The Quantum Revolution (3 of 5)

In this excerpt from the BBC series, "Visions of the Future," leading theoretical physicist and futurist Dr. Michio Kaku explores the cutting edge science of today, tomorrow, and beyond. He argues that humankind is at a turning point in history and that in this century, we are going to make the transition from the Age of Discovery to the Age of Mastery -- a period in which we will move from being passive observers of nature to its active choreographers.

The quantum revolution could turn many ideas of science fiction into science fact -- from metamaterials with mind-boggling properties like invisibility through limitless quantum energy and room temperature superconductors to Arthur C. Clarke's space elevator. Some scientists even forecast that in the latter half of the century everybody will have a personal fabricator that re-arranges molecules to produce everything from almost anything. The question is: how will we ultimately use our mastery of matter?