Emerging Technologies

Holographic data storage:

Holographic data storage is a type of fourth gen optical data storage that works
by using a laser beam which is split into two beams using a beam splitter, one of
these is a reference beam, meaning it acts as a reference signal , and the other is
a data carrying beam, also known as the signal beam, this signal beam passes
through a spatial light modulator which is a device that filters or lets in a certain
amount of light, this device is used to let in certain parts of the signal which
correspond to binary values(0s and 1s). After this the reference beam is reflected
with a small mirror towards the data carrying beam so they can intersect, when
they intersect a 3D shape is created and captured for storage on a circular storage
medium similar to CDs.
Advantage:
There aren’t many advantages to holographic data storage currently, but the
main advantage is that this type of data storage is robust and reliable, so it can be
kept for a long time without being ruined or corrupted.
Disadvantage:
This type of storage is currently expensive in comparison with other types of data
storage at the moment.

Holographic imaging:
A holographic image, or hologram, is a 3D projection which can be seen without
using technology like 3D glasses or special cameras. Holographic imaging has
many uses, some of these are, in the healthcare industry it can be used in
different types of imaging like X rays, MRIs and CAT scans to make the image
clearer and more detailed, and to make even the smallest detail visible, another
use is in security for credit cards and currencies, this is done by integrating a
hologram on the card or currency which provides information like a serial
number, this prevents frauds from being made because it is very hard and almost
impossible to replicate this hologram.
Quantum cryptography:
Quantum cryptography is a type of encryption method which uses the principles
of area of physics called quantum mechanics to encrypt data. In normal
encryption mathematical algorithms are used to encrypt the data, these
algorithmic encryptions are safe, however, they can be broken, so quantum
cryptography was introduced to increase security. Quantum cryptography works
by uses a series of photons to transmit data from one location to another over a
fiber optic cable, these photons are unreadable without the correct technology
like a quantum computer, and they are also hard to intercept even if someone
were to have the right technology because they would have to decrypt one
photon at a time.
Advantages:
Very secure way of transmitting data which guarantees no one can decrypt it
except the receiver.
Disadvantages:
Requires expensive technology which is not readily available to anyone, and it
currently covers small distances only.

Wearable computing:
Wearable computing is when a user uses a computer powered device which is
intended to be worn. An example of this is smartwatches which allow the use of
the basic features of a mobile phone like taking pictures, calling and even playing
small non-demanding games, these smartwatches also contain fitness trackers
which do things like calculate calories burnt or steps walked, however these
watches are expensive so people use less expensive wearable devices called
fitness devices, these only have the fitness features of the smart watch however
they are way less expensive than smartwatches. Another example of wearable
computing is smart glasses like the google glasses which were released a few
years ago, these glasses have features like a GPS which will guide you to the
location you need to go, and they could have features like a camera which allow
you to record your day easily, however, like smartwatches these can be
expensive.
QR codes:
The QR code is a two-dimensional barcode with a larger storage capacity than the
typical barcode, it can be scanned using a QR scanner or a smartphone with built-
in camera that has an integrated QR reading software, the main advantage over
normal barcodes other than the larger capacity it can store is they can be scanned
using a screen or normal camera with QR reading software while a normal one-
dimensional barcode requires a laser to be read. The way the QR code works is
when it is scanned the software converts the dots within the QR code into
numbers and strings of characters.

Robotics:
Robotics is the use of robots, which are basically machines that have a built-in
computer that gives it instructions according to the input by humans, to perform
tasks for humans. There are many reasons to use robots instead of humans, some
of these reasons are, robots can perform dangerous tasks instead of humans so
they don’t risk their lives, also, these robots can be used to perform boring and
repetitive tasks that human’s wouldn’t want to do. Although robots are helpful,
they can also do harm. Robots have been replacing humans in many jobs,
specifically, factory work like manufacturing cars, this can cause many people to
lose their jobs, also, many humans fear robots can become dominant over
humans. One interesting aspect of robotics is the use of artificial intelligence, this
can allow robots to make their own decisions based on the program that is
written by the programmers. Although this technology is still not very evolved
there have been many breakthroughs in this field, for example, there have been
robots equipped with A.I that were created with the ability of simple decision
making, so in a few decades this technology will be evolved to a point where
robots will be able to make complex and important decisions.