Inventions: What will we think of next?

Here’s a collection of some of the great uses of technology over the last couple of years.

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Falcon Hypersonic Technology Vehicle 2 (HTV-2)

The Falcon HTV-2 is an unmanned, rocket-launched, maneuverable aircraft that glides through the Earth’s atmosphere at incredibly fast speeds (approximately 13,000 miles per hour). The hypersonic glider launched atop a Minotaur rocket on Aug.10 from Vandenberg Air Force Base, Calif. The Hypersonic Test Vehicle-2 is an experiment in extremely high speed flight technologies by the U.S. Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency.

/ AP

Laptop controlled by eye movements

Barbara Barclay of Tobii Technology, who is seen reflected in a computer monitor, plays a video game in New York, Feb. 28, using only her eyes.

Seth Wenig / AP

Smartheart app

The Smartheart app by SHL Telemedicine transforms a cellphone into a heart monitor by sending ECG data to a remote medical team that can respond to any problems. The app was unveiled in May.

/ Photo courtesy of SHL Telemedicine

Zafirro Iridium razor

The makers of this razor took a page from the books of nanotechnology, particle physics and more to create this $100,000 shaver. The blades, which Zafirro claims “lasts forever” are made of sapphire, and the razor's body is made of iridium.

/ Photo courtesy of Zafirro

Chip that detects infectious organisms in food

Scientist Geoff Lowman poses with a chip that reads DNA and is being used to help decode genomes in the outbreaks of E. coli affecting Europe at the Life Technologies laboratory June 8 in Carlsbad, Calif. The new technology gave way to the development of a rapid test which can be used to determine whether a food source contains the pathogen within 10 to 24 hours.

Gregory Bull / AP

The Online Electric Vehicle

The Online Electric Vehicle, towing three carriages, moves along a blue line under which power strips are buried for recharging, after a launch ceremony in South Korea July 19. The Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology unveiled the wireless electric trams to the public in March 2010, and since then it had developed three commercial trams. The vehicle has replaced the old diesel-powered carts used by passengers for transportation within the park.

Ahn Young-joon / AP

One-winged flight machine

A maple seed is seen on the hand of Craig Stoneking, project manager at Lockheed Martin Advance Technology Laboratories, as engineer David Sharp holds the company's new drone Aug. 10. The unmanned, one-winged flight machine is based on the flight of maple seeds that twirl down from trees during the spring.

Julio Cortez / AP

Chip that 'thinks' like a human

IBM announced Aug. 18 a new chip it developed that is designed to act like the human brain. Computer systems that use the chips would be able to "learn through experiences" and remember, among other functions, the company said. This technology is called cognitive computing.

/ Photo courtesy of IBM

The ‘Airbike’

EADS’s “Airbike” was printed from a 3D printer, making it the first functional bike to be created from a computer. The bike is made of nylon and doesn’t require any assembly.

/ Photo courtesy of EADS

The Electric Networked-Vehicle

EN-V, which is short for Electric Networked-Vehicle, maintains the core principle of personal mobility — freedom — while helping remove the motor vehicle from the environmental debate and redefining design leadership. EN-V is a two-seat electric vehicle that was designed to alleviate concerns surrounding traffic congestion, parking availability, air quality and affordability for tomorrow’s cities. The Jiao (Pride) model (pictured) was unveiled in Shanghai in 2010.

GM / WIECK

Solar-powered LED light bulbs

Children hold up Nokero solar-powered LED light bulbs at the Thriving Talents school in Kisii, Kenya. The bulb runs on a battery that lasts about four hours after it's charged by the sun. The light bulb is expected to provide light to 1.4 billion people who do not live near a power grid, Post Ideas@Innovations blogger Emi Kolawole reports.

