The “Next Big Thing”: 8 New Technologies That Will Change The World
My essay, “The Next Big Thing in Technology: 20 inventions that will change the world,” was published in 2020. Since then, it has had over 100,000 reads and over 5,000 social media shares. However, reading it now will make clear that what was written back then is out of date. It is time for an update that highlights the major technologies of today that will be the craze in 2030 (or 2028, or 2032, etc.).
These timelines should be regarded with caution because forecasts are frequently off, particularly in the field of technology (see my 2023 tech predictions if you don’t think so). This is because history, which is the study of surprises, is frequently used as a roadmap for the future. But this shouldn’t deter us from trying to comprehend the future better. First of all, the information gathered during planning is essential to choose the right course of action when future events develop. Secondly, you’ll never know what to be astonished by if you don’t make any predictions! Keeping this in mind, the following eight inventions are going to transform the globe in the next years.
1. High-temperature superconductivity
The capacity of some ceramics to exhibit zero or low electrical resistance at temperatures greater than −196°C / −321°F (the region of ordinary superconductors) is known as high-temperature superconductivity (HTS). This implies that liquid nitrogen may be used to cool HT superconductors instead of costly and difficult-to-manage coolants like liquid helium. Furthermore, compared to Low-Temperature superconductors, they can tolerate far greater magnetic fields.
Superconductive materials have many uses, but only one of them may be genuinely revolutionary — while being completely uninteresting. HTS will enhance the electric power industry and lessen its negative effects on the environment by lowering technical losses and raising energy efficiency. Its application in fusion reactors is being discussed in the future, but those discussions are still in the early stages.
Regardless, HTS remains a relatively outdated technology. What are ceramic superconductors?
