National Geographic Investigates: Future Tech: From Personal Robots to Motorized Monocycles

National Geographic Investigates

by Charles Piddock

Future Tech illustrates and explains the most current research and technologies that promise to change our lives dramatically in the future. From machines with the ability of independent thought, to cars that drive themselves, to robots that borrow their nature from nature itself, this book gives young readers an inspiring glimpse of possibilities within their lifetimes. Budding young scientists will be awed to learn of "spray-on" computers that could one day outfit us in smart clothes; every young mind will be psyched to encounter humanoid robots like Cog and Kismet; and how cool would it be to one day have tiny robots enter the bloodstream to clean up our arteries? The book’s high-quality photos and drawings explore...

   • The future of how will robotics and biomimetics shape our world?
   • The future of how will prosthetics and transplants change our lives?
   • The future of what will run the cars of the future—or will we travel by some other means?
   • The future of family what can we expect from the super-smart house, office, and school of the future?


Future Tech will fast-forward readers into a time of incredible innovation and change. This fascinating latest addition to the National Geographic Investigates Science series is way ahead of its time.

National Geographic supports K-12 educators with ELA Common Core Resources.
Visit www.natgeoed.org/commoncore for more information.

Genres: Nonfiction, Science

64 pages, Hardcover

First published July 14, 2009

Reviews

[Al]

Q: How do bionic hand works?
Ans: The hand works using two electrodes on the skin. Electrodes are devices that conduct electricity from a battery or other electric source. The electrodes pick up myoelectric signals, which are signals created by the contraction of muscle fibers in the body. (page22)

Q: Have researchers been able to re-create a heart?
Ans: In 2008, researchers from Massachusetts General Hospital announced the construction of a bio-artificial heart. The team first stripped all the cells from a rat heart, so that only the outline of the muscles structure remained. Then they 'seeded' this basic structure with heart cells from a newly borned rat. They placed the heart in a culture medium designed to encourage growth. In two weeks, the heart had regenerated and started beating.

Q: Can we learn from nature to solve problems in engineering?
ANS: It's called Biomimetics. 1982 German Botanist Wilhelm Barthlott who was studying the leaf of the lotus plant, discovered a chemical that when added to paint, makes it able to repel water and resist stains for years. George de Mestral annoyed by cockleburs that stuck to his pants and his dog's fur during a hike. This led to the invention of Velcro.

Blow fish and Mercedes benz design.

[Ben Trickey III · Rating 4 out of 5]

I found this book extremely interesting. It contained many facts about how technology of today will change over time. Diving the book into the different technological breakthroughs of our time was a great idea by Charles Piddock. It established organization throughout the book. I recommend this book to anyone who enjoys learning about robotics and technology.

[Indah Threez Lestari · Rating 3 out of 5]

447 - 2012

[nur'aini tri wahyuni · Rating 4 out of 5]

ada kesenangan, dan ketakutan diwaktu yang bersamaan, membayangkan apa yang akan terjadi dan tercipta dalam beberapa tahun mendatang.