Geothermal energy, a nearly inexhaustible source of clean energy, has the potential to transform global power generation. While countries like Iceland have successfully tapped into geothermal resources, the challenge lies in accessing the vast amounts of heat stored beneath the Earth’s surface. Currently, only 32 countries operate geothermal power plants, and less than 700 plants worldwide generate around 97 Terawatt hours (TWh) of electricity annually—a fraction of its potential. Experts believe geothermal could contribute up to 1,400 TWh annually by 2050, along with billions of TWh of heat.

Iceland, home to over 200 volcanoes and numerous hot springs, serves as a model, using geothermal energy to heat 85% of homes and generate 25% of the country’s electricity. However, tapping into this clean energy source is not so straightforward elsewhere, where drilling deep enough to reach the high temperatures necessary for power generation remains a major hurdle. While the Earth emits immense energy, its practical extraction is limited by technological and financial barriers.

In places like Iceland, geothermal wells can reach temperatures of up to 350°C (662°F) at depths of 1.5 miles (2.5 km), with some experimental wells in Reykjanes reaching superheated fluids as hot as 600°C (1,112°F). These high temperatures are essential for generating electricity, but drilling to these depths requires costly and complex technology. The challenge intensifies in regions like the UK, where the temperature at 5 km deep is around 140°C (284°F). To generate power, temperatures must exceed 374°C (705°F) to reach a state called supercritical, where water becomes a highly energetic substance capable of generating up to 10 times the energy of conventional geothermal wells.

Traditional drilling methods, even with advanced materials like diamond-tipped bits, struggle to reach these depths due to the extreme pressures and temperatures that cause frequent failures. In 2009, a drilling team in Iceland accidentally tapped into supercritical conditions, encountering highly acidic steam and uncontrollable pressures that led to a two-year hiatus before the well could be sealed.

To overcome these challenges, innovative companies and researchers are developing new drilling technologies. Quaise Energy, a spin-off from MIT, is pioneering millimetre-wave drilling, using high-frequency microwave beams to vaporize rock, allowing for deeper, more efficient drilling. Though still in laboratory testing, the technology could revolutionize geothermal energy extraction, with potential field trials starting in 2025.

Meanwhile, GA Drilling, based in Slovakia, is working on pulse plasma drilling, which disintegrates rock using high-energy electric discharges without melting it. This method reduces the need for frequent equipment replacement, potentially allowing access to geothermal power at depths of 10 km or more. These breakthroughs could unlock geothermal energy for regions once thought unreachable, offering a sustainable and reliable power source to meet global energy demands.

The ZX Spectrum, a groundbreaking 8-bit home computer, holds a special place in the history of technology as a catalyst for the UK’s home computing boom in the 1980s. Released in April 1982, the computer—with its rubber keys and distinctive rainbow design—ushered in an era of programming and gaming accessibility for millions.

The Spectrum, often affectionately called “The Speccy,” was the brainchild of Sir Clive Sinclair and his team. Priced at £125 for the 16k model and £175 for the 48k version, it became a staple under Christmas trees across the UK. Its colourful graphics, in contrast to the monochrome display of its predecessor, the ZX81, brought games like Manic Miner and Jet Set Willy to life on TV screens.

A new documentary, The Rubber-Keyed Wonder, explores the ZX Spectrum’s profound influence. Co-director Anthony Caulfield noted that the device arrived at a time when the idea of home computing was revolutionary. “Computers were in mainframes, requiring air conditioning and millions of dollars. The concept of a computer in your home was completely new,” he explained.

Manufactured in Dundee

The Spectrum was manufactured at the Timex factory in Dundee, Scotland, a city that would later become a hub for gaming innovation. Sinclair selected the facility for its skilled workforce, transitioning from watchmaking to technology. At its peak, the factory produced one ZX Spectrum every four seconds.

This local production spurred creativity among residents. “People got access to Spectrums through stores and even via the ‘back door’ of the factory,” said Mark Ettle, now head of Dundee-based Cobra Mobile. “It kick-started the imagination of what the world could be.”

Ettle recalls the Spectrum’s ability to make arcade-style gaming accessible at home while encouraging programming exploration. Games such as Ant Attack, Skool Daze, and Sabre Wulf became cultural phenomena. Ettle, an early expert at Sabre Wulf, said, “I was one of the first in the UK to complete the game and received a free game as a reward.”

Legacy of Innovation

The Spectrum’s impact extended beyond gaming. Mike Dailly, co-founder of Dundee’s DMA Design—the studio behind Lemmings and Grand Theft Auto—said his journey began with a ZX Spectrum. “My mum’s work needed a database, so they got me a Spectrum,” he said. “I spent more time tinkering and writing programs than playing games.”

Dailly emphasized the device’s role in establishing Dundee as a global gaming centre. “The entire original DMA Design team started on Spectrums,” he shared.

Today, the ZX Spectrum is remembered not only as a gaming console but as a cultural icon that inspired a generation of developers, reshaping the world of computing and entertainment.

While in vitro fertilization (IVF) has been a revolutionary infertility treatment since the birth of Louise Brown, the first baby conceived through the procedure in 1978, many couples still face a long and uncertain journey toward parenthood. Despite advancements in IVF techniques, the live birth rate per embryo transfer remains low for many patients. New research may hold the key to improving these odds.

IVF begins with a delicate process where eggs are fertilized outside the body and observed as they develop into embryos. Some fertility clinics offer a high-tech procedure known as time-lapse imaging, where embryos are photographed every ten minutes to monitor their progress. This technique, often presented as a way to increase the chances of a successful pregnancy, has become widely used and expensive—adding up to $700 in the UK or $500 in the US to an IVF cycle.

However, a study published in The Lancet in July 2024 cast doubt on the benefits of time-lapse imaging. The study, which reviewed over 1,500 IVF procedures, found no significant difference in live birth rates between those using time-lapse imaging and those who did not. Priya Bhide, a senior lecturer at Queen Mary University of London, who co-authored the study, noted that previous reviews had already suggested limited evidence for the technique’s effectiveness.

Despite the lack of clear improvements from time-lapse imaging, the broader field of IVF has made incremental progress over the years. For example, the success rate of IVF has tripled for women under 38 since the 1990s, and the live birth rate in the US has risen 1.6 times over the past decade. Still, for women aged 35 and older, the success rate per embryo transfer remains relatively low, around 30-39%.

The emotional and financial toll of IVF can be severe, with many patients undergoing multiple cycles, each costing thousands of dollars, and facing repeated failures. However, researchers are hopeful that new approaches could increase the chances of success.

One promising area of research is the development of better techniques for egg extraction. A new method being tested on dairy cows uses a specially designed needle that induces fluid turbulence inside the follicle to extract more eggs without damaging them. If successful in human trials, this technique could increase both the quantity and quality of retrieved eggs, potentially improving IVF outcomes.

Additionally, scientists in Spain are experimenting with magnetic nanoparticles that allow for the manipulation of eggs and embryos without direct physical contact. This method could reduce the risk of damaging delicate cells, which is a common concern in IVF procedures.

In Australia, researchers are investigating the use of light to measure lipid levels in embryos, which could offer new insights into their metabolic activity and potential for successful development. However, as with all new technologies, these methods still need extensive testing before they can be applied in clinical practice.

While IVF continues to offer hope for millions, researchers caution that even with new innovations, the road to a successful pregnancy remains uncertain. As IVF becomes more advanced, the challenge remains to make these techniques more effective and accessible, while managing the emotional and financial strain for couples.