Skytopia > Projects > Mysteria Onera - Technology of Dreams

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: Deluxe Flying Car Description: All-purpose zero-energy flying car capable of travelling into space
Conditions: 4kg in weight, speed limit of 30,000mph, and necessary safety features. Remote control allowed for automatic transport and delivery of objects op to a size of around 12 metres³. NFE compliant.
Subsumes: #Flying Car
Price: §12500

All the features of the original, but collapsible, portable (4 kilograms!), with virtually unlimited speeds (up to 30,000mph if conditions allow), and able to travel outside the Earth's atmosphere (into space!). Plus there are no fuel requirements, and obviously it goes without saying - they're free for all!

State of the art: See #Flying Car
Future prediction date: 3600 (requires energy of course)
Worst case scenario: (flying too close to the sun :-)       [Index]


: Flying Skate Board Description: A pair of discs to fly you wherever you want.
Conditions: Requires no fuel. Maximum speed is 5000mph. Capable of remotely transporting other objects too up to a size of around 8 metres³. NFE compliant.
Subsumes: #Flying Car (Partially)
Price: §13500

We've surfed on water, snow and the net, but the sky's where it's at. This clever device is basically a pair of flying 'discs' - one for each foot. It's somewhat reminiscent of the hoverboard from Back to the Future, but much more like the zipboard taken from the excellent cartoon CGI series Reboot.

The discs are computer controlled to an extent to keep you upright, but otherwise you have complete freedom to fly wherever you want. The direction and speed is determined by the angle and distance between the two discs, or possibly the angle of one (or both) of the feet. For easier and more spontaneous control, the method of movement uses very little or no inertia. Just like the flying car, safety is guaranteed by repelling the board away from any nearby objects, until the gap finishes closing, in which case you would reach a standstill (or a relative standstill if the object in question is also moving). To allow travel into space, and friction-free travel at the higher speeds, a hemispherical force field is erected around the passenger.

Yes, these are even cooler than flying cars, and everyone should have one. Benefits are similar to the flying car, but it's smaller, lighter, and more portable. Also, think of the all the new sports that would crop up!

State of the art: Impossible, or as close to impossible as you could imagine, especially the force field bit.
Future prediction date: 14000
Worst case scenario: ---       [Index]


: Grand Theory of Physics Description: A complete explanation of the forces inside the atom and the universe/s.
Conditions: A unified version is presented if it exists
Price: §15000

One of the holy grails of theoretical science. The discovery of a Grand (possibly unified) Theory to explain the precise workings of the atom and universe is not to be under estimated. All kinds of technology, including the microprocessor, came about because of the knowledge we gained from quantum mechanics. There's good reason to believe a Theory of Everything would do something similar for future technology.

And then there are the big questions. Where does gravity, magnetism and the fabric of time reside? Are there deeper principles behind quantum theory or smaller more fundamental particles than quarks and gluons? And does matter ever pop into existence from the so-called 'quantum foam'? Does the Higgs boson particle exist as predicted by physics? What's the deal with dark matter and energy?
We could discover how the universe came into being, and eventually how creatures and galaxies evolved. For the philosophers out there, we would gain valuable insight into whether 'souls' or other universes exist. Finally, we would understand the theoretical limits of technology, and find out if cold fusion was a pipe dream, and whether we could ever create monopole magnets, negative mass, exotic matter, or room temperature superconductor technology.

Combine this with an #Infinitely Fast Processor, and propel humanity into a near-instant galaxy age!

State of the art: We're still trying to explain anomalies such as the expanding universe, the missing matter, and the physics of black holes. A further challenge is to reconcile relativity and quantum mechanics into one unified theory. Superstring theory with its 11+ dimensions is a primary candidate, but much work still needs to be done. Projects such as LATOR will also help us to see with unprecedented accuracy if there was anything wrong with relativity in the first place.
Future prediction date: 4000
Worst case scenario: Finding out that we're nothing more than deterministic robots       [Index]


: Music Analyzer Description: Formula to obtain the exact quality of a piece of music as a whole or the quality of its various subcomponents.
Conditions: Values given for rhythm, harmony, melody and timbre.
Price: §18000

At last! Tired of the music they play on the radio, TV or at the shopping mall? Unlike the #Grand Theory of Music, the formula can't actually create music. (Actually it can, but then you'd need the infinitely fast processor to wade through all the possible combinations in a waveform of music). But it can do the next best thing - rate it. Such an important formula will also show how subtle and complex music is. In truth, the formula to rate music takes into account thousands of variables, and is roughly 25,839 times more complex than the #Grand Theory of Physics.

Such a formula would help dig out the musical gems which are buried under the immense of rubble. To a degree, it would help to find out how popular a song or melody may be, though there isn't always a consistent correlation. Finally, we would better understand the constituents of decent music - a factor which may well help to improve our own compositions.

