New tech will change our future

With every year that passes, a new technology comes along to improve our lives and change the way we do things. Scientific American has chosen 10 emerging (新兴的) technologies. Some of them might be the “next big thing”. Let’s have a look at three of them.

Quantum sensors 量子传感器

Everything in the universe has some amount of gravity (引力)—even you. And now, scientists are designing sensors that can find these tiny gravitational fields (引力场) and detect (探测) things more accurately (精确地) and safely.

These quantum sensors, as they’re called, can pick up tiny changes in gravitational, electric, and magnetic (磁的) fields. They are more accurate than other sensors, as they can detect changes at the atomic (原子的) level.

For example, they can be used to detect cables (电缆) underground without digging for them. They could also be used to detect earthquakes before they happen or even keep track of someone’s brain activity.

Virtual patient 虚拟患者

It has often been pointed out that computers and robots might one day take the place of human doctors. But what if computers were used to replace patients instead? This is called “in-silico (电子模拟的) medicine”—testing medicine and treatment methods (疗法) on virtual organs (器官) or even full bodies produced (制造) by computers. There might be a great risk when testing new drugs or treatments on live patients—as well as great cost. But with virtual patients, we can test these things more cheaply and without risking anyone’s life.

Green hydrogen 绿色氢

When we burn hydrogen for energy, the only by-product (副产品) is water. It’s safe for the environment. But we need fossil fuels (化石燃料) to produce hydrogen, which is bad for the environment. Luckily, we now have “green” hydrogen. Green hydrogen is produced by using machines to split (分开) water into its two most basic elements (元素)—hydrogen and oxygen (氧气). In the past, this process (过程) used too much electricity. But now, we have more efficient (有效率的) machines.

4 . Scientists have developed a way to read minds, translating unspoken thoughts into written words. It’s the first time it’s been done without having to put anything into the brain. They used artificial intelligence (AI) (人工智能). It is the name given to a computer system that is able to “think” for itself and carry out tasks that usually require human intelligence.

Scientists used a special scanner (扫描器). The machine can see where blood runs, which shows the parts of the brain that are most active. People taking part in the experiment (实验) listened to the radio for 16 hours as their brains were scanned. The AI tool learned to connect certain brain activity with words they heard. After that, each person was asked to think of a story, and the AI tool managed to pick up these thoughts as they happened.

The results had about a 50% accuracy rate (准确率), although the AI found it hard to work out the meaning of pronouns, such as he or she, her or him. For example, it turned “I don’t have my driver’s license yet” into “She has not even started to learn to drive yet.” It could usually understand the meaning of what someone was thinking rather than the exact words. The AI was personalized, so when it had learnt from one person but it was tested on another, it couldn’t understand their thoughts.

The scientists, who have been working on the technology for 15 years, say they understand the risks of it being used badly. Scientist Jerry Tang told a newspaper, “We want to make sure people only use these types of technologies when they want to, and that it helps them.” The scientists hope it will help people with certain medical conditions, who are still awake but have lost the ability to speak, to communicate once again.

Last week we went on a school trip to a science museum. Ms. Liu, the guide, showed us around a smart home.

We started with the front door. Ms. Liu asked me to ring the doorbell. I didn’t notice the tiny camera that was fixed just above it. After I pressed (按) the doorbell, the camera sent a live video (视频直播) to the home-owners. “They can electronically open the door when they are not at home,” said Ms. Liu.

The other thing I couldn’t see on the door was a lock. “There must be one,” I thought. At this time, Ms. Liu took out a smart phone and put it against the door. And it opened. “Oh, the key is on the smart phone.”

After entering the living room, I saw a computer on a table. By using the computer, the owners can control how much energy is used. In this way, they can manage their living cost.

One of the rooms I wanted to see most was the bedroom. To my great surprise, the bed disappeared into the floor at the touch of the smart phone. The window has a smart blind (百叶窗). It can be raised and lowered with a voice.

As I left the smart home, I looked back on what I had just seen. Scientists often say that these products are improving our life. I think the technology in the smart home may make us lazier. However, there is no doubt that it will become more popular in the homes of tomorrow.

1、2题完成句子；3~5题简略回答问题。

6 .

The race is on to get more electric cars on the road. People predict that electric cars might be more common in the future. But according to a 2021 survey by Pew Research Center, more than half of U, S, adults like gas-powered cars better. They say electric cars are expensive and charging (充电) them is a big problem. For now, most people plan to stick with gas-powered cars. We ask young readers what they think about electric cars.

8 . AI (人工智能) can help teenagers and students learn in several ways.

Personalized learning: AI can know better about students, including their advantages, weaknesses, skills, learning favorites, learning needs, and so on. Then it can create a proper learning plan for each student. This can help students concentrate on areas that they need to improve at their own speed.

Interactive (交互的) learning: AI has the ability to make learning more interactive and interesting. Things like interactive learning apps and educational games can make subject learning more interesting. What’s more, they can make students interested in a subject at once. This kind of active learning is sure to be more helpful than studying alone.

Automated (自动的) advice and help: AI can provide automated advice and answers to questions. It can examine students’ work and provide personalized help. For example, ChatGPT can answer students’ questions quickly in a private, low-pressure way. This kind of advice and answers can help students better understand knowledge and use their knowledge.

Greater resources (资源): AI can make many of the students’ learning resources richer and wider, like electronic textbooks, online courses, and study apps. For example, a biology textbook with AI technology may provide interactive 3D models of a human body that students can study more carefully. AI can provide interactive examples, introduce important passages, and offer assessments (评价).

In a word, AI has a great ability to improve studying and learning. By using AI, students can study smarter and reach higher levels of learning and success. The future of AI in education is hopeful as technologies continue to develop.

10 . ①According to UNESCO, there are 740 million people unable to read or write in this world. And 250 million children of primary school age have no basic reading and writing skills. However, reading makes everything possible in life: education, work and escaping poverty(贫困). Considering that, the Global School Community aims to bring digital books to all the children of the world and their families.

②Digital technology makes a real difference. It can reach across the world and is fairly inexpensive. The Global School Community makes e-books available to children all around the world, either through mobile phones, Ipads or computers, saving the cost of making books and transport. Technology also helps improve our communication skills. Through the use of technology, teachers and children around the world can meet online to share lessons and discuss ideas. Remote schooling (远程教学) is one example of the success of communication through the Internet.

③The first books a child reads can have a great influence on that child. The greater the influence, the more likely the child is to continue reading and learning throughout his life. E-books, which are actually the electronic versions of printed books, not only provide knowledge and information, but help people grow healthily in mind. They can provide hours of entertainment and can connect schools all over the world. Studies have shown that children make much progress after only five months of reading e-books. Bido Hafrag, a child from Egypt, said, “Reading e-books not only helps me learn to read and write, but gives me much confidence. It also helps me have a better understanding of the world.”

④The Global School Community has a huge e-book library for every school to enter. It aims to bring digital books to all children and their families, and helps schools, colleges and universities to connect with each other. Please join our family of schools, write an e-book or share resources资源) at globalschoolcommunity.com.