Nova: What's the Next Big Thing?

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In this episode of NOVA scienceNOW, come face to face with social robots that understand human feelings, carry on conversations, even make jokes. Then travel to Haiti, where geologists investigate the 2010 earthquake not long after it struck for clues to how to better forecast future quakes. Afterwards, join engineers at General Motors who are testing tiny, two-wheeled cars called EN-Vs, which one day might drive themselves through city streets. Learn about proposals for making our outdated electric grid "smart." And meet Nebraska native Jay Keasling, a pioneer in synthetic biology who shares his work on developing "designer" microbes that produce biofuels and medicines
Humanoid Robots (2:46)
Meet Robot, Philip K. Dick (2:42)
"Frubber" (1:08)
Robots for the Elderly (4:58)
Fifth Largest Killing Earthquake (4:20)
Predicting Earthquakes (2:29)
California's Comprehensive Earthquake Forecast (3:07)
Eliminating Automotive Gridlock (4:05)
Automobiles of the Future & Jetpacks (3:09)
Antiquated U.S. Electric Grid (2:16)
Cost-Inefficient "Peaker" Plants (3:34)
Electric Grid of the Future (3:00)
Joint BioEnergy Institute (2:30)
Making Artemisinin Affordable (2:04)
Jay Keasling: Early Years (2:57)
Bio-Diesel from Switchgrass (2:24)
What's the Next Big Thing?: Final Thoughts (2:17)
Sponsorship & Credits: What's the Next Big Thing? (1:42)

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