The Big Idea: How Breakthroughs of the Past Shape The Future is an excellent work on
the emerging technologies in nanotechnology, regenerative medicine, nuclear power
generation at the neighborhood level, underwater submersible vehicles and much more.
The format of the presentation is by order of advances in medicine, transportation,
communications technologies, biochemistry and the environment. The Big Idea traces
how global human life expectancy has evolved from 30 years to nearly 70 years of age
in just 2000 years.
Many of the newest ideas in science are discussed together with the people who
gave birth to the ideas. For instance, Nicola Tesla conceived of the wireless transfer
of energy. Thomas Edison set forth all encompassing ideas in electrical engineering
and the nationwide power grid.
Medical advances in nanocapsules include an antibiotic immersed in a dye. Tiny capsule
bursts occur when exposed to toxins secreted by pathogenic bacteria. Just the right amount
of antibiotic is delivered to the site of the pathogens to avoid overburdening the body
with powerful medications.
The idea behind CytImmune’s tumor-targeted delivery of TNF is attributable to the
miniscule size and composition of the nanoparticles. TNF and PEG-Thiol bind to the
surface of gold (AU) nanoparticles. The therapeutic payload travels safely through
the blood. Immune detection is bypassed. The payload is delivered to the disease
site expeditiously. Aurimune, a mere 27 nanometers leaves the circulatory system
via leaky, newly formed vasculature at tumor sites. Gaps in the blood vessel walls
are bypassed.
Regenerative medicine is reaching an advanced stage; whereby, sheets of skin
can be grown to graft onto wounds. Lab grown bladders are being contemplated,
as well as stem cells to regrow cardiac muscle damaged by severe heart attacks.
The Hyperion Power Generator produces a 25 megawatt reactor. It costs nearly
50 million dollars and can be transported easily by truck. Less engineering
maintenance is involved than a standard fossil fuel plant. One module provides
energy for 25 thousand homes. The generator is housed in an underground vault
for security purposes.
A digital logic gate inserted into bacteria turns a living organism into a microprocessor.
Underwater submersible vehicles study the ocean floor and allow humans to explore
mid-ocean ridges and places where the crust of the earth was created. These new vehicles
provide the means to obtain better data on earthquakes, as well as current and future potential cataclysmic events. In addition, the submersible vehicles may be used to repair oil platform infrastructure at the bottom of ocean.
The Big Idea: How Breakthroughs of the Past Shape The Future is a wonderful book
which anticipates a robust scientific future for humankind with many labor-saving
devices in the biological, chemical and engineering sciences. The presentation is
easy to read and understand. Many full color pictures are contained throughout
the work.
Credits: First Published On Blogcritics
