The most amazing technological breakthroughs 2006

The list shows again how much we have to expect in the coming year towards 2020 from technology. Here is the top 6 of most interesting stories including the links towards the full articles.

1. Neural implant empowers paralysed man
Neuroscientist John Donoghue of Brown University bring us much closer towards future interaction possibilities between men and machine. They made a remarkable progress in using brain signals to control a range of devices. They let a paralysed man from the neck down use a computer by his thoughts. The computer translated the man's thoughts of moving his arm and hand into the actual movement of external devices. He could move a computer cursor, play a video game, open e-mails, draw a crude circle, operate a television remote control, and even move a prosthetic hand and arm—using nothing other than his will. Full story.

2. Chemistry turns straw into black gold
Researchers at Rutgers University and the University of North Carolina designed a technique which makes it possible to convert wastes, coal, even any source of carbon into synthetic diesel and gas. For example they made it possible to transform two 6-carbon chains into a 2-carbon chain and a 10-carbon chain (diesel fuel). This invention will reduce many countries dependence on imported oil. Full story.

3. Nano electrode wires neurons
Researchers created a microscopic device that makes an electrical connection to an individual neuron. This can lead in the future to synthetic substitutes for damaged nerve cells. Full story.

4. Laser-emitting chips promise ultra fast computers
Do you know something faster then light? Researchers from Intel Corp. and the University of California found a way to achieve the long-sought goal of the fastest computer chips...even faster than light. With their invention they make it possible to handle a trillion bits of information per second—more than 100 times as fast as current silicon chips. So enormous computing power will make it possible to download a feature-length movie in just a few seconds. Full story.

5. Capacitors could replace batteries
Batteries will see soon a new future. because of the advances in an alternative technology. The battery of the future will be the ultra capacitor. Unlike batteries, which work through slow chemical reactions, ultra capacitors store electricity on the surface of an electrode and so they are able to be recharged instantly. Researchers led by MIT engineer Joel Schindall unveiled the ultra capacitor which can hold 20 times as much energy. Full story.

Devices based on this breakthrough could reach consumers in less than five years

6. Artificial skin for machines
Engineers at the University of Nebraska developed an electronic skin. It is cheap, flexible, and twice as sensitive as the human fingertip. This breakthrough will give robots a sense of touch in the near future.Full story

Artificial skin could help robots grab fine objects. Another use is a probe that could sense cancerous tissue inside a patient.

Some really fantastic breakthroughs from the year 2006 and they all promise a lot what we can expect in the year 2007. What did you think are the best technological breakthroughs in 2006?