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We may soon be able to scale vertical walls like Spider-man thanks to scientists. What other superhero characteristics are achievable for mere mortals?We may soon be able to scale vertical walls like Spider-man thanks to scientists. What other superhero characteristics are achievable for mere mortals?
It's the stuff of dreams, but a spider-man suit that allows the wearer to scale vertical walls could become a reality.It's the stuff of dreams, but a spider-man suit that allows the wearer to scale vertical walls could become a reality.
Italian scientists have worked out how the natural technology used by real spiders could allow a person to crawl up the side of a skyscraper or hang upside down from a roof.Italian scientists have worked out how the natural technology used by real spiders could allow a person to crawl up the side of a skyscraper or hang upside down from a roof.
Has science finally caught up with comic book, and what other superhero characteristics could humans soon have?Has science finally caught up with comic book, and what other superhero characteristics could humans soon have?
X-RAY VISIONX-RAY VISION
A team of Scottish scientists claim to be on the brink of producing the world's first pair of X-ray spectacles that will give the wearer "super-human" vision.A team of Scottish scientists claim to be on the brink of producing the world's first pair of X-ray spectacles that will give the wearer "super-human" vision.
Superman has X-ray visionResearchers at Glasgow University believe a breakthrough in the study of radio wave generation will allow them to produce goggles that can see through clothes and inside suitcases.Superman has X-ray visionResearchers at Glasgow University believe a breakthrough in the study of radio wave generation will allow them to produce goggles that can see through clothes and inside suitcases.
These would emit terahertz radiation - ultra-fast beams of light - which bounce off the object being viewed and return to the spectacles to create a detailed image on the inside of the lens.These would emit terahertz radiation - ultra-fast beams of light - which bounce off the object being viewed and return to the spectacles to create a detailed image on the inside of the lens.
The waves, which would be fired through engineered crystals to create three-dimensional pictures, pass straight through "flimsy" materials such as cloth, paper and plastics, but cannot penetrate dense material such as flesh or metal.The waves, which would be fired through engineered crystals to create three-dimensional pictures, pass straight through "flimsy" materials such as cloth, paper and plastics, but cannot penetrate dense material such as flesh or metal.
The scientists say the device could provide far more detailed images than conventional X-ray scanners and allow wearers to differentiate Semtex from modelling clay, for instance, or cocaine from sugar. This would make it a useful tool for policing, counter-terrorism and airport security.The scientists say the device could provide far more detailed images than conventional X-ray scanners and allow wearers to differentiate Semtex from modelling clay, for instance, or cocaine from sugar. This would make it a useful tool for policing, counter-terrorism and airport security.
INVISABILITY INVISIBILITY
Ever since HG Wells wrote The Invisible Man, people have dreamt of disappearing. But no chemical can turn people transparent, and invisibility has always been considered impossible.Ever since HG Wells wrote The Invisible Man, people have dreamt of disappearing. But no chemical can turn people transparent, and invisibility has always been considered impossible.
Not conspicuous at allNow University of Tokyo scientists have invented a suit made with a special type of retro-reflective material, which acts as a photographic screen.Not conspicuous at allNow University of Tokyo scientists have invented a suit made with a special type of retro-reflective material, which acts as a photographic screen.
A camera on the suit takes a picture of what's behind the wearer and projects this onto the front of the suit. Anyone looking directly at the suit would see what is behind it.A camera on the suit takes a picture of what's behind the wearer and projects this onto the front of the suit. Anyone looking directly at the suit would see what is behind it.
With enough cameras positioned on the suit and with the material made of flexible monitors, a person wearing an advanced version of this suit would blend in totally with their environment.With enough cameras positioned on the suit and with the material made of flexible monitors, a person wearing an advanced version of this suit would blend in totally with their environment.
The invisible car used in the James Bond movie, Die Another Day, uses an advanced version of this technology, says Robert Weinberg, author of The Science of Supervillains. The technology may also be useful for pilots, to make the floors of their cockpits appear transparent for landing.The invisible car used in the James Bond movie, Die Another Day, uses an advanced version of this technology, says Robert Weinberg, author of The Science of Supervillains. The technology may also be useful for pilots, to make the floors of their cockpits appear transparent for landing.
LEVITATIONLEVITATION
Step aside X-Man Magneto. Scientists have already managed to levitate frogs - could humans be next?Step aside X-Man Magneto. Scientists have already managed to levitate frogs - could humans be next?
Wolverine, with his metal skeleton, is easy for Magneto to levitateMost materials are diamagnetic, meaning they are repelled by either of the magnetic poles. Water is slightly diamagnetic, so it's also repelled by strong magnetic fields.Wolverine, with his metal skeleton, is easy for Magneto to levitateMost materials are diamagnetic, meaning they are repelled by either of the magnetic poles. Water is slightly diamagnetic, so it's also repelled by strong magnetic fields.
Since frogs are mostly water, scientists have found that if they use a strong enough magnetic field, they can levitate a frog without harming it in any way.Since frogs are mostly water, scientists have found that if they use a strong enough magnetic field, they can levitate a frog without harming it in any way.
The human body is composed of about 70% water so the same principle could apply. The problem is generating the necessary magnetic field to do so - it would require the output of a nuclear power station, scientists say.The human body is composed of about 70% water so the same principle could apply. The problem is generating the necessary magnetic field to do so - it would require the output of a nuclear power station, scientists say.
LIE-DETECTING LASSOLIE-DETECTING LASSO
An early proponent of the lie-detection machine - or polygraph - was the psychologist William Marston, who is also credited with creating Wonder Woman. Probably explains why her kit includes a lie-detecting lasso.An early proponent of the lie-detection machine - or polygraph - was the psychologist William Marston, who is also credited with creating Wonder Woman. Probably explains why her kit includes a lie-detecting lasso.
Tell her no lies...The machines rely on the fact that humans tend to have measurable physical changes when they lie, such as a higher heart rate and sweaty fingers.Tell her no lies...The machines rely on the fact that humans tend to have measurable physical changes when they lie, such as a higher heart rate and sweaty fingers.
Using electrodes around the body, the polygraph measures all of these physiological changes while the subject is being questioned.Using electrodes around the body, the polygraph measures all of these physiological changes while the subject is being questioned.
When a person takes a lie-detector test, sensors are attached to their body. Signals from the sensors are recorded on a single strip of moving paper.When a person takes a lie-detector test, sensors are attached to their body. Signals from the sensors are recorded on a single strip of moving paper.
Just place those sensors in a lasso and the machine to print out the reading in a handy backpack, and away you go.Just place those sensors in a lasso and the machine to print out the reading in a handy backpack, and away you go.