Nokero / Cheyenne Ellis

Featured Photo Galleries

Homeowner David Firth tries to beat back a brush fire heading towards his home at Bettas Road and Low Drive as wildfire burns Tuesday, Aug. 14, 2012 in Cle Elum, Wash. The fire jumped the line they were trying to make but still stands after being sprayed with water trucks and further efforts to beat it back with the help of several neighbors volunteering. (AP Photo/The Seattle Times, Bettina Hansen) SEATTLE OUT, USA TODAY OUT, MAGAZINES OUT, TELEVISION OUT, NO SALES . MANDATORY CREDIT TO: BETTINA HANSEN/THE SEATTLE TIMES.

Residents evacuate as wildfires rage through the West

This year’s wildfires are more numerous and have gotten bigger than last year’s, an official says.

LONDON, ENGLAND - AUGUST 16: Protesters gather outside the Ecuadorian Embassy, where Julian Assange, founder of Wikileaks is staying on August 16, 2012 in London, England. Mr Assange has been living inside Ecuador's London embassy since June 19, 2012 after requesting political asylum whilst facing extradition to Sweden to face allegations of sexual assault. (Photo by Dan Kitwood/Getty Images)

Julian Assange granted political asylum by Ecuador

WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange was granted asylum on Thursday by Ecuador, raising the possibility of a diplomatic showdown between British...

Chase Culp of Houston checks his clown makeup before the performance of Circus Smirkus on Wednesday, Aug. 15, 2012 in Montpelier, Vt. Circus Smirkus, based in Greensboro, Vt., is an award-winning international youth circus founded to promote the skills, culture and traditions of the traveling circus.(AP Photo/Toby Talbot)

India Independence Day, Syrian air strikes, Western wildfires, plastination and more in the day in photos

News and feature images from around the world.

Cast member Charisma Carpenter poses at the premiere of 'The Expendables 2' at the Grauman's Chinese theatre in Hollywood, California August 15, 2012. The movie opens in the U.S. on August 17. REUTERS/Mario Anzuoni (UNITED STATES - Tags: ENTERTAINMENT)

Eye on entertainment

Charisma Carpenter, Chuck Norris, Lionel Richie, Joe Jonas, Nelly, Alice Cooper and other celebrities.

US President Barack Obama drinks a Guinness beer at The Dubliner pub on March 17, 2012 in Washington. Obama went to the bar to celebrate St. Patrick's Day. AFP PHOTO/Brendan SMIALOWSKI (Photo credit should read BRENDAN SMIALOWSKI/AFP/Getty Images)

Hoppy days are here again

President Obama is making clear his love for beer on the campaign trail as he attempts to ferment a coalition of the swilling.

Scanned from Post archive. Washington Senators baseball players Goose Goslin, Manush, Kukel. 9/21/1933. No other info. TWP Photo.

The last time Washington was this good . . .

The Nationals have had the best record in baseball in August, starting to erase memories hardened by decades of mediocrity. Here are clues to...

Montreal Washington, of Kansas City, pets the dog she adopted, Friday, Aug. 10, during 'Tackle Pet Homelessness' at the Kansas City animal shelter in Kansas City, Mo.. Washington plans on naming the pit bull, Alexandra. The shelter is at capacity and is offering a $25 adoption special for all dogs 25 pounds or more. For the month of August, all cats are 'name your own price' and kitten adoptions are $50. (AP Photo/The Kansas City Star, Allison Long)

Homeless and adopted dogs, sand kittens, snow leopards and more in animal views.

Amazing creatures from around the world.

LEWISBURG, WV - AUGUST 11: ( EDITORS NOTE: Image was created using the iPhone 4s with Snapseed's vintage filter) Two young boys sip a drink at the West Virginia State fair on August 11, 2012 in Lewisburg, West Virginia. People from across the region travel to the fair, which is celebrating its 88th year, and hosts various events including equestrian and livestock demonstrations along with a full compliment of carnival rides. (Photo by Mark Wilson/Getty Images)

iPhone snapshots at the West Virginia State Fair

An iPhone captures the fun at the West Virginia State Fair, in its 88th year. All images were created using the Snapseed photo-editing app&rsquo...

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