Christian Marnon: E-Paper

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Things to Watch Photo Credit: Thomas Tolkien

IN

2013

Higgs Boson a.k.a “THE God Particle”

Simulated decay pattern of the Higgs Boson molecule.

Photo Credit: Robert6g91

This March we saw the discovery of the Higgs Boson, commonly referred to as the “God Particle”. Discovery, however, is not an end in itself. There is still much to be learned about the Higgs Boson, which is thought to be the particle from which all matter is derived, hence the stentorian implications.

ALGAE-BASED BIOFUEL

2013 is expected to be the year of extended marketablility of algaebased biofuel. San Francisco has been ahead of the curve with algaie-derived fuel and has been selling it since January of last year.

Algae is considered to be a great supplement to petroleum because it utilizes space efficiently, grows faster than petroleum, and it can be better converted to oil than conventional crops.

Photo Credit: Antonio Guillén

Photo Credit: Carlos Smith

Electronic Brain Impants

2012 and early 2013 saw experimentation with brain microchip implants. These microchips, roughly the size of an Advil, are primarily tested on parapalegics. Parapalegics are effected by damage to the motor cortex, where the microchips are planted. With these chips, patients have been able to operate robotic arms and rudimentary computer programs through artifical electron stimulation supplemented by said microchips.

Photo Credit: NASA, Hubble Space Telescope

LIFE ON

MARS While the Hollywood-contrived archetype of laser-pistol toting, oversized cortex Martian may not exist, scientists are right on the threshold of discovering that Mars is capable of hosting organic life.

With the groundbreaking discovery of sustainable aqueous conditions on Mars by rover “Curiostiy” during it’s last expedition, it’s looking likey that scientists may have some definite answers this year.

Adam Steltzner of Mars Science Laboratory (MSL) , holds a model of the MSL(Curiosity) spacecraft during a briefing Photo Credit: (NASA/Bill Ingalls)