Quantum Computing

There's a pretty good quantum computing 101 on this bbc website
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/technology/7085019.stm
The Janus computer operates on quantum principles. Its liquid state allows quantum behaviour to operate in a controlled way.
Picture courtesy of BBC website

Science Saved My Soul.

The book contains technologies that people are working on around the world right now. I've just pushed their possibilities forward. The same goes for the climate, society and politics of Alister's world. They are all within reach. Some frighteningly so. This video captures the essence of the story; that science will continue to increasingly permeate our lives, until it touches our very soul.
 

The Rise of the UK Private Security Companies

The BBC News website has an excellent article on the success and profitability of Private Security Companies, 
Read about how these private security companies made millions from the 2003 and 2004 Iraq wars by providing convoy escorts, armed security personnel, training for Iraqi security services.
These are the template for Credence Security Services in 'The Cloud Connection'.


http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-11521579

nanoscale computing

This is a very faint PDF file but if you max it out on your screen it's very interesting reading.
The future may be in here somewhere!

http://mkoskim.drivehq.com/Gradu/MTMaKo.pdf

The NLOS Cannon

This is the Non Line of Sight (NLOS) Cannon used to defend Area 51 Against the Salvationist Assault

BBC News - Neurons to inspire future computers

BBC News - Neurons to inspire future computers

The nanoparticles inside Alistair are modelled on the neurons in the human brain.

And here's the image from the BBC Technology website

 

M110

Discovery Channel's 'Future Weapons' episode of the M110 (M one ten) Accurate, semi-automatic, 7.26mm bullets,  suppressor, long range thermal optical sight.

As used by Phil in 'Alistair:Connected' and Cal in 'Lightening Seed'.

Rise of the nanomachines?

Are Nanofoods Sustainable?
"According to New Scientist, several researchers are attempting to alter foods at the nanoscale level, changing items' teeny tiny molecular structures to enhance certain properties."

Nanoscience is rapidly expanding in the fields of technology and biology.
Similar advances are being made in Genetic engineering.
It won't be long before scientists begin to explore the development of nanotechnologies built around or merged with synthetic DNA to produce nano-particles that respond to light and heat and perhaps even generate their own energy through transforming material around them.


Photo Credit: 123dan321 via stock.xchng

Sony ahead in the race for the flexible notepad computer

In the book, Stuart uses an iPage, a flexible version of today's iPad.
Well it seems Sony are in the lead to produce it. They have the roll-able display sorted, all they need to do now is add a layer of processing and the fold up computer will be a reality.
The final device will have four very thin layers.
Display
Processing
touch sensitivity
firming lattice.