The innovative technologies of the outgoing year will one day make it possible to embrace a person who is on another continent, cure Alzheimer’s disease and use DNA instead of a flash drive to store information

1. Social robots

Social robots are equipped with artificial intelligence that helps them “understand” how to react to information received through cameras and sensors. For example, Pepper’s humanoid robot (from SoftBank Robotics) recognizes faces, basic human emotions, and engages in conversation via a touchscreen on its chest. Social robots are especially needed by the elderly. Developed by Japan’s National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology, PARO’s seal robot relieves stress in people with Alzheimer’s. He responds to his name with head movements and reacts to affection. And the robot Mabu (Catalia Health) reminds elderly people to walk more often and take medication.

2.Metalens

Each year, devices are becoming more compact, but their optical components are not decreasing at such a high rate. Engineers have figured out what physical laws are behind their lightweight alternatives – metal lenses. Their diminutiveness will make it possible to reduce the size of cameras, optical sensors for the Internet of Things, microscopes and other equipment. In addition, scientists have developed metal lenses that correct astigmatism in humans.

3. A Potential Cure for Alzheimer’s

Several decades ago, scientists discovered a special class of proteins that cause many diseases, from cancer to neurodegenerative diseases. They are called “internally disordered proteins” (IDP). They play an important role in parts of cells called membranelles organelles. Scientists have developed a technology to manipulate these organelles, thanks to which it is likely that they will be able to find a cure for diseases that cause NDF.

4. Smart fertilizers

Standard fertilization methods are often harmful to the environment. A new development is a controlled release fertilizer that supplies the soil with nutrients when needed. They consist of small capsules, the outer shell of which slows down the penetration of water into the contents.

5. Shared telepresence

Collaborative telepresence technology is under development, but leading tech giants like Microsoft are investing in the industry. It is expected to be valued at several billion dollars by 2025. The Peter Diamandis XPRIZE Foundation has announced the ANPR Avatar XPRIZE competition. Its winner will receive funds to develop technologies that will allow people to feel the presence of each other, even if they are on different ends of the Earth.

6. Blockchain against food poisoning

It is possible to reduce the number of food poisoning using blockchain. An innovative method of using this tool in industry is for product tracking. With the help of blockchain, merchants can immediately remove spoiled food from circulation and only destroy stocks obtained from the same source. In addition, some companies have started to produce packages with sensors that monitor the quality of products and indicate the expiration date.

7.Data storage in DNA

A hard drive or flash drive can be lost or outdated, so scientists have found an alternative to traditional storage media – DNA. Information about the body, which is stored in DNA, is easily read, synthesized and copied. And the latest advances in sequencing (that is, determining the amino acid and nucleotide sequence) of DNA is the use of barcoding, where the DNA sequence is used as molecular identification markers. Thanks to this, scientists have advanced in the invention of new therapies and in the fight against drug resistance.

8.Networked energy storage

Power engineers predict that lithium-ion batteries will be used the most over the next decade. Constantly improving technology will lead to the fact that batteries will soon be able to store twice as much energy as they currently have.