As was the case in many other industries this year, science trends of 2012 leaned more towards technology than they did before. Such products as storm-locating apps and augmented reality lenses led the way in the digital science world, making everyday life easier while taking humanity one step closer to the future depicted in shows like The Jetsons.
An array of interesting and lighthearted scientific finds presented themselves in 2012 as well; things like non-melting chocolate and phone call-responding tattoos may not be in the history textbooks of the 3000s (or will they?), but they do bring science to industries, and thus consumers, that would otherwise be unconcerned.
Check out our Science Trend Report if you're interested in applying these microtrends to your company's projects.
Top 100 Science Trends of 2012
100
Instagram Storm Blogs
The Hurricane Sandy Instacane Website Posts As-It-Happens Photos
99
Storm-Locating Maps
The Hurricane Sandy Crisis Map Helps to Prepare for This Natural Disaster
98
Physics Articulated Furinture
The Newton Dining Table is Inspired by the Laws of Gravity
97
Clever Science Campaigns (UPDATE)
Science World Billboards Teach Funky Facts
96
Bug Bite Syringes
The Aspivenin Mosquito Bite Suction Device Prevents Pesky Itchiness
95
Post-Lecture Blackboard Photography
Momentum by Alejandro Guijarro Symbolizes the Chaotic World
94
Solar System Chocolates
Japanese Chocolate Makers 'L'eclat' Create Out-of-This-World Treats
93
Streamlined Stingray Submarines
The GhostManta Submersible Vehicle Works with Underwater Creatures
92
Wikipedia-Inspired Photography
The Disambiguation Photo Series is Based Around Scientific Theories
91
Fierce Futuristic Fashionistas
Tejal Patni Creates a World of Tomorrow in This Splash Calendar
90
Up-Close Food Photographs
Electron Microscope Food Photography Looks at Everyday Edibles
89
Common Curiosity Campaigns
The Arizona Science Center Advertisements Ask Everyday Questions
88
Dew-Covered Insect Photography
The David Chambon Water-Covered Bug Images are Magical
87
Interactive Outer-Orbit Light Shows
These Black Marble Images Were Recently Released by NASA
86
Vivid Plasmic Furniture
The Inside of Amoeba Table is a Bold Biological Object
85
Time-Lapse Space Photographs
The ‘Star Trail’ Captures by Astronaut Don Pettit
84
Mangled Anatomical Architecture
Primal Parts by Kyd Kitchaiya Explores the Biology of Building
83
Thermal Footwear Accessories
The 'Warm Shoestrings' Concept Keeps Toes Cozy in the Cold
82
Translucent Solar Windows
The Lightfarm Collects Energy and Looks Appealing
81
Augmented Reality Lenses
Innovega iOptik Contacts Will Let You See Multiple Images
80
Mega Moving Machine Transporters
The Blue Marlin is a Ship Designed to Carry Other Ships
79
Glass-Blown Artery Designs
Gary Farlow Recreates the Body's Vasculature System from Glass
78
House-Collapsing Hurricane Videos
A Building Falls Apart During the Hurricane Sandy Devastation
77
Ecological Wind Turbines
The Siemens B57 Blade Design Can Power Up to 1.8 Million Homes
76
Somber Space Suit Retrospectives
Matthias Schaller Photographs Old Astronaut Gear Emotively
75
Transparent Globe Innovations
The Spherical Glass Solar Energy Generator by Andre Rawlemon
74
Macabre Ferrofluid Artworks
Schizophrenia by Alessandro Brighetti Revolves Around a Skull
73
Storm Aftermath Natural Prisms
Noah Kalina Captures the Beautiful Hurricane Sandy Rainbow
72
Mesmerizing Mother Nature Images
These Earth Photographs Honor the Envisat 10th Anniversary
71
Fantastical Floating Orbs
The ZeroN Levitated Interaction Element Defies Gravity
70
Low-Cost 3D Printers
Joