Promising technologies of the 21st century. Adventik - a full-service digital agency What are the key technologies of the 21st century
The list of 21st century inventions is not limited to smart glasses, watches, augmented reality and the Large Hadron Collider. Science has taken a confident step forward. This was helped by modern technologies, government support and the desire of mankind to make the world a better place, because what else, if not concern for one’s neighbor, dictated attempts to create, for example, artificial organs that will help many people in need of transplants live a long life, and the latest prostheses that allow free movement for those who are doomed to live in a wheelchair.
Smart glasses
The augmented reality device, which was developed on the basis of Android by the Internet giant Google, will not surprise anyone today, although the glasses were launched into mass production only in April 2014. This 21st century invention features a transparent head-mounted display just above the right eye, as well as a camera that can record high-quality video. Testing began in April 2012, and the media reported about the new product a month before.
Google Glass interacts with the user using voice commands and gestures, which are recognized by the touchpad on the arm behind the display. The concept of glasses in the future should simultaneously implement three different functions, namely the Internet, video diary + mobile communication + augmented reality. Interestingly, the sound is transmitted to the user without the use of an earphone, but directly through the bones of the skull.
3D printer
Chuck Hull, the man who invented the 3D printer, is now over 75 years old and a chemist. He saw an outstanding invention of the 21st century in a dream. The device is valuable because it can revolutionize medicine. It is already being used to print teeth, bones and entire organs. The first object to emerge from 3D printing was an unsightly mug that took several months to create. Modern products are already distinguished by the elaboration of details.
It is expected that the use of 3D printing market products will be useful in the automotive industry, aerospace industry, architecture, medicine, and the production of consumer goods. Most operations are computer controlled. The reverse process is also possible - digitizing the finished product using a 3D printer and creating a computer model or drawing.
The Large Hadron Collider
This 21st century invention is essentially just an accelerator for protons and heavy ions, but the primary goal of the launch was to confirm the existence of the Higgs boson. These are mysterious objects with the help of which all basic particles acquire mass. There are other theories that predict the existence of a number of particles, which physicists are also trying to find. The project's prospects are positive: the possibility of targeted control of gravity, acceleration of the conversion of matter into energy, research of anti-worlds, creation of photon engines, and so on.
Artificial memories
In 2013, scientists for the first time managed to create artificial memory and implant it into the brain of a living organism. The first experiments were carried out on laboratory mice, and the method is based on introducing information into those areas of the brain that store information about the past. As a result of the experiment, mice began to react with fear to an environment that previously evoked positive feelings in them. This discovery of the 21st century (an invention based on it has not yet been invented, but a start has already been made) makes it possible to develop new ways of treating people with psychological trauma.
Retinal implant
The retina consists of millions of light-sensitive photoreceptors that are responsible for color and twilight vision. Damage to the rods and cones as a result of various congenital or acquired diseases leads to a gradual deterioration of vision and its complete loss. They have already tried to solve this problem several times, but scientists from the Italian Institute of Technology proposed a completely new approach by creating an artificial retina.
Researchers have already tested this 21st century invention on rats. A month after the operation, the scientists assessed the vision of the experimental subjects with an artificial retina. The rats reacted to low light in almost the same way as before, but they perceived bright light as healthy animals. Testing was repeated after six and ten months. The animals' vision deteriorated (they aged), but the positive effect of the artificial retina still persisted.
Scientists do not yet know whether they will be able to repeat the results obtained in humans, and it is not entirely clear how such a retina functions. This remains to be determined. Previously there was information that the first test results could be obtained by the beginning of 2018, but for now the scientific community is keeping these studies secret.
Teleportation
The newest invention of the 21st century is teleportation. The age-old dream of mankind has practically come true. So far, however, only inanimate objects can be transmitted through the network. The teleportation device first scans the object and then sends the data to the places where it is needed. There, the object is recreated using 3D printing. But in order to “teleport” something, it must first be destroyed, so scientists are still afraid to experiment with biological creatures. Such a device is, rather, only a test sample for now.
Contraceptive patch
The new type of contraceptive can already be purchased in pharmacies. This is a smooth adhesive plaster, approximately 5 x 4 cm in size. You need to glue one such plaster once a week (for three weeks of the menstrual cycle) on the stomach, shoulder, buttocks or shoulder blade. Works similarly to oral contraceptive pills. Manufacturers claim that the reliability of the contraceptive is about 99.4%. In terms of protection, this product is close to a condom.