State of the art: It's going to be difficult to solve this because of the apparent differences that people have towards music. We can start out by looking for common denominators and see if they appear in other pieces of music. The truth is out there!
Future prediction date: 3700 (semi-solved), 37000 (nearly solved)
Worst case scenario: Some people may get upset to find out that their music isn't as good as they thought it was.       [Index]


: Universe Viewer Description: View and fly through any part of the universe from any position, at any angle, and at any age.
Conditions: ---
Subsumes: #Space Travel For Free (partially), #Earth Viewer
Price: §22000

For the ultimate in historical and scientific discovery, this option will be hard to beat. See how planets, stars and galaxies are born and die. Watch not just human life, but possible alien life adapt and evolve. Observe geological changes on Earth, Jupiter and Skytopia 120,912,004,936,843,730,000,000 kilometres away. Travel on the back of a comet or asteroid. Watch a supernova explode in all its glory. See what it's like to live near Zydonia Beach.

But most exciting of all, witness the birth of the universe - the event that probably kickstarted it all around 13 billion years ago - the Big Bang!

State of the art: Nothing close to anything like it. See #Earth Viewer
Future prediction date: 67000
Worst case scenario: ---       [Index]


: Infinite Water Supply Description: An infinite supple of water
Conditions: Variable temperature
Price: §25000

What's really special about this device is how it can take water from 'thin air' at will. At a stroke, it'd solve the problem of drought and lack of drinking water in poorer countries (not that developed countries are immune). But it would also serve us well in the far future when Earth's supply runs dry (once it evaporates all into space). By then of course, we may have left our home planet and begun to colonize space and other planets, making this gift a particularly wise long term choice.

The Infinite Water Supply is a necessary part of the Terraformation plan, along with #PAF and #UTC.

State of the art: Creating water out of thin air? Virtually impossible, unless we master the secrets of manipulating not just the atomic world, but the sub-atomic world.
Future prediction date: 5200 (converting from one state of matter to another)
Worst case scenario: A second great flood!       [Index]


: Grand Theory of Visual Art Description: A universal algorithm to create or rate a two dimensional array of colored, luminous light.
Conditions: Excludes animation, and (of course) music.
Price: §28000

"Beethoven and Shakespeare are beloved in Japan, Japanese prints are adored by Brazilians, Greek tragedy is performed worldwide, while, much to the regret of many local movie industries, Hollywood films have wide cross-cultural appeal." - Aesthetic Universals (by Denis Dutton).

What we have here is one of the ultimate holy grails of knowledge - a formula for producing great visual sights. Does that sound boring to you? Because it's more profound than you can possibly imagine. With such a formula (and the necessary computing power), we can begin redesigning the world around us into a wonderful utopia. Granted, there will still be problems to solve from a functional and structural aspect, but the formula - capable of deriving virtually unlimited variety and beauty - could guide us in everything we do.

State of the art: We are still far away from discovering concrete mathematical principles and algorithms to generate decent art, and the postmodern age we're living in doesn't exactly help us progress towards finding (or even acknowledging) them. The best we can do for now is draw up some vague principles, such as use of symmetry, proportions, colour etc.
Future prediction date: 20000 (nearly solved), 5000 (half solved)
Worst case scenario: May put artists and designers out of business (like as if money would be an issue at such a late age)       [Index]


: Programmable Repelling Superatom Description: Special kind of atom to repel other Superatoms, or normal matter.
Conditions: Subject to gravity. Spherical and planar (1-way|2-way) force fields only. Any size possible. Maximum strength of 10^10 Gs each atom. Once created, they can not change force type or strength.
Price: §34000

Real world magnets are very limited really. For a start, they only act on certain metals (such as steel), and always contain two 'poles' - one which attracts, and the other which repels. And they only do so at a force squarely proportional to the distance. They also aren't very strong unless you use (powered) electromagnets.

Enter the realm of Programmable Repelling Superatoms (PRSs). Each type of 'atom' is weightless, can be created at will, and can have a type of repelling force (spherical or planar) initially 'programmed' into it.

Applications include zero-energy hovercraft which float just above the road by using a planar 1-way PRS. Cleaning stuff would be much easier, as all materials would be coated with a thin layer of PRSs to repel dust and dirt a few nanometres above the surface. Sky buildings could rest miles high by using planar and/or spherical force fields on the ground. Thousands of new sports could be invented. As would elaborate new micro-structures and materials, such as super-light materials thousands of times lighter than #aerogel.

State of the art: The nearest we have to this technology? Well, the laws of physics allow for the monopole magnet, but none have ever been seen. They would have some of the advantages that PRSs have, but at least one important limitation is how the forces would only apply to certain metals, instead of all materials.
Future prediction date: ∞
Worst case scenario: Playing with the laws of physics is never going to be completely safe       [Index]


: The Diamond Age Description: Unlimited supply of diamond, aerogel (silica, organic and carbon), silver, gold, buckminster-fullerene, and composites.
Conditions:
Price: §39000

Imagine a world where chairs, desks, buildings, cups, and computer chips, are made entirely out of diamond! Almost nothing* beats the hardness of the stuff, and the strength is almost unparalleled if used as part of a composite to make diamond fibre. Diamond is also the best conductor of heat - perfect for transferring heat away from today's generation of scorching CPUs.

