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The Next Big Thing: Innovations for a Better, Smarter, Stronger Tomorrow

by Rob Marciano

A field guide to emerging technologies

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AlbakiReads Editorial

A field guide to emerging technologies

Rob Marciano’s book surveys innovations across four areas—energy, electricity, infrastructure and information—pairing reported visits and interviews with explanations of the science. Examples include a nuclear fusion reactor, a one-person electric aircraft, a timber skyscraper and an encounter with the android SOPHIA. Physicist James Trefil adds context on the underlying science and brings in related developments such as solid-state batteries, quantum computers, 3-D-printed homes and robots. Photo-rich visuals help organize this look at technologies presented as possible parts of the future, while the four-part structure gives the subject a clear, broad scope.

Good fit for readers who enjoy

  • Adults interested in inventions and emerging technology
  • Readers who enjoy science reporting combined with visual explanations
  • Futurists curious about energy, infrastructure, AI and related innovations

Themes

Emerging technologyEnergy and sustainabilityArtificial intelligenceFuture infrastructureScience communication

Based on publisher information and book metadata.

Book overview

Experience the world's most promising technological innovations and the science behind them in this entertaining photo-rich book.

For futurists and sci-tech enthusiasts, every page reveals advances powering our future, with on-site interviews, deep explainers, and helpful visuals.


What will our future look like?

In The Next Big Thing, meteorologist and science reporter Rob Marciano invites readers to take a journey through the innovations that will change our lives for the better in four key realms of science:

  • Energy - How will we power the planet? Marciano ventures inside a nuclear fusion reactor to learn about sustainable, near-infinite energy.
  • Electricity - Marciano goes airborne in an electric one-person aircraft--could be tomorrow's Uber!
  • Infrastructure - Can we build cleaner cities? Marciano visits Ascent, a timber skyscraper in Milwaukee.
  • Information - Is AI friend or foe? Marciano meets android SOPHIA and asks her that question.

Complementing Marciano's reporting, physicist James Trefil unpacks the science behind each innovation and highlights other promising developments: solid-state batteries, quantum computers, 3-D printed homes, and robots.

By the end of this book, you won't just hope for a better future. You'll believe in it--by understanding the bold science and technology making it happen.
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