Scientific Breakthroughs in 2012

閱讀暖身
2012年許多科技研發都有突破，科學家也期許能以此改善人類生活。當中世界上最薄材料─石墨烯(Graphene)，被認為最有可能取代稀土，使資訊電子產品有機會變得更為輕薄。科學家日以繼夜研究開發石墨烯更多用途，目前石墨烯的物理特性也能阻擋海水鹽份，未來人類甚至可能直接將海水過濾成飲用水。

進入本文前，請先想想以下單字：

(A) 稀土金屬

(B) 分子

(C) 接合劑

Graphene has properties similar to (A) rare earth metals, which are currently used in electronic devices. However most of these metals are becoming harder to access. Rare metals will become prohibitively (1) scarce and expensive or even possibly unavailable in the near future. Thus, Graphene might be a good substitute for rare metals.

石墨烯特性接近常用在電氣設備的稀土金屬，而稀土金屬卻變得越來越難獲取。在不久的未來，稀土終將變得更為稀有且昂貴，而石墨烯或許能成為稀土的替代材料。

Also, Graphene can block salt while letting water (B) molecules through. This means the production of potable water from the seawater is about to become possible.

另外，石墨烯可以阻擋鹽分通過，並只讓水分子進出，也代表海水直接淡化成飲用水的製程也將會實現。

The followings are considered as the major breakthroughs in 2012：
以下是2012年科學界其他重要的突破：

1. Exploring the smart phone's new uses 探索智慧型手機的新利用方式
Many people believe iPhones are still underused. As smart phones have high bandwidth connections, some companies are beginning to link smart phone and tablet functions to (2) augment their connection with the actual world.
許多人認為iPhone的使用方式仍有待開發。由於智慧型手機擁有高頻寬的連結性，讓許多公司更努力嘗試連結智慧型手機及平板電腦的功能並加強與現實世界的連繫。

2. Automobile Revolution 汽車革新
Experts believe that we are (3) on the cusp of a transformation in the auto industry. This transformation has begun for some time, but now major innovations are really starting to come together.
許多專家認為，我們正身處在汽車產業變革的尖端，雖然這樣變革已開始了一段時間，時至今日重要的革新真開始同時出現。

3. DNA targeted therapy DNA標靶治療
Scientists used DNA targeted therapy to treat inherited blindness.
科學家找出了運用DNA標靶療法醫治遺傳性失明的方法。

4. Geckskin 壁虎膠帶
Geckskin was inspired by gecko feet. It is a strong (C) adhesive, which can hold 300 kilograms on wall. Geckskin also shows that the development of bionics can truly improve our daily life in different ways.
壁虎膠帶是來自於壁虎可以飛簷走壁的腳掌。它是一種強力的接合劑，可以承受 300公斤作用力。壁虎膠帶的問世也充分展示，仿生學應用能在許多方面改善我們日常生活。

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