As a nation we’ve never been better placed to tackle long term issues like health, our ageing population, transport, sustainability, communications, superannuation, climate change and the growing gap between rich and poor.
Innovation
Innovation: It’s all about breeding ideas
Economists once predicted that the incredible rate of technological innovation would eventually become unsustainable and peter out. Matt Ridley explores some of the reasons why Smith, Ricardo and Malthus got it so wrong.
Molecular biosensing with First Dog On The Moon
As a result of interfacing surface acoustic wave microfluidics atomisation platform with mass spectrometry
The future of recycling: reverse vending machines
Can bribery encourage more people to recycle? In the US, “reverse vending machines” reward punters for putting in used bottles and cans with everything from food vouchers to iPods. Sure beats the old 5c cash-a-can.
Finally: the Pentagon is developing a flying car
The US military is finally putting its time and money into something worthwhile: creating a flying car. The project, codenamed “Transformer”, is attempting to create a prototype SUV-helicopter hybrid within four years. Now, about those jetpacks…
Seven technologies that will transform the way we eat
From nuclear-powered, nanotechnology-delivered calories to pancakes in a can, Wired’s Epicenter looks at the emerging technologies that could shape the future of food.
The 50 best inventions of 2009
Time names the 50 coolest things created over the past year, including vertical farming, the robo-penguin and tweeting by thinking. It has also listed the year’s five worst inventions.
Scientists create landmine-detecting bugs
Scientists have used DNA manipulation to create a new type of bacteria that glows green in the presence of explosives, and may be the future of landmine detection
Europe gets onboard the Road Train to cleaner highways
The EU is exploring a novel way of reducing fuel consumption: linking cars via wireless sensors into “road trains” on Europe’s motorways, with one lead vehicle “pulling” all the others along while the drivers kick back and save on fuel.
Television enters the third dimension
3D technology — thus far utilised mostly by the novelty film industry — may finally come into its own, with Sony announcing it will have 3D TVs in homes by the end of 2010. Though the prospect of Neighbours popping out of the screen is a bit scary, it holds huge possibilities for the console gaming industry.
12 wonderful water-powered designs
Top technology harnessing the power of h20.
Why manufacturing matters
Why manufacturing? Why indeed. We’ll get no-where without a broad definition of manufacturing which comprehends the paths up the value chain that developed country manufactures should take – into design, brand management, software and systems integration, writes Nicholas Gruen.
