Buzz
For generations, children have fantasized about possessing extraordinary abilities, thanks to the influence of comics and cartoons.
Thurston Hopkins/Picture Post/Getty ImagesMain Highlights
- Researchers are developing abilities such as wall-penetrating vision using microwave radar, gravity resistance through synthetic adhesives modeled after gecko feet, and augmented strength with exoskeleton systems like the HULC.
- While bullet-stopping smart armor remains under development, advancements in magnetorheological and shear-thickening fluids are bringing this concept closer to reality.
- Weather manipulation via cloud seeding represents the nearest achievement in environmental control, though it falls short of the comic book ideal of commanding the climate at will.
Since the beginning of time, or at least since the advent of cartoons and comic books, children have envisioned themselves with superhuman abilities. "Wonder twin powers, activate!" As they mature, the aspirations of flying, communicating with animals, or becoming invisible often diminish.
The allure of extraordinary abilities has captivated humanity for centuries. Ancient myths often depicted gods and mythical creatures with powers that distinguished them from ordinary humans. When Zeus hurled lightning bolts in anger, wasn't that a clear demonstration of superhuman capabilities?
It's in our nature to chase the most fascinating elements of folklore and fiction, striving to turn them into reality. This intersection of art and science fuels innovation. Creative thinkers dream up concepts like invisibility cloaks, and scientists bring these ideas to life through groundbreaking inventions.
If you ever wish to experience the sensation of having superpowers, you might find the current options underwhelming, depending on your expectations. For example, science has yet to unlock the secrets of time travel, teleportation, or eternal life. However, researchers are actively exploring these possibilities.
On the other hand, if you adjust your expectations slightly, you'll discover that science has already granted us some remarkable abilities. Continue reading to explore five of these incredible advancements.
5. Seeing Through Walls
The sight through his X-ray glasses is nothing short of astonishing!
Paul Gilligan/Getty Images"You’re more like a wall than a window." Recall that classic phrase? It was something you’d say to someone blocking your view of whatever you were trying to see. Thanks to advancements by several optics companies, this saying is becoming outdated.
Take Camero’s Xaver 800, for instance. This device employs microwave radar to see through walls and generate 3-D images of what lies behind them. The company claims that materials like drywall, clay brick, cinder block, and even reinforced concrete are no obstacle for the Xaver 800. However, much like Superman’s weakness to kryptonite, the device struggles with solid, unbroken metal surfaces.
When operational, the device occupies a space of approximately 33 by 33 by 6 inches (84 by 84 by 15 centimeters) and weighs around 33 pounds (15 kilograms) [source: Camero].
Other firms are also venturing into the X-ray vision market. Physical Optics Corporation, for example, has developed a portable device named LEXID, capable of detecting hidden contraband behind walls, inside vehicles, and within other containers [source: Physical Optics Corporation].
For allies, there are comparable devices such as ThruVision's T5000 people screener, which identifies concealed weapons without exposing private bodily details [source: ThruVision Systems].
These products are primarily tailored for law enforcement, military, fire and rescue, and security purposes. Imagine their utility in scenarios like hostage situations, where negotiators aim to resolve the crisis safely—a task worthy of a superhero.
Next, we’ll explore how to escape the clutches of malevolent forces.
4. Defying Gravity
Alain Robert, the real-life French Spider-Man, requires no special adhesives to climb walls. He relies solely on his bare hands.
Photo courtesy Emmanuel Aguirre /Getty ImagesWhile most of us are firmly grounded by gravity, evolution has enabled certain creatures, such as the gecko (and Spider-Man), to defy this force. To ensure their survival, these animals evolved the ability to cling effortlessly to walls and ceilings without leaving any sticky residue [source: NanoRobotics].
For years, scientists have been striving to create a synthetic adhesive that replicates the gecko's unique dry adhesion. Thanks to innovative techniques using plastic to mimic microscopic structures, this breakthrough is nearly within reach [source: Voshart].
Space exploration is likely to be the first application for these new dry adhesives. Initially, the technology is expected to aid robots in exploring outer space. However, it’s entirely possible that the same principles could eventually replace conventional adhesives we use daily [sources: Voshart, Yang]. Farewell, sticky tape. Welcome, sticky feet.
