Scientific Achievements
 Here's a list of 20 inventions and scientific goals I'd like to see achieved in my lifetime.
I update this page every month or so with links to the latest research into these potential world-shaking concepts.
Alternatively - try typing these into Google and find out for yourself!
If anyone finds any relevant news on anything here PLEASE let me know. elwoodherring©blueyonder.co.uk
All of these things are considered "Science Fiction" but some are actually becoming possible right now.
Last updated 5 June 2008 - lots of updated/new links. For ratings see below

 Score Description As seen in...I PredictCurrent situation
 10 Flying car or Practical electric car Back to the Future 2 2010Available but expensive!
 10 Commercial Space Travel 2001 A Space Odyssey 2010Possible but incredibly expensive
  8 Fusion Power or  Zero Point Energy Back to the Future 2 2015Fusion reactors being built
  8 Mind Control over Machinery ? 2010Several projects in development
  7 Invisibility or Cloaking device Predator / Hollow Man 2020Some interersting developments
  7 Artificial Intelligence (Turing Test) 2001 (HAL) 2020A.I. programs still fail test
  5 Organ/Limb regeneration X-Men / Heroes 2020Some interersting developments
  5 Anti-Gravity / Gravity control / Levitation Star Trek 2015Some small-scale demonstrations made
  5 Non-lethal incapacitation weapon Star Trek (of course) 2010"Phasers on Stun" would save lives
  4 Earthquake prediction ? 2010Short term predictions possible
  3 Alien Contact / Signals discovered (SETI) Contact 2050Still no sign of E.T.
  3 Teleportation / Matter Transmission Star Trek 2050TP of atoms achieved June 2004
  2 Immortality / Longevity / Anti-Ageing Highlander 2015Current average lifespan 70-75
  2 Force Field / Invisible armour Star Trek 2050Tentative first steps made
  2 Moon/Mars habitation 2001 / Total Recall 2060Theoretically possible but risky
  1 Dream or Thought Recorder Strange Days / 6th Day 2020Tentative first steps made in this area
  1 Weather Control ? 2030Impossible at present
  1 Interstellar Travel Star Trek 2060Theory only at this stage
  1  Time Travel The Time Machine 2100Theory only at this stage
  0 Instant Education Device / IQ booster The Matrix / Forbidden Planet 2100Somebody PLEASE invent one!
  0 Talking to the Dead Ghost NeverDon't be silly!



 Ratings:
10Product available / Target achieved
9Product in testing stage / Target in sight
8Advanced prototypes constructed
7Initial prototypes developed
6Advanced experimentation achieved
5Initial experiments made
4Advanced research in progress
3Continuing research underway
2Initial research started
1May be possible - theories devised
0Totally impossible (at present)

Scores (out of possible 200)
June 2004 - 69
June 2005 - 70
June 2006 - 71
June 2007 - 72
June 2008 - 85
(New items added in 2008 - limb regeneration, Moon habitation, non-lethal weapon.
Also two items have been combined - Fusion power and Zero point energy. Otherwise score would be 75)
It would appear that we are advancing slowly but surely - despite all the current anti-Science rhetoric from religious extremists.

Note that some of these ideas are linked; e.g.
A successful anti-gravity machine would be a great help in achieving cheap space flight
Harnessing zero-point energy would give us the possibility of interstellar travel
And an IQ booster or instant learning device could help us achieve everything on this list!

If anybody has any information or updates concerning these ideas
or if you disagree with my scoring then email me (elwoodherring©blueyonder.co.uk)
However, I reserve the right to remain on the side of the ardent sceptic!

(Maybe I should add to this list the invention we all want right now; A COMPUTER THAT NEVER CRASHES!!!)

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