting up take-off and landing structures and getting approval and certification for flights in public air space; they are diligently working towards their goal.

The vehicle has several features which make it a more efficient power consumer than other electric aircrafts. These include: the current battery, with a range limit of 482 km, which co-founder Patrick Nathan says will be enough to achieve the company’s ultimate goal, and its vertical take-off and landing abilities, which greatly increase the range of places it can leave from. All the vehicles that Lilium Aviation are currently developing will run on renewable energy sources, which will also be to their advantage, as electric powered aircrafts are currently the biggest step in using clean energy sources for all our transportation needs.

Cable Free Elevators – The Future of the Lift

The first public elevator was installed in a New York City building in 1874. Since then there has not been much change to its design. Most elevators still have a range that is restricted by the cable system that holds it in place, as well as the direction in which it can go. Technological advances have dictated an upgrade to our mobility; and engineering firm, ThyssenKrup, believe that the movement of elevators also needs to be improved. They have developed a modernized design, with a cable free system that will allow elevators to move horizontally as well as vertically. The firm has already conducted its first public tests, in a tower dedicated to the project, and plan to install the system in their new East Side Tower Building in Berlin.

This new elevator has been named ‘Multi,’ because of its ability to move in more than one direction. Its design is aimed at decreasing the wait time for an elevator, and replaces the cables with rails and magnetic fields. The system will also accommodate multiple cabins. The magnetic fields push the cabins along the rails, operating via a direct drive. This combination creates an in-building hyper loop, with each elevator shaft having multiple cabins. During busy periods the cabins will be able to autonomously plan and adjust their routes to prevent a ‘traffic jam’ in the system. Whenever a cabin has reached its destination, the entire system will rotate to allow it out. These new elevators will not be equipped with ‘up/down’ buttons, but will rely entirely on the rails for direction.

This revolutionary elevator concept will also change the way in which buildings are constructed. The problem associated with taking multiple elevators to get to the top floors of extremely high buildings, will be eliminated. Standard elevators are only able to extend up to 1600 feet safely, causing tall buildings to be constructed to accommodate the necessity of separate elevator shafts going up. Buildings will no longer be restricted in this way, resulting in more intricate designs in the future. Elevators can now access areas in buildings that were previously off limits. Even though the cost of one of these new elevator systems is currently five times the price of a standard one, the company is confident that its product will catch on quickly in an evolving world. Many people, especially building contractors and designers, will be willing to pay the higher costs for the extra convenience.

Regenerate, Rejuvenate and Reverse – Stem Cell Therapy and Heart Disease

The World Health Organization (WHO) has stated that cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death worldwide. Many people that are living with damaged hearts find themselves easily fatigued and unable to perform simple everyday actions. This has warranted ongoing research into finding a cure for the condition. Recently, a study published in Nature has shown that stem cell technology may be used to reverse heart damage. Most patients that currently suffer from heart disease treat the condition with medication, but the stem cell therapy will enable a regrowth of healthy cells.

The study was conducted by a team of researchers from Shinshu University. The method they proposed would involve transplanting stem cells into the heart, encouraging it to repair itself. Stem cell transplants have already been used to treat leukemia, lymphoma, Parkinson’s Disease and Alzheimer’s successfully. The process recommended by Shinshu has already been tried on primates, with good results. Some of the hearts with the transplanted cells began to beat irregularly, but there were no adverse effects of this and scientists are confident that the procedure will work well for humans.

One of the possible problems with transplanting stem cells is the risk of them being rejected by the body, as the immune system tries to protect it. This can be prevented by ensuring that the protein from the donor cells matches the recipient’s. Our immune system uses these proteins to identify harmful foreign bodies. In addition, taking mild immunosuppressants will ensure the stem cells survival for at least 12 weeks. This gives the body an adequate amount of time to accept the stem cells, and the damaged cells in the heart to begin repairing themselves.

After many years of research, Mayo Clinic has also developed a procedure that has allowed the successful transplant of stem cells into patients with heart disease. Their process involves harvesting these cells directly from the patient’s bone marrow, and then changing them into cardiac cells in a laboratory. These are then injected into the patient’s heart, where they will stimulate the growth of healthy tissue.

To refine this process, the heart was first examined at a subcellular level. During this assessment, the team discovered that there were hundreds of proteins present in cardiac tissue. They then used computer technology to separate the proteins, and found that eight of these were necessary for healthy cells in the heart. This led Mayo Clinic’s team to correctly create stem cells which would not be rejected by the immune system, creating the possibility of a more energetic way of life for those living with heart disease.