Enterprise: A Real...Enterprise

Yet another reminder that we are, in fact, entering the future.

Engage.

If you think you understand quantum mechanics...

Okay, Richard Feynman was an amazing dude, but I think he may have unintentionally spurred some confusion to non-physicists about our understanding of quantum mechanics.
You have probably heard his famous quote "If you think you understand quantum mechanics, you don't understand quantum mechanics." Now, if anyone understood quantum mechanics, it was probably Richard Feynman. And when he said this, he did NOT mean that physicists just have no goddamn clue how to deal with quantum mechanics, or what types of things are going on. We do know how to calculate all sorts of fun stuff that is going on in the quantum world (thanks to the almighty Schrodinger equation).
The big anomaly is that the quantum world does not behave like the macroscopic world. It is completely non-intuitive. In classical mechanics, objects behave exactly like we would expect. Balls roll down hills, pendulums sway back and forth, cars that run off the road crash into things, etc.
But, in the quantum realm, the world is turned upside down! Particles behave as waves, you can't measure both the momentum and position at the same time, particles in boxes can theoretically tunnel through walls. It's lunacy! However, we can show these things mathematically. Hell, these are problems we encounter in undergraduate quantum courses. They are relatively simple to show.
So, I hope that clears things up. Quantum mechanics is understandable in a sense. It is just crazy and we don't understand why quantum sized systems don't behave like people sized systems. If someone tells you they understand that, well, they are lying.

Prosthetic limbs that can feel and heal?

Recently, while waiting for my ride at the airport, I saw a man with two prosthetic arms. At the end of each arm was what looked like a hook split in half. He was able to move each hook apart in order to pick things up.

 At first, I tried not to stare, much like everyone else around. But, what can I say? I'm human. It was different and I was fascinated. Initially, I felt bad for him. But, as I watched him dial a number on his cell phone and take things out of his pockets with relative ease, I was actually quite impressed. What advancements we have made in the past few years! Fifty or so years ago this man would have been helpless. And it turns out, this is only the beginning.

I recently came across this article, describing a new polymer material capable of healing itself when cut and sending electric signals when pressure is applied to it. So, here's a riddle: What else can heal itself and send electric signals when touched? 

Yeah, skin. And that is exactly what these scientists at Stanford are creating it for (possibly other applications as well?). They intend to use for prosthetic limbs just like my friend at the airport had. 

Currently, it seems their only problem is the elasticity of the material. It doesn't quite stretch like our skin does. But, I have a feeling they'll be figuring that out soon enough. 

Now all we need is light sabers. :)

Spill all over yourself with no repercussions!

 We'll never have to wash our clothes again! But seriously, this study, reported in the Journal of the American Chemical Society is pretty neat. Scientists have now developed surfaces that can repel most liquids. Not only would you stay dry in the rain and snow, but these surfaces have applications for protecting people in more dangerous situations as well.

Wait, what?

So, I recently learned about this 100 Year Starship project. This is just about the coolest goddamn thing I have ever seen in my life. I had to check around to make sure the internet wasn't just pulling a fast one on me. It's not. This is real.
I'll admit, I am a pretty big sci-fi nerd. I love BSG, Stargate, Firely, Star Trek, you name it, all the starship-involving series. However, my utter fascination with this project goes beyond the whole sci-fi morphing into sci-fact thing. I do physics and I majored in astrophysics as an undergrad. So, I have a pretty decent understanding of just how difficult it really is to traverse the interstellar medium. Pretty difficult. It's basically like a dustmite trying to crawl to Miami from Seattle (the is not an exact analogy, just off the top of my head, but you get the gist).
You've probably heard that the closest star is a little over four light years away. That means that if you somehow managed to find a way to travel AT the speed of light, you'd get there in a little over four years. But our current technology only enables us to travel at an insignificant fraction of the the speed of light. It would take thousands of years to get to that closest star. But alas, the 100yss people are trying to figure out faster ways for us to travel! There are a few possibilities, even FTL, according to this: warp drive?
Yeah, that's right, NASA is trying to find a way to travel Star Trek style.
Beyond the propulsion technology, this whole endeavor will require enormous efforts from all sorts of people all around the world. This project has the potential to bring humanity to the next level of civilization. Maybe even bring us together?

Not too shabby, Science.

So, it's 2013 and we may not have flying cars or space odysseys with creepy obelisks, but what these people are doing is pretty damn impressive. Here's a list of the biggest breakthroughs of 2012. Of course, you'd expect to see the Higgs on there, but you might be surprised at some of the other little talked about endeavors.
Proof of progress!

I can't wait to see what 2013 brings!