5 new technologies that will soon change the world for the better

1. Smart fertilizers

Chemical fertilizers allow you to get a high yield, but at the same time they cause serious damage to nature. Especially when they are used more than specific plants need. They will help to solve the problem of soil pollution with chemicals.

These are high-tech capsules that contain nutrients. The capsule can be programmed to dispense fertilizer in the right amount over a period of time. All this is taking into account the temperature, acidity, moisture and other characteristics of the soil. This technology will significantly reduce the use of chemicals, but at the same time will not reduce the yield of plants. Everyone wins: producers will reduce the cost of purchasing fertilizers, and nature will suffer less from pollution by hazardous substances.

2. Storing data in DNA

We live in the information age. Humanity is producing more and more data, and it needs to be stored somewhere. Since 2016, scientists from Microsoft have been working on the creation of technology that will allow placing any information in the DNA molecule. They achieved their first successes 4 years ago. Then they managed to encrypt 200 megabytes of information in the nucleotide sequence, including a short music video.

In 2019, scientists will automate the process of translating digital data into DNA and back. This will allow the technology to work on the principle of cloud services: the user uploads information to the network and, if necessary, gets access to it in a couple of clicks. At the same time, data that is today stored in a multi-storey data center can be recorded on a medium the size of a palm.

3. Bioplastic from waste

It takes centuries for ordinary plastic to decompose. Until then, it pollutes the planet and various harmful substances into the environment. The discovery of a young British woman, Lucy Hughes, could remedy this situation. Graduate of the University of Sussex bioplastic from fish waste. It decomposes like any organic product in 4-6 weeks.

In the course of research, Hughes found out that the scales and skeletons of fish, as well as fragments of shells of mollusks, contain a specific protein that gives the material special strength. Bioplastic from fish waste can be used for food packaging, bags and other disposables. And they dispose of it as ordinary food waste.

Large companies from Great Britain (Chrysalix Technologies), Finland (MetGen Oy) and the USA (Mobius) are also engaged in the creation of bioplastics. They propose to take lignin as a basis - a substance that is part of cellulose. While the projects are at the research stage, but scientists hope that their discoveries have a great future.

4. Safe nuclear reactors

Nuclear reactors existing today cannot be called completely safe. When overheated, explosive hydrogen is formed in them. This is what caused the accident at the Chernobyl nuclear power plant.

Experts from Westinghouse Electric Company and Framatome to create a new generation of reactors that will be resistant to high temperatures. Instead of water, they use liquid sodium or molten salt for cooling, so no hydrogen is generated. Consequently, the likelihood of an explosion is greatly reduced.

Also, experts in the field of nuclear power are developing new safety systems that can cool the reactor when it overheats, even if the nuclear power plant has lost electricity and the coolant has stopped circulating.

5. Social robots

Robots have already replaced humans in some industries, medicine and construction. They also took on some of the daily tasks. One of the few areas in which robots cannot yet compete with humans is communication. But the situation may change soon.

Scientists are gradually improving artificial intelligence, endowing it with more and more new skills. For example, a Japanese humanoid is able to recognize faces and basic emotions, and can also maintain an uncomplicated conversation. Peppers already work in airports and hotels, help participants in international conferences, and can even take orders at fast food restaurants.

Another Japanese invention is therapeutic. It looks like a furry fur seal and is intended for people with Alzheimer's. PARO reacts to his name with head movements and asks to stroke it. It is believed that communication with such a robot can help reduce stress and improve mood.