Cutting-Edge Technology (Gareth Stevens Publishing)

Maglev trains sound like the stuff of science fiction, but it's yet another scientific marvel that engineers have made a reality. These superfast trains float above their rails, darting from place to place at remarkable speeds. This book explores how maglev trains work, the science behind the magnets at work, and the history of maglev technology. From train technology first developed in Germany to the fastest maglev trains in the world, readers will love learning about this rapidly developing mode of transportation.

Light is a powerful thing. Light from the sun gives humans life and can be used in a variety of ways using a focused beam of light called a laser. From DVD players to laser pointers, there are many different kinds of lasers. Even fiber optics communication and cutting devices use laser technology to produce great things. This book explores the possibilities of light, bringing amazing facts about lasers to the eyes of enthusiastic readers interested in this cutting-edge technology.

Genetically Modified Organisms can be difficult to understand. These laboratory-modified plants and animals are a controversial part of the agricultural industry-and a person's diet. This book explores the pros and cons of these modified crops, such as corn, rice, and soybeans. While exploring what changes scientists make to these plants and how these changes impact their consumption, it also studies the potential risks of altering natural genetic material and how consuming GMOs impacts humans. As future development of GMOs such as corn and salmon progresses, governments and their citizens face difficult decisions about whether GMOs should enter the food supply, and about the safety of these incredible technological developments.

Is it a bird, a plane, or maybe even a drone flying overhead? This amazing book tackles the history of drone technology and where future development will take these exciting aircraft. Known mostly for its use in the military as surveillance equipment or even in combat, these pilotless flying machines are now used all over the world by ordinary people who love remote controlled vehicles. Today, drones of all shapes and sizes can achieve amazing things, even if it's just taking photos or some video in someone's backyard. This book investigates the complicated role drone technology plays in our modern lives, and what future development will mean for our privacy and safety. M. G. Paregian -- "Another fascinating and exciting book from Gareth Stevens Publishing … This is a fine and thorough introduction to this modern technology that has an enviable future".

Every day, robots become a bigger part of our lives. From the robots vacuuming our homes to self-scanning machines at the supermarket, robots do jobs faster than humans and often with fewer mistakes. This book takes a look at the amazing developments in robotic technology, from the early days of robots to the varied landscape of robotics we see today. Readers will learn the differences between robots being developed to look just like humans and the complex thinking machines designed to play chess or build cars, and explore the potential future robots have to change the world.

With a bit of programming and some high-tech science, 3-D printers can use a wide variety of materials such as plastic or wood to create an infinite amount of different creations. This book explores the science behind this incredible technology, including the history of 3-D printing and what scientists hope to achieve with these unique tools. Whether used for art, medicine, or just to make something cool at home, 3-D printing is poised to have a remarkable impact on our lives, and this book chronicles the technology's journey from concept to reality. M. G. Paregian -- "Printing in 3 dimensions! The possibilities are without limit … There are full-color illustrations to explain the process and the eventual creation of 3-dimensional items. This book in full-color is an ideal introduction to this new process".