Beneath the surface of everyday life lies a world of engineering and science that defines how we understand and engage with the world around us. In this issue, we traverse present and future technologies ahead, from the perfume we spray and the GPS in our phones to 3D printed housing and rockets that can fly more than once.
We begin with Cloud Gaming: A Viable Alternative, or a Cloudy Future?. Although the technology is promising, this piece explores the benefits and limitations brought by cloud gaming when compared to traditional gaming setups.
Getting on the road, Why Your GPS Sometimes Lies: The Engineering Challenges of Navigation sheds light into the nature of today’s Global Positioning System (GPS), highlighting its imperfections as well as the innovative solutions that arise from the latter.
As housing prices become seemingly less and less affordable, 3D Printing: The Sustainable Answer to Affordable Housing? examines how the use of the technology—together with an establishment of regulatory frameworks—can help tackle the affordable housing crisis.
Next, Beyond Fragrance: The Engineering Behind Modern Perfume Design delves into the engineering process that comes with perfume creation, ranging from the evolution of these scents to the chemistry behind their production.
Sleep Smarter: The Technology Behind Better Rest addresses the benefits associated with good sleep, and how the rise of sleeping disorders have motivated the design of smart mattresses able to adapt to an individual’s sleep pattern.
Finally, How Reusable Rockets Land and Why It Matters highlights the importance of reusable rockets, explaining the inner workings that drive them and analysing the benefits—and possible limitations—associated with these new types of rockets.
These stories remind us that there’s always innovations being made to impact our lives, from the satellites in our sky to the houses being test-printed on the surface. We hope this issue illuminates the curiosity and innovation that drives progress and, hopefully, inspires you to see the boundless potential in everyday experiences and emerging technologies.
Managing Editors Leire Lizarralde and Karl Revale
Illumin Team
