Popular Mechanics in December

The U.S. and Russian editions of Popular Mechanics teamed up to choose the 10 best innovations of the year that will change life for all mankind. The list spans the best ideas, technologies and inventions that have relevance for every person on the planet. Read more in the December issue of the magazine.

The burst of solar activity dubbed the “Halloween Storm" knocked out satellites, left entire cities without electricity and lit up the tropics with polar lights. The “Wrath of the Sun" article in the Science section explains this striking example of turbulent cosmic weather.

In Technology, the article “Robocop 5: Heat in Zelenograd" looks at one of the most advanced robots in the world — a machine called Tral Patrol.

What is human consciousness? How does it fundamentally differ from advanced nervous activity among the higher animals? Why do humans experience unconsciousness? Sergei Mats, a senior instructor at the Vygotsky University Institute of Psychology, addresses these questions in the article “The Labyrinths of Consciousness."

The “Protection from Friends" article in the Weapons section explains how the system for recognizing “friend or foe" long employed by the air force is now proving helpful for the infantry.

Also in this issue:

Through a pipe into the future;
Fun science;
Attack on teeth;
A unified space;
When Gauss and Tesla are powerless;
Explosions for truth;
In buffalo skin;
Flight of the combat whales;
The ocean is growing cramped;
Jennifer Townley’s perfect patterns.

The issue went on sale November 19.