Autonomous artificial heart
AbioCor is an artificial heart designed to treat heart failure. A modern invention of the 21st century, it was developed by Abiomed, Massachusetts, USA. The artificial heart is completely located in the patient’s body and has an external battery that is charged through the skin, that is, it does not require a wired connection.
As of September 2004, the device had been implanted in 14 patients. Clinical studies have shown cardiac safety, a feature important for those patients with acute heart failure for whom alternative therapies are not possible. People’s lives were able to be extended for several months, while the patient was able to freely communicate with family and friends.
Unfortunately, following the death of the device's principal investigator and developer for pancreatic cancer in August 2012, development and implementation of AbioCor ceased. The manufacturing company refused to further develop the device.
Virtual and augmented reality
Virtual reality, that is, a computer simulation of reality, was first discussed back in the late sixties. The main goals of technology development are: creating and improving the reality of games and other entertainment, improving the quality of life and the ability to prepare for a specific event (people can practice specific skills, this is useful, for example, for pilots).
The term "augmented reality" was coined in 1990. It is a technology that adds layers of enhancements to existing reality to make it more expressive, vibrant and multifaceted.
But if both technologies were developed in the last century, why then should they be counted among the interesting inventions of the 21st century? The fact is that only now devices for augmented and virtual reality have been created, which have allowed them to be fully “experienced” not only by scientists, but also by the general public.
Biomechanical pancreas
So far, scientists are just developing an artificial pancreas in an effort to help people with type 1 diabetes control their glucose. It is expected that this invention will provide endocrine functionality to a healthy pancreas.
Bionic contact lenses
This invention is a virtual display that can have many applications. The finished device will look like the most ordinary contact lens, but with the inclusion of bionic technologies. Looking through such lenses, one will see that the generated display is superimposed on the real world. Future developments include integrated solar panels, wireless communications, and radio frequency power transmission. The invention has already been tested on rabbits for 20 minutes, and no vision problems were observed in the animals.
Artificial liver
An artificial liver was created by Russian inventors. The device filters the blood of a person who suffers from liver failure and neutralizes toxins that have entered the blood. As a basis, scientists used pork liver extract, which is closest in its anatomical and physiological characteristics to human liver. The first experiments on rats were successful, and soon the operation on humans was a success. The cost of the Russian device is 15 thousand dollars (937 thousand rubles).
ReWalk
The best inventions of the 21st century are related to medicine - it is in this area that breakthroughs are being observed. ReWalk is a bionic exoskeleton that will help people with complete loss of voluntary movements to walk, stand, and climb stairs. The system is powered by a battery and a remote bracelet that is worn on the wrist. You can write about this invention of the 21st century in an essay, because such a development will really help humanity.
The system weighs approximately 23.3 kg. Additionally, you need a backpack that contains all the electronics running on the Windows operating system. This backpack weighs 2.3 kg. ReWalk was approved for use in US hospitals, and in June 2014 it was cleared for patient self-use at home and in public settings. The only drawbacks are the device is too heavy and expensive.
Let's together choose one of the most important technology inventions of the 21st century from the list from the “point of view” of the Telegraph newspaper (UK).
(2000)
Bluetooth technology has been introduced since 1999, but it was only in the early 21st century that manufacturers began to integrate this technology into mobile phones and computers.
Today, with more and more devices being released connected to this technology, Bluetooth has become an important part of our daily lives, and will continue to become more important in the coming time.
2. iPod(2001)
The top MP3 player has been on the market for many years now, with Apple launching a line of products of this type in 2001. Even still, it is truly a dream of many people.
3. AbioCor artificial heart (2001)
This artificial heart was first used in place of a human heart during a 2001 operation. This heart has the ability to independently operate a power supply, which is not the same as the design of a conventional artificial heart before, in that it does not require the addition of barbaric, unpleasant wires that previously increased the risk of inflammation.
4. Mozilla Firefox (2002)
Firefox is the first web browser powerful enough to challenge the dominance of the Internet browser Explorer since Microsoft's Netscape Navigator browser in the "browser wars" first.
It is a free and open source browser, so it becomes attractive to Windows users who don't want to be completely tied into the world of Microsoft software.
However, after a period of wild growth, Mozilla's Firefox eventually gave way to a stronger adversary: Google's Chrome browser.
4. Mozilla Firefox (2002)
5. Skype (2003)
Skype has completely changed the way people communicate with each other across borders.
There was never any time to make phone calls with relatives or friends abroad - it is always expensive, the cost is exorbitant. But thanks to Skype, this application doesn't just help people communicate; it comes with video chat absolutely free.
The original Skype only worked on society's desktop computers, but over time, it was developed on mobile platforms and nowadays, many people use it to communicate with friends and colleagues, and not just over long distances.
5. Skype (2003)
6. Facebook(2004)
However, Facebook quickly took the lead due to its simplicity, ease of use and exclusivity (users must initially register for a university email account to become a member).
Today, Facebook has become the largest social network in the world, connecting more than 1.6 billion users around the world, whose members in many components come from different nationalities and ages. And, compared to other social networks, Facebook is still an elusive leader.
6. Facebook (2004)
7. YouTube (2005)
Three former PayPal employees created YouTube in 2005, the most popular video hosting site in the world.
The key to success on YouTube is that it creates opportunities for people around the world to make themselves known for free.
7. YouTube (2005)
8. iPhone(2007)
Apple's iPhone is a line of touchscreen smartphones and the first to receive widespread support in the market.
One of the reasons why the iPhone has become more attractive is because it's really easy for people to use one finger to control it instead of having to resort to assistive devices.
To date, Apple has sold more than 900 million iPhone devices.
9. BBC iPlayer (2007)
The Internet TV service - iplayer from the BBC in the UK was also considered an important invention, providing users with a choice for watching television programs depending on their preferences.
10, iplayer from the BBC (2007)
10. Book tablet for reading Kindle from Amazon (2007)
In 2007, Amazon launched an e-reader into the market.
It has already outperformed rival Sony in providing this device with low and seamless integration with the book and online bookstore.
Amazon currently controls 80% of the books market, at least in the UK.
10. book tablet for reading Kindle from Amazon (2007)
11. Android operating system(2008)
To counteract the overwhelming power of Apple's iPhone, other cell phone makers have begun in earnest to develop operating systems that can compete with Apple's iOS.
Android was originally created as an open source camera operating system, but was acquired by Google in 2005 and launched as a mobile device operating system in 2008.
Android is the main operating system for phones from Samsung, Sony, LG and HTC, as well as a number of other studios, and occupies more than 80% of the OS market worldwide.
11. Android operating system (2008)
12. 4G network (2008)
In 2008, the Federation of International Telecommunications created a specific set of requirements for a standard 4G network, allowing for much greater Internet connectivity faster than 3G networks.
13. Tablet, iPad Apple (2010)
Once again Apple contributed again and came up with iPad tablet technology.
Just like the iPhone, when the iPad launched, it was not the first tablet in the world, but it created a new trend among the consumer. From then until now, it has been the most popular tablet in the world.(2011)
IBM Watson is a software, an artificial intelligence that is able to answer all questions asked of it in natural language.
In 2011, the program was tested on America's TV channel in a program called “Own Game” and defeated the two best champions of all time in this game.
15. IBM Watson Artificial Intelligence Software (2011)
16. Driverless cars from Google (2012)
Google has yet to release any of these cars into the automotive market. However, the company began testing the vehicle in California in 2012 and aims to roll out the product widely in 2017.
16. Driverless cars from Google (2012)
The basis of the economy of the post-industrial stage of development of modern civilization is the innovation sector. It is the production of new knowledge and technologies that creates the bulk of the added value of the product, while the other part of it, attributable to the direct production of the product, is steadily decreasing due to production automation. Scientific and technological progress and the latest technologies created on its basis have always been considered the highest good and the locomotive of the development of modern civilization.
However, recently this paradigm has increasingly been called into question. The fact is that the rapid development of information technology, robotics, artificial intelligence systems and other high-tech sectors of the modern economy and industry leads to the release of labor, throwing well-established middle-class people “out onto the street.” But it is the middle class that has always been considered the “backbone” of modern society, the guarantor of its stability and development.
