WAVE OF THE FUTURE

Engineers and scientists are working on some pretty amazing things. There are a lot of ideas out there, and whether they will—or should—actually work remains to be seen. Here is a look at some ideas engineers are helping to bring to life.

Global warming is stopped via cloud brightening

Putting out forest fires with sound

Internet for everyone via low orbit satellites that beam back a wireless signal for all

Your own 24/7 robo assistant that can anticipate your needs, with a personality you can create (Maybe just like your Mom)

Your brainwaves = your computer password

Perfect headphones that calibrate according to the way you hear sounds

Insect cuisine—a new old idea

Nanobots—think very very small—coursing through your veins fighting viruses, and making repairs

Air pollution clean-up: nano particles remove CO2 from the air and turn it into useful chemicals

Living to 120 years old