10 Incredibly Cool Breakthroughs You Won't Believe Happened In 2013

A whole lot can happen in just 12 months. The next evolution of affordable luxury vehicles is here. Introducing the 2014 Mercedes-Benz CLA.

1. The next level of virtual reality.

Oculus / Via kickstarter.com

Entertainment got a lot more interactive this year as a surge of incredible new tech -- including the Oculus Rift, the Omni motion interface, and 360° cameras, to name a few -- put viewers, gamers, and film aficionados right in the action.

2. A computer you can wear. On your face.

Josh Fjelstad / BuzzFeed

It feels like only a few short years ago that the easiest way to access the internet was by plugging into a desktop the size of a small moon and cringing through glacial dial-up speeds. Google's super-smart glasses do everything you'd expect from your computer. And then some.

3. Mind control moves from science fiction to science fact.

uwneuralsystems / Via youtube.com

Two University of Washington researchers made brain-to-brain interface a reality when one researcher, situated on the opposite side of the campus, remotely controlled his collaborator's hand with nothing but a brain signal. The University of Washington has neither confirmed nor denied that the researchers are secretly X-Men.

4. Integral organs were made with 3D printers.

University of Pennsylvania / Via youtube.com

Everything from kidneys to blood vessels to human tissue have been theorized, realized, and painstakingly created with the most advanced 3D printing technology available. Needless to say, we've come a long way from worrying about Inkjet cartridges and toner refills.

5. A smart-cube that'll keep your pets company when you're not around.

Petcube, Inc. / Via kickstarter.com

Strapping an iPad to your pooch's paws probably isn't the best idea, so why not set 'em up with a smart-device of their own? Petcube gives you a direct window to whatever your cat or dog is up to with a two-way HD feed, and will even let you talk to -- and play with -- your pets from wherever you are with an onboard microphone and low-intensity laser.

6. A nourishing substance that could replace food.

Rosa Labs / Via campaign.soylent.me

But maybe mouthwatering 3D-printed dishes aren't your thing. Then meet engineer Rob Rhinehart, the man who just this year crafted the low-cost food alternative Soylent. Intended to offer all the nutrients found in solid food, but at a much lower price point, the drinkable solution is already available for pre-order for a December delivery date.

7. Bionic limbs you can control with your mind.

Via gizmodo.com

Further proof that we're one step closer to making Blade Runner a reality, advancements made by DARPA and researchers at Case Western University have created incredible bionic limbs that offer actual sensation to amputees.

8. A peek behind the curtain at the God particle.

Via ask-higgs-boson.tumblr.com

You may remember last year's kerfluffle when scientists thought they'd finally discovered the fabled Higgs boson particle, but it wasn't until earlier this year that they were able to say with certainty that, yes, the so-called God particle is very real, bringing us one step closer to truly understanding how the universe works.

9. A possible electronic solution to memory loss.

Via g1ft3d.com

Neuroscientist Theodore Berger believes that the result of his recent research, a silicon chip meant to mimic the mind's signal processing, may be able to enhance the brain's capacity to generate memories. The end result could be a potential way to counteract various degenerative diseases, and marks one of the most remarkable breakthroughs in recent memory. Pun intended.

10. Watches that are just as smart as a smartphone.

Pebble Technology / Via kickstarter.com

It isn't quite Dick Tracy, but awesome mobile innovations like the Pebble complement wearable tech with high-end features -- like email access, playlist control, and cloud-based fitness tracking -- with a sleek design that might be sported by a cyborg Don Draper.

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