But, despite the globalization of the world economy, existing differences in the level of development, mentality, and traditions lead to the fact that trends that cause legitimate concerns in some countries can become a source of development in others.
We will try to demonstrate these theses using the example of one of the most progressive and developing technologies of the 21st century - the 3D industry.
The 3D industry is the creation and use of so-called 3D printers - devices that perform 3D printing. The very idea and possibility of implementing 3D printing, that is, layer-by-layer recreation of three-dimensional objects based on their computer models, arose in the second half of the last century. But only at the beginning of the 2000s the development of computer and related technologies made it possible to begin its practical and mass implementation.
Today, the 3D industry is at the initial stage of its development, if we evaluate its total contribution to the global economy. But its achievements and growth prospects (from 50% to 150% per year) are impressive. Let us give some typical examples.
3D technologies are beginning to be widely used for rapid “prototyping”, that is, creating prototypes of units and devices of developed samples of new innovative technology, buildings and structures, jewelry, packaging design, implants and much more. This allows us to radically reduce the costs of producing final products and increase their competitiveness. For example, PORSHE engineers used 3D technology to create a new design for the transmission of their cars - a prototype transmission made of transparent material made it possible to visually study the oil flow in this device and make the necessary changes to optimize its operation.
3D technologies are used to produce parts for real-life systems. For example, Lockheed, in the production of its Polecat unmanned aircraft, used 3D printing technologies to produce the bulk of its components (up to 70% percent).
3D technologies are indispensable in small-scale production, since they do not require the creation of special production lines, the costs of which cannot be recouped in small-scale production.
3D technologies have become widely used in medicine in prosthetics and the production of implants (fragments of the skeleton, bones, cartilage tissue, dental crowns, bridges). Experiments are underway to print donor organs from materials containing stem cells. Solving this problem will radically change the situation in transplantology, which is especially important for Russia.
3D technologies can be used in construction. Experiments have shown that a two-story house can be erected in just twenty hours, after which all that remains is to carry out the interior finishing and install windows and doors.
3D technologies are also entering everyday life. Home 3D printers are already on sale. It is possible that in the near future they will become as widespread as home computers.
The above examples do not exhaust the possibilities of using 3D printing, which are expanding every year. In the West, there is an opinion that the development of 3D technologies can have negative social and political consequences. The fact is that the widespread use of 3D printing could cause a sharp increase in unemployment among highly skilled workers, and also radically change the internal economy of many companies, putting them on the brink of ruin. But in Russia the situation is completely different.
The level of development of the 3D industry in Russia leaves much to be desired. This also applies to our own production of 3D printers and their use. The latter is especially important. The fact is that the development of the 3D industry will make it possible to solve a number of serious problems facing the country and which are radically different from what is happening in the West.
Firstly, the shortage of qualified labor, which is very difficult to eliminate due to the difficult demographic situation and the loss of blue-collar training centers, can be leveled. Indeed, 3D technologies require a significantly smaller number of qualified specialists.
Secondly. The lag in the use of 3D technology can negate all attempts to diversify the Russian economy due to the fact that the higher cost of developed and created high-tech products will make them uncompetitive in the domestic and foreign markets. The development of our own production of 3D printers is also important. But this is still not the main thing. In today's globalized economy, it is impossible to live on “complete self-sufficiency.” It is necessary to set priorities and develop those industries where we can be potential leaders. And in the development of these productions, the most modern and advanced achievements of scientific and technological progress, including 3D technologies, should be used.
Currently, 3D technologies are used in Russia mainly by small enterprises working in the field of architecture, design, and high-tech production. Russian manufacturers and importers of 3D printers say that their business is “stalling” due to the fact that large private and especially state-owned companies do not show due interest in these technologies due to conservatism and inertial thinking. These factors are undoubtedly present. But it’s not only and not so much about that. There are other, perhaps more fundamental reasons. Characteristic, by the way, for the entire high-tech industry of Russia.
First. There are no companies in the country providing consulting and marketing services in this area. Indeed, how can the management of a large corporation understand which 3D technologies (and there are more than 10 of them today) and which 3D printers (and there are hundreds of them at prices ranging from 35 thousand rubles to 100 thousand dollars) they should use in their activities (taking into account specifics of the enterprise)? What specialists are needed for this? What economic impact could this bring?
