Exploring Science Through Science Fiction

• Main Author: Luokkala, Barry B. (Author, http://id.loc.gov/vocabulary/relators/aut)
• Corporate Author: SpringerLink (Online service)
• Format: Electronic eBook
• Language: English
• Published: Cham : Springer International Publishing : Imprint: Springer, 2019.
• Edition: 2nd ed. 2019.
• Series: Science and Fiction,
• Subjects: Physics.; Gravitation.; Space sciences.; Control engineering.; Robotics.; Mechatronics.; Biomedical engineering.; Nuclear energy.; Popular Science in Physics.; Classical and Quantum Gravitation, Relativity Theory.; Space Sciences (including Extraterrestrial Physics, Space Exploration and Astronautics).; Control, Robotics, Mechatronics.; Biomedical Engineering/Biotechnology.; Nuclear Energy.

How does Einstein's description of space and time compare with Doctor Who? Can James Bond really escape from an armor-plated railroad car by cutting through the floor with a laser concealed in a wristwatch? What would it take to create a fully intelligent android, such as Star Trek's Comma...

Table of Contents:

• 1 Introduction: Discerning the Real, the Possible and the Impossible
• 2 What is the Nature of Space and Time? (the physics of space travel and time travel)
• 3 What is the Universe Made of? (matter, energy and interactions)
• 4 Can a Machine Become Self-Aware? (the sciences of computing and cognition)
• 5 Are We Alone in the Universe? (the search for extraterrestrial intelligence)
• 6 What does it Mean to be Human? (biological sciences, biotechnology and other considerations)
• 7 How do We Solve Our Problems? (science, technology and society)
• 8 What Lies Ahead? (the future of our technological society)
• Appendix A: Catalog of Movies Cited
• Appendix B: Catalog of Television Series Episodes Cited
• Appendix C: Catalog of YouTube Videos Cited
• Appendix D: List of Works Cited
• Appendix E: Solutions to Estimation Problems
• Index.