High-Tech Science

When taking a road trip today, some sort of GPS device is essential. It may be built into the car's dashboard, or perhaps it's just an app on a smartphone. But GPS is used for more than just finding your way! Readers will be fascinated by its beginnings as a military system and its many modern uses, such as catching criminals, predicting earthquakes, and creating maps. Colorful photographs illustrate real-life examples of GPS technology, military and civilian, and informative text clearly explains the science and math concepts behind the satellites and receivers used all over the world.

There were communications networks long before the advent of social networking sites like Facebook and Twitter. In fact, modern computer networks-whether on a website, college campus, or just in your home-stem from technology used to create the first telephone networks, and later, television networks. Readers will appreciate the history behind communications networking while learning how today's networks connect people. Colorful photographs accompany accessible information about LANs, WiFi, and more, and interesting sidebars further explain the networks we rely on every day.

It seems simple: tap the screen of your smartphone to open an app, or swipe your finger across the screen to make the smartphone do something else. However, that touch screen has been years in the making and is a complex piece of what is now essential technology. Readers will find out how layers of glass, metal, and LEDs work together to make a touch screen work. Full-color images augment explanations of different kinds of touch screens. Readers will be captivated by the many uses touch screens have in the world today, from controlling machinery in a factory to helping surgeons perform medical procedures.

Social networks are part of daily life, but there seems to be no end to the number of comments and pictures one can post. Internet e-mail providers, such as Gmail and Hotmail, are similarly common and seem to have infinite storage space. Cloud computing is part of the reason. Readers will learn the history of the Internet and computer servers leading to the modern technology of the cloud. Colorful photographs accompany clear explanations of many important tech terms and ideas, including IP addresses, ISPs, and more.

In the past, secretaries and assistants were in charge of taking dictation from their bosses to write letters, memos, and other documents. With the advent of speech recognition software, this practice is hardly done anymore! Including interesting history and development of the latest voice technology, the main content will introduce readers to this fascinating software that allows jet pilots to speak to their planes, smartphone users to make a hands-free call, and automated phone systems to give bank account information. Colorful photographs will draw readers into hi-tech information while opening their imaginations to future possibilities.

With nanotechnology, engineers use atoms to change the world. From faster computers to smart homes, scientists are using nanotechnology to improve our lives. Discover the big possibilities for the future of this science of the small.

Humans have imagined creating robots for thousands of years. Learn the history of robotics and how modern robots deliver products, explore space, and grow food. Then look into the future of robots on Earth and beyond.

Forensic science helps to determine the cause of somebody's death and to catch people who have committed a crime. Learn about the history of forensics, the latest tools and techniques forensic scientists use, and more.

Cryobiology helps treat cancer, breed animals, and preserve living tissue for surgery. See how studying the coldest places on Earth has led to amazing technological discoveries. Then explore the possibilities for the future of cryobiology.

Drones are commonly used by the military, scientists, and more. Discover the beginning of drones, how and why people use drones today, and where the future of drones could be headed.

The science of bionics helps extend and save lives. Explore how people get inspired by animals and plants to improve human lives. Then learn about the technology used in modern bionics and its future.

Even though computer wireless networks haven't been around for very long, the basic technology used to create them is more than 100 years old. WiFi uses radio waves to send and receive data and connect smartphones, tablets, and computers to the Internet. Today, almost everywhere you go has WiFi, including schools, coffee shops, and the library. The inner workings of this ubiquitous technology will fascinate readers, who probably use it every day. Accompanied by full-color photos, the main content will introduce innovators like Nikola Tesla and other electronics history, as well as the future possibilities of wireless connection.