Second. If an informed decision has been made to introduce 3D technologies, then where to find qualified specialists ready to work in this area? Or where can they be prepared? And where are the guarantees that these specialists will be highly qualified?
Therefore, the task of developing state education standards in the field of using 3D technologies and creating certified training centers for this kind of specialists is extremely urgent. And Russian technical universities, which have extensive experience in implementing “breakthrough” technological solutions, can undoubtedly cope with this task.
As an example, let us cite the experience of the National Research University "MPEI". In the early 1950s, it was MPEI graduates who founded the domestic computer industry, which competed equally with the American one, and often even surpassed it. Soviet SUPER-COMPUTERS, such as BESM-6, "Elbrus", M-10, M-13, "Tetiva" became the basis of global air and missile defense systems, space control systems and missile attack warning systems, made it possible to implement all the most significant technological solutions in various sectors of the Soviet economy, both military and civilian. Suffice it to say that the policy of “détente,” the foundations of which were laid during the visit of US President R. Nixon to Moscow in 1972, was a consequence of the USSR’s successes in the field of strategic defense weapons systems, which were based on the developments of MPEI graduates and teachers.
The most interesting thing is that the first work in the field of computer engineering was initiated by MPEI employees and students and was carried out, in modern terms, as startups.
This experience and these traditions are carried over to this day. Now the state, at the legislative level, has introduced a new format for the implementation of new technological solutions - the so-called “Small Innovative Enterprises” (SIE), which have significant tax benefits. Taking into account the well-established connections between technical universities in Russia and enterprises in the real sector of the economy, the creation of specialized SIEs on their basis will make it possible to introduce 3D technologies and ensure the training of relevant specialists, including from among the employees of interested enterprises.
It seems to us that the above example of the impact of the introduction of innovative technologies on the development of the country clearly shows how the problems of modernizing the Russian economy can be solved by integrating it into the global system of the world market. It is also obvious that such an approach, extended to all other areas of “high technology,” will form a completely new attitude among young people to study their chosen specialties, and give additional impetus to mastering all the necessary professional competencies. All this, ultimately, will contribute to the formation of a new generation of people in the country who want and, most importantly, are able to bring it to a new level of development.
The list of emerging emerging technologies contains some of the most outstanding current events, achievements and innovations in various fields of modern technology. New technologies are technical innovations that represent progressive changes within an area of competitive advantage. Opinions vary on the feasibility, significance, status and economic viability of various new technologies. There are constant socio-political discussions about many new technologies and their consequences for society.
There are a huge number of promising technologies of the 21st century; below we will consider three examples from different fields of activity.
Agriculture
1) An agricultural robot or agrobot is a robot used for agricultural purposes.
The main area of application of robots in agriculture is the harvesting period. Fruit picking robots, autonomous driving tractor/sprayers, and sheep shearing robots are intended to replace human labor. The agriculture industry lags behind other industries in the use of robots because the types of jobs associated with agriculture are not “straightforward” and many repetitive tasks are not exactly the same each time. In most cases, many factors (such as the size and color of the fruit being harvested) must be considered before the task begins. Robots can be used for other crop production tasks such as pruning, weeding/ploughing, irrigation and monitoring.
2) Genetically modified food is food obtained from genetically modified organisms (GMOs) - plants, animals or microorganisms. Products that are obtained using genetically modified organisms or that contain at least one component obtained from products containing GMOs can also be considered genetically modified, depending on the legislation of the country. Genetically modified organisms gain some new properties by transferring individual genes into the genome, theoretically from any organism (in the case of transgenesis) or from the genome of related species (cisgenesis).
3) Test tube meat, also known as cultured meat or cultured meat, is meat that has never been part of a living, complete animal. Several current research projects are trying to grow meat experimentally in vitro, although it has not yet reached the point of producing cultured meat for public consumption. The first phase will likely be to produce ground meat, but the long-term goal is to grow full-fledged cultured muscle tissue. Potentially, muscle tissue from any animal can be grown in vitro.
Biotechnology and healthcare
1) Genetic engineering (genetic engineering) is a set of techniques, methods and technologies for obtaining recombinant RNA and DNA, isolating genes from an organism (cells), manipulating genes and introducing them into other organisms.
