With how far we’ve come in such a short time, it’s no surprise that 2021 has seen some of the most incredible breakthroughs in technology thus far. The few mentioned below represent small beginnings to what could be life-changing inventions in the years to come.
Messenger RNA Vaccines
While this technology in the medical world began some 20 years ago, it wasn’t until the COVID-19 pandemic that it was used to create a vaccine. The most effective vaccines against the coronavirus are, in fact, based on messenger RNA.
Approved in the United States in December of 2020, this brings forward the possibility of using vaccines to fight against various other diseases ravaging humanity for years, including sickle-cell disease, HIV, and malaria. Even if the COVID-19 virus mutates and develops an immunity to this vaccine, mRNA vaccines, specifically, can be quickly and easily modified accordingly.
Lithium-Metal Batteries
With the rise of electric vehicles comes the increase in demand for modifications to simplify existing technologies. Electric cars can be costly to produce. On top of that, they are very limited in terms of use, with drivers only traveling so many miles before having to stop and recharge. However, this is already being improved upon.
QuantamScape, a Silicon Valley startup, is working on a lithium-metal battery that could boost the driving range of an electric car by up to 80%, with a much faster recharge as well. With a general hesitation towards electric cars amongst the public today, technologies like this could help modernize these vehicles and make them more attractive.
Green Hydrogen
Experts have been searching for a fossil fuel alternative for decades, with hydrogen always being at the forefront of these ideas. However, most forms of hydrogen come from natural gas, meaning a messy and energy-intensive process.
Luckily, wind and solar energy costs have dropped, making hydrogen much cheaper and easier to harness. All it takes now is combining water and electricity to form this element. This can open countless doors in the fight against climate change.