And then there's Aerogel - as used by NASA for their Mars Pathfinder. One thousand times less dense than glass (0.003-0.35 g/cm³) makes it the lightest substance going (down to 1 mg/cc), and yet it can withstand temperatures up to 1200° C (cast iron standard!), and supports over 2000 times its own weight. If that's not enough, it's also the best sound, electric and thermal insulator of any material (1 cm of aerogel = 10 cms of glass!). Plus it looks really weird and cool thanks to its super low index of refraction (around 1.03 - another record (water & ice are over 1.3)). In fact, aerogel holds 15 entries in the Guinness Book of Records!

That's just two materials. Into the bargain, we chuck silver (there's a worldwide shortage, and it's needed for nearly all household electronics, due to its supreme electricity conducting properties), gold (never tarnishes or corrodes, most ductile and malleable metal). The ability to produce composites means you can (for example) combine diamond and Teflon to produce a super-strong surface that nothing sticks to.
* Finally, you also get fullerene in all its various incarnations:- including buckyballs, buckytubes, and ultrahard fullerite - which happens to be even harder and stronger than diamond, but unfortunately, there may be toxicity issues.....maybe.....hang on (!?)).

State of the art: At the moment, all the above materials are comparatively rare and expensive to produce, though prices should drop over time. Silica Aerogel for instance costs around $200 per cubed inch, though try eBay (I got a cubed inch's worth for $40!) or here), and gold costs $20,000 per kilogram. Artificially produced diamond can only be made at a rate of 100-300 micrometers per hour (half inch thick).
Future prediction date: 2530
Worst case scenario: ---       [Index]


: Double Lifetime Description: All parts of the aging process decrease to one half speed. Someone who's lived 150 years looks 75. Someone's who lived 30 years looks 15.
Conditions: ---
Price: §45000

This option may not be totally desirable for many due to population explosion. However that won't necessarily be a problem, especially if we intend to colonize space.

If everyone lived to the age 2150, think of the scientific and spiritual progress we would all make. Life immediately becomes more valuable, with more incentive and time to do stuff. Instead of just pursuing one major subject of interest, people could learn two or three. Science would advance quicker, as we would hold on to important knowledge for longer.

State of the art: We already happen to be living twice as long on average as we were in 1850. The rate is accelerating so, so amazingly, it might not be too far fetched to consider the possibility that we'll live twice as long again in another 50-100 years time, especially with the increasing time and money spent on research.
Future prediction date: 2250
Worst case scenario: Population explosion       [Index]

Next Page

Anchor shortcuts:

: §200 - Photon Camcorder
: §240 - Sound Wallpaper
: §300 - Century's Information Online
: §350 - Solid-State Disks
: §380 - Free Bandwidth Anywhere
: §400 - Flu and Common Cold Cure
: §400 - Pseudo 3D Screen
: §450 - Death Of Spam
: §500 - Noise Blocker
: §600 - Forever Lightbulb
: §700 - 20,000Mb_Bandwidth
: §720 - Featherweight Laptops
: §850 - Missile Train
: §1,000 - Flat Screen
: §1,150 - Flying Car
: §1,250 - Zelphon Light Panels
: §1,450 - Space Travel For Free
: §1,600 - Light Saber
: §1,900 - Sight and Sound Restorer
: §2,000 - Infinite Data Memory
: §2,200 - 10,000x Processor Speedy Uppy
: §2,600 - Internet Omega
: §2,800 - Entire History's Information Online
: §3,200 - Quantum_Computing
: §3,500 - Disintegrator Disc
: §4,000 - The Sky Train
: §4,300 - Earth Viewer
: §4,600 - Age of the Deltascreen
: §5,200 - Terraformation Of Mars
: §5,700 - Universal Temperature Controller
: §6,900 - Pure Air Forever
: §7,500 - 100,000,000x CPU Speed Up
: §8,100 - Anti-sleep Pill
: §8,300 - Infinitely Powerful Telescope
: §8,700 - Gravity Blocker
: §9,100 - Xeton Microscope
: §9,900 - Omega 3D Holocube
: §12,500 - Deluxe Flying Car
: §13,500 - Flying Skate Board
: §15,000 - Grand Theory of Physics
: §18,000 - Music Analyzer
: §22,000 - Universe Viewer
: §25,000 - Infinite Water Supply
: §28,000 - Grand Theory of Visual Art
: §34,000 - Programmable Repelling Superatom
: §39,000 - The Diamond Age
: §45,000 - Double Lifetime
: §52,000 - Teleportation
: §60,000 - Dawn of Cold Fusion
: §66,000 - Grand Theory Of Music
: §81,000 - Material Duplication
: §90,000 - Infinitely Fast Processor
: §107,000 - Quadruple Lifetime
: §115,000 - Omega Battery
: §126,000 - Atomic Synthesizer
: §145,000 - The U-Atom
: §260,000 - Indefinite Life Span





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