Science Fiction to Science Fact

Solar sails use the sun's energy to fly spacecraft, or "flight by light." It sounds like something out of a science fiction novel. In fact, it is, first being mentioned in Jules Verne's From Earth to the Moon in 1865. It's been used as a way for characters to travel through space in many other books and movies, including Tron in 1985. Today, solar sails are a reality, and readers learn how their technology works as well as how successful trials with solar sail apparatuses have been. Could light energy be the best way to move through space in the future? Readers find out for themselves.

Whether it's hyper drive in Star Wars or warp speed in Star Trek, most science-fiction lovers know that in order to travel anywhere in space in a timely manner, you've got to go faster than the speed of light. Much of that idea isn't possible, but space scientists have found many ways to speed up human space travel. Through easily understandable explanations and examples of real, cutting-edge technology, this book's main content guides readers from the fantasy of science fiction to the incredible reality of today's science fact.

Imagine if scientists had a tool that could make food or a chair seemingly out of thin air. Star Trek fans might recognize this piece of technology as "replicator," a concept that was also used in other science fiction stories. Readers learn that similar technology does exist, and it could eventually be used just like Star Trek replicators. Including STEM content as well as connections to popular culture, each chapter introduces readers to the latest in replicating technology, from 3D printers to lasers, through accessible language and explanations of this fascinating technology.

From Harry Potter to King Arthur, stories about invisibility cloaks have been around for hundreds or possibly thousands of years. It seems mere fantasy that something like that could exist, but today there are several different kinds of technology that could be used to make someone appear invisible, or at least very inconspicuous. Through direct explanations, this book covers the history of invisibility cloak stories and connects some of the coolest recent technology to these tales. Covering both STEM and literature components, this book will enchant sci-fi lovers and scientists alike.

Cyborgs, heroes with missing hands, and prosthetics that allow sight in the blind are just some of the unbelievable plot points in science fiction that began years ago. Today, much of this technology exists. Those without legs can be fitted with bionic limbs so well made they can run marathons. Readers learn the history of bionic limbs in science fiction and popular culture and connect it to the real, amazing science of today. Full of interesting STEM content, each chapter engages readers with the ideas behind, execution, and future of this technology.

The first time the term "tractor beam" was used was in 1931. Since then, tractor beams have been used in many science fiction books, movies, and TV shows to draw in spacecraft, people, and objects in space. This science fiction technology has become science fact. In 2015, scientists used sound waves to move tiny objects. Through reading about this and other modern technology, readers are engaged with incredible STEM information as well as their imaginations as they also learn the connections between this technology and popular science fiction.