5. Space Tourism

What is it?

It’s all in the name. The idea is for ordinary people (as opposed to astronauts) to be able to take a trip into space for a reasonable price. We will all be able to experience zero gravity without having to take a trip on the “vomit express” - as used on Apollo 13’s zero gravity scenes.
For now, trips will only be an option for the super-rich, or celebrities such as William Shatner (who deserves to go more than Shatner?). That is because trips cost $200,000 and deposits start from $20,000 (Virgin Galactic prices). I’m not great with heights, and personally would only consider it if I had just a year left to live.

Virgin Galactic - more couples arguing for the window seat

Capabilities

Zero gravity ride (eat that Disney World)
Takes the average Joe 50,000ft into space
Travel three times the speed of sound
Get away from it all

When?

Virgin Galactic plan to test next year and will probably launch their first trip in three years time. Don’t expect to be able to book yourself on one of these trips for another ten years however.

Geek-O-Factor 7/10

4. The Grid

What is it?

“The Grid” is a huge set of dedicated routers, networks and fibre optic cables stretching out around the world that will soon replace the current internet. It is capable of transferring data to computers ten thousand times faster than current broadband connections. Most importantly it can harness the power of all the computers connected to it. In theory, once we are all linked up to The Grid, we will have created the most powerful supercomputer ever imaginable.

The Grid - Likely to enslave humanity and use us as batteries to power further calculations

Capabilities

Downloads a full film a continent away in 1-5 seconds
Will be able to support holographic imagery (goodbye video phones)
Work out complex scientific calculations for treating diseases in a matter of days that would otherwise take years to solve.
Online gaming will support thousands of people on the same server
Each continent will have one huge hard drive where all the worlds data will be stored. Anything can be downloaded from it instantly when we need it, meaning no need for hard drives on our computers.

Release date

This year in universities and educational facilites. Expect it to be available to homes in most main cities in five years time.

Geek-O-Factor 8/10

3. NanoSolar Cell Technology

What is it?

Well its solar power, its absolutely tiny , and it will eventually be the successor to fossil fuels and save us all from global warming.

Nanorod crystals, which are too small for the naked eye to see, are placed into very thin, highly conductive polymers. These sheets, which are 200 nanometres thick, are placed between electrodes. When sunlight strikes the nano solar cells electricity is generated. That charge is then taken away by the electrodes, to a “battery” which stores the energy till needed. Solar cells have been around for a while, but only now are they becoming a true alternative.

Nanosolar power - No more sunbathing for these bears! - Thats a good thing

Capabilities

Clean, reliable energy
Renewable
Highly efficient
Sheet thin and flexible
Cost effective due to how thin the cells are (few materials needed)
Tandem and triple layer cells can be used for extra efficiency
Can be styled to “blend” in with surroundings
Will save the world from global warming (possibly)

Release date

Out now, but efficiency levels are still being worked on. Expect it to have taken a healthy chunk out of fossil fuels consumed in 6-10 years. .

Geek-O-Factor 6/10

2. Open source programming

What is it?

If something is open source, it means that the coding of the program is available to anyone who would like to see it or use/change it for free. For example, the Firefox web browser is open source, allowing a whole community to develop it and add-ons for it. It itself is based on the Mozilla/Netscape open source browser. With open source programming the community get to implement exactly what it wants. Many companies are starting to release software as open source.

Firefox - One of the head programmers. Possibly.

Capabilities

Creates product loyalty and a community
Low Marketing costs.
Potential for flexible technology and quick innovation
Very reliable as tested by thousands of people
Releasing free software/open source does not require the company to bow down to commercial pressure that often degrade the quality of the software

When?

Much open source software available now, set to become huge in the next few years.

Geek-O-Factor 10/10

1. Molecular Manufacturing

What is it?

Think of StarTrek and then think of the food dispensers (replicators) they use. They program in what food they would like and a machine creates it out of thin air. These machines have stopped famine and wars in StarTrek world and are on there way to ours.
Molecular manufacturing is the art of building up objects atom by atom. As every object in the world is made up of atoms it means any object can be created from “nothing”. Machines will be able to do this quickly, cheaply and perfectly accurately. These machines could even replicate themselves indefinitely if programmed to. Molecular machines are being built now and the whole industry will likely take off within ten years. As long as a terrorist doesn’t get hold of one, this technology will change the world for the better.

Molecular Manufacturing - Its not quite here yet

Capabilities

No more famines
Shop on the internet, buy something, your computers MMD (Molecular Manufacturing Device) will create it for you as soon as you purchase.
Free drugs (prescription drugs) - end of diseases such as malaria
Infinite possibilities

When

Around ten years time. A lot, lot longer till released in homes.

Geek-O-Factor 10/10