Putting six tech promises to the test
In its October 23, 2026 edition of the newsletter 'The Download,' MIT Technology Review spotlighted the feature stories in its new 'Impossible' issue.
The magazine asked experts about the current state of progress—and the reasons for delays—on six technologies that have been billed as 'just around the corner' for years or even decades: decoding what pets are saying, eliminating PFAS, the toxic chemicals that never break down, short-duration travel to Mars, a pill that delivers the benefits of exercise, and nuclear-powered spacecraft.
In the biotech arena, reporter Jessica Hamzelou attended a screening of 'You Can See Everything,' a documentary about the fraud committed by former biotech CEO Elizabeth Holmes, and reported that the film has reignited concerns about blind spots in research coverage.