Genetic engineering is not a science in the broad sense, but is a tool of biotechnology, using methods of biological sciences such as molecular and cellular biology, cytology, genetics, microbiology, virology.
2) Organ cultivation is a promising bioengineering technology, the goal of which is to create various full-fledged viable biological organs for humans. The technology has not yet been used in humans, but active developments and experiments are underway in this area. According to the director of the Federal Scientific Center for Transplantology and Artificial Organs named after Shumakov, Professor Sergei Gauthier, growing organs will become available in 10-15 years.
3) Implants (German: Implantat) - a class of medical devices used for implantation into the body either as prostheses (replacements for missing human organs) or as an identifier (for example, a chip with information about a pet, implanted under the skin). Dental implants are a type of implants for implantation into the bones of the upper and lower jaw, which are used as a basis for attaching removable and fixed dental prostheses. There is also the implantation of capsules with pharmacological contents, for example Norplant contraceptive capsules containing hormonal contraceptives.
Energy
1) Biofuel - fuel from plant or animal raw materials, from waste products of organisms or organic industrial waste.
There are liquid biofuels (for internal combustion engines, for example, ethanol, methanol, biodiesel), solid biofuels (firewood, briquettes, fuel pellets, wood chips, straw, husks) and gaseous (synthesis gas, biogas, hydrogen)
2) Ionistor (ultracapacitor, double-layer electrochemical capacitor, English EDLC, Electric double-layer capacitor) - an electrochemical device, a capacitor with an organic or inorganic electrolyte, the “plates” of which are a double electrical layer at the interface between the electrode and the electrolyte. Functionally, it is a hybrid of a capacitor and a chemical current source.
3) Nanoantenna (antenna) - a device for converting solar energy into electric current, built on the principle of a rectifying antenna, but operating not in the radio range, but in the optical wavelength range of electromagnetic radiation. The idea of using antennas to collect solar energy was first proposed by Robert Bailey in 1972.
Information Technology
1) Artificial intelligence (AI, English: Artificial intelligence, AI) - the science and technology of creating intelligent machines, especially intelligent computer programs. AI is related to the similar task of using computers to understand human intelligence, but is not necessarily limited to biologically plausible methods.
2) Machine translation is the process of translating texts (written, and ideally oral) from one natural language to another using a special computer program. This is also the name of the direction of scientific research related to the construction of such systems.
3) Bulk optical memory is a type of computer memory in which information can be written and read in three-dimensional space (and not in the usual two-dimensional plane, such as in CDs).
This method of storing information can potentially make it possible to record on the order of a terabyte of data on disks comparable in size to CDs. Reading and writing files is achieved by focusing the laser into the volume. However, since the data structure is volumetric, the laser beam must pass through other data points to reach the area where it needs to be read or written. So some kind of non-linearity is required to ensure that this data does not interfere with reaching the desired point.
Man is one of the smartest and most intellectually developed living organisms on Earth. It is not surprising that in just almost two decades of the 21st century many new inventions and technologies have been invented in culture, science, economics, medicine and other spheres of life. Moreover, humanity does not stop there. More and more important technical solutions are constantly emerging that have a positive effect and promise to change the world in the near future. What are the most significant new technologies that have emerged in the 21st century?
A virtual reality
Among the latest technological trends are augmented and virtual reality. In the first case, AR technology involves the perception, with the help of special devices, of individual artificial elements of virtual information as an integral part of the surrounding world. VR, on the other hand, creates a new hyper-realistic virtual environment with which the user can interact using the senses. A person is completely immersed in the artificial world, right in the center of events and feels the reality of what is happening.
In order to fully simulate interaction with the virtual environment, various devices are used, from smartphones with special functionality, glasses and helmets to retinal monitors that form an image on the retina, and virtual reality rooms in which the maximum immersion effect is achieved. Realism is enhanced by a multi-channel acoustic system with sound source location and tactile sensation simulation using motion sensors and manipulators.
Although now the technologies are more of an entertaining nature, most likely, in the future they will be widely used in healthcare to create simulators for rehabilitation, glasses that can restore vision, digital contact lenses that measure blood glucose levels, etc. Already today they are used in medicine The latest technologies of the 21st century, influencing and transmitting data using brain interfaces directly to the brain, but such techniques are still expensive for everyday use.