That said, don’t discard your tape just yet. The design still has room for improvement, and one of the current challenges is that the adhesive can sometimes be overly sticky, making it hard to detach once applied. This superpower remains a work in progress.
3. Superhuman Strength
Forget aspiring to be a superhero. Sometimes, all you need is assistance lifting heavy bags of rice at the grocery store. An exoskeleton, such as HULC or HAL (hybrid assistive limb) shown here, can provide that extra strength.
Koichi Kamoshida/Getty ImagesWhile the human body can adapt to extreme conditions, certain scenarios demand strength beyond our natural capabilities. Soldiers, for instance, must carry heavy equipment across challenging terrains for extended periods. To address this, scientists have developed technology to share the physical burden.
Innovations like Berkley Bionics and Lockheed Martin's Human Universal Load Carrier (HULC) exoskeletons exemplify this progress. With its titanium legs, HULC enhances the human skeleton externally, much like adamantium fortified Wolverine's skeleton internally, transforming its wearer into a formidable force.
The titanium legs are attached to a backpack-like frame containing a power unit and a compact microcomputer. One of HULC's standout features is its lack of need for joysticks or manual controls. Similar to Iron Man's suit, the device detects the operator's movements and responds seamlessly.
To reduce user strain, the design incorporates hydraulics, making strenuous activities like deep squats and heavy lifting feel effortless [source: Lockheed Martin]. Currently, its applications are military-focused, but Lockheed Martin is exploring its potential in industrial and medical fields [source: Berkeley Bionics].
2. Stopping Bullets
Even if you can't outrun a speeding bullet, you might soon have the ability to avoid one. That’s a skill worth having.
Mark Dadswell/Getty ImagesWhile surpassing the speed of a bullet on your own is improbable, imagine a device that detects an incoming projectile and alerts you. If it could also prompt you to evade danger, it would undoubtedly rank among the most impressive scientific superpowers.
In early 2009, IBM filed a patent for Bionic Body Armor designed to achieve this feat [source: Anderson]. The technology would deliver a shock to the wearer, triggering a reflexive movement away from an oncoming threat. However, IBM withdrew the patent later that same year [source: Anderson].
Don’t worry, though. Smart armor is still in development, with advancements in liquid body armor. One variant employs magnetorheological fluids (MFs), which solidify under a magnetic field, while another uses shear-thickening fluids (STFs), which harden upon impact or agitation.
As these advanced armor technologies evolve, they will undoubtedly transform the nature of warfare. Although still in development, their potential to save lives and reduce casualties is immense. This makes smart armor one of the most extraordinary superpowers imaginable.
Are you ready for the final entry?
1. Manipulating the Weather
The team from Beijing's Xiangshan Weather Modification Practice Base may not resemble traditional superheroes, but their work is nothing short of extraordinary.
China Photos/Getty Images News/Getty ImagesOne of the traits that sets humans apart from other species is our ability to alter our surroundings to suit our needs. However, certain elements, like the weather, remain beyond our direct influence—unless you’re Storm from the X-Men. Who wouldn’t want that power? Imagine conjuring a sunny day instantly or creating a snowstorm on a whim.
If we possessed Storm’s ability to manipulate weather, we could potentially address global warming. Imagine the possibilities: cooling the planet, ending droughts, and ensuring sports fans never face another rain delay.
While it falls short of Storm’s mutant powers, scientists have developed a method to influence the weather: cloud seeding.
The practice of cloud seeding originated in the United States during the 1940s. Today, it’s employed to boost rainfall, disperse fog, and reduce hail [source: NAWC]. Depending on the situation, chemicals like silver iodide, salt, or ammonium nitrate are either launched from the ground or released from aircraft [source: NAWC].
In July 2009, the Weather Modification Association confirmed that cloud seeding with silver iodide is environmentally safe and can increase precipitation by up to 30 percent in certain conditions [source: WMA]. While scientists are inching closer to superhero-like abilities, there’s still much progress to be made.
Continue reading for more fascinating links on superheroes and science fiction.
