Would you like to have a cell phone implanted in your tooth? Well, you might not choose to do so, but the technology may soon be available, according to Steve Dickens, who spoke at the November 10 meeting of the Pattaya City Expats Club. Steve is the Managing Director of Liberty Computers here in Pattaya. He spoke about exciting developments in technology – past, present and future.
Steve related how Gene Roddenberry, the creative genius behind the Star Trek franchise, which began in 1966, dreamed up several new technologies which today are reality. For example, the “communicator” used in the Star Trek series in essence is the cell phone we know today. Also, the ear piece that the Star Trek characters used for communicating wirelessly can found in today’s Bluetooth technology. As well as the data storage devices we saw in Star Trek episodes typify today’s flash drives. Further, teleportation, which was used in Star Trek to beam people from one place to another, will probably never happen in real life. However, he mentioned it has been done with a single particle – “so you never know!”
Pattaya’s resident ‘technologiste’, Liberty Computers Steve Dickens addressed PCEC on the 10th of November on what the future will look like with new technologies under development.
Steve said that some dramatic new technologies are being worked on today. A car that can fly is already in development; you should be able to buy one by 2015, Steve explained, though the first ones might be a tad expensive. When car flying machines take off, there will be lots of air traffic. He explained that control of the machines will have to be taken away from humans and given to computers; only computers will be fast and powerful enough to handle the air traffic.
Member Ian Frame advises members of the progress of the Family Tree Group, discussing the resources available to help trace your ancestors. Ian’s research has uncovered many interesting tidbits in the history of both family and others.
Will we be able to make people invisible, like they have done in Star Trek and in the Harry Potter movies? Probably not, was Steve’s opinion. But he directed the audience’s attention to a slide showing a woman dressed in green. A “see-through” effect was achieved by placing a camera behind the woman and projecting the image to the front of her body.
Steve then commented on the future for generating energy. One being Hydrogen fuel cells, which have been in development for some time; they will likely become an important source of fuel in five years time. People are also working on nuclear fusion (the combining of atoms; like what our sun does) as a fuel source. Steve predicted that this will be a reality in about 5 – 10 years.
Further, an example of clean thermal energy conversion that scientists are experimenting with is using the difference in temperature between the top of our oceans (warmer) and the water underneath (colder) to boil a liquid with a low boiling point, thus creating energy. For some of what he described to the audience, he said that they are not yet economically viable as it currently takes more energy to make the technology work than the energy the technology produces. But that will change in time, he added.
Regarding computers, the sales of Personal Computers (PCs) have been falling steadily for the last 18 months, Steve explained. For 2013, the sales of smart phones and tablets have moved ahead of the sales of PCs. In his opinion, by 2017, sales of smart phones and tablets will be way ahead.
However, Steve said, there are still things one can’t do on a tablet or smart phone. Consequently, development work on PCs is far from over. He mentioned that in a few years, computers will use liquid metal “blood” to replace wires; the liquid will also keep the metal in the computer cool. Further, PCs will become infinitely more powerful. Steve provided a few other examples of developments in computer technology that may be around the corner: (a) sensor-studded clothing for soldiers to track their movements and vital signs; (b) a disposable electrocardiogram machine the size of a Band-Aid to monitor a heart patient; and (c) contact lenses that function as computer screens.
MC Richard Silverberg presents Steve with a Certificate of Appreciation for his excellent and informative presentation.
But a cell phone implanted in your tooth? Hey, it could be a whole new product line for dentists.
Steve Dickens has lived in Thailand for over 10 years. Liberty Computers specializes in point-of-sale and security systems, but it also serves the home PC market. For more information, visit http://www.libertycomputers.asia/.
After Steve answered several questions from the audience, Master of Ceremonies Richard Silverberg brought everyone up to date on upcoming events and called on Roy Albiston to conduct the Open Forum, where questions are asked and answered about Expat living in Thailand, especially Pattaya.
Find out more about the activities of the PCEC by visiting www.pattayacityexpatsclub.com.