Innovative glasses O2amp are able to detect the most minor changes in the skin. With their help, you can determine the level of oxygen saturation of the skin, hemoglobin concentration and heart rate.
Medical technology
Modern medicine is developing dynamically, and introduced innovations directly affect the quality of life of the population, restoring and maintaining health for tens of thousands of people every day.
Artificial heart
According to statistics, the most common cause of death in the world is cardiovascular disease, so experts pay great attention to developments in this area. The artificial engine of the human body is intended for people with severe heart failure. In cases where a heart transplant cannot be avoided, and without a transplant, death is inevitable, the AbioCor prosthesis, developed by a Massachusetts company, is used to save a person’s life. Due to the acute shortage of donor hearts, patients have a significantly increased chance of waiting their turn for a transplant.
Compared to other types of artificial hearts that require direct connection to external equipment, AbioCor is used autonomously. This heart is located in the human body, has an internal battery and is recharged directly through the skin through a special magnetic device from an external power source. The absence of wires or tubes passing through the skin eliminates the risk of infection and reduces the possibility of complications.
According to research results, a cardiac prosthesis can extend life up to 17 months. But for implantation, the patient must meet certain parameters (height, weight). Currently, the creation of the second version of AbioCor has not yet been completed, but the innovative prosthesis has given a significant impetus to other development companies in this healthcare segment.
3D implants
The latest technologies of the 21st century such as a 3D printer have found application not only in architecture and design, but also in medicine. 3D printing of implants can be used in pharmaceuticals and reconstructive surgery, allowing the replacement of teeth, bones or amputated body parts.
The newest invention was first presented by the American company Organovo, which developed a bioprinter designed for printing tissues (skin, blood vessels, etc.) that can be used as substitutes for “natural” organs. If earlier scientists conducted research in the field of stem cells in order to restore and grow organs, today the bioprinter has become a fairly effective alternative.
The ink for such a printer is the cells of the required type, and the print head, controlled by a computer, lays them out in the required order. In research institutes around the world, including in Russia, quite promising experiments are constantly being conducted on various options for printing technologies for donor organs.
For paralyzed patients, in order to reduce the risk of bedsores, special underwear was developed that, after a certain period of time, sends an electrical impulse and contracts the muscle.
Fantastic exoskeleton
In the 21st century, many new technologies developed abroad are designed to help people with disabilities. The main task is to ensure a full life at any age. As a result of diseases of the nervous and muscular systems or due to age, in most cases a person cannot lead an active social life and requires help. Robotics company Cyberdyne has developed two exoskeleton prototypes at a Japanese university. The device, which operates autonomously for about 2 hours, makes movement much easier.
The exoskeleton is used in Japanese clinics for the rehabilitation of disabled and injured people, and has also been certified by the European Union. In addition, the exoskeleton can be used for work that requires increased physical activity (rescue operations, construction), since the device allows the operator to lift and carry heavy objects.
In the field of brain-computer interface development, many projects are also aimed at helping people with disabilities. Recently, scientists from the American company Neural Signals presented to the world their new invention, thanks to which speech spoken by a person in his thoughts is voiced. The wireless device is completely hidden in the head, in the area of the cortex that is responsible for speech. Interestingly, the signal from the command motor cortex travels to the larynx and tongue at the same speed as in a healthy person - only 50 seconds. Of course, this is much faster than brain-computer projects based on various variants of mental writing.
Artificial intelligence
In the coming years, according to experts, we will see widespread successful implementation of artificial intelligence systems. Thus, oncologists at the Maine Cancer Center turned to one of the famous AI systems in the world to use the capabilities of the IBM Watson supercomputer to diagnose and treat benign and malignant tumors. The diagnosis in each specific case will be made by analyzing the supercomputer database, into which more than 600 thousand medical reports, 2 million texts from medical journals, as well as the results of clinical oncological studies are loaded. If necessary, treatment will be prescribed taking into account 1.5 million case histories and successful fight against a similar disease.
It is expected that the assistance of smart software in diagnosis and medical decision-making will make it possible to detect cancer in the early stages, and for doctors to concentrate on more complex cases, thereby reducing the possibility of death.
