World of Ptavvs by Larry Niven:
Science Fiction Inventions, Technology and Ideas

This is Larry Niven's first novel (or novella); it explains a lot about the Known Space technologies seen in his later work. The novel begins two billion years ago, when a member of a telepathically powerful race (the Thrintun, later called Slavers in Niven's stories) has drive problems and puts himself in a stasis field hoping to be rescued soon. However, ages pass until he is discovered in the modern era. Select an invention:

Autodoc - automated medical device
An automated physician, a fully autonomous surgical robot.

Ramscoop - pull in hydrogen
An enormous magnetic field precedes a spaceship moving through space, directing interstellar hydrogen inward for use as fuel.

Slaver Sunflowers
Plants evolved to reflect light to burn natural enemies.

 

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Science Fiction
in the News

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Illustrating Classic Heinlein With AI
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Deflector Plasma Screen For Drones ala Star Wars
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Cheap Drunk Driver Detection From UofM
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Can A Human Land A SpaceX Rocket On Its Tail?
re: Stanley G. Weinbaum
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Robot Snakes No Longer Stopped By Stairs
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Has Turkey Been Stealing Rain From Iran?
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We Need To Build Anti-Drone Systems For Civilian Spaces
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SensorWake Scent-Based Alarm Clock
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AI Worms That Spread
re: John Brunner
(2/20/2024)

Challenges Of Two-Armed Robots
re: Various
(2/18/2024)

More SF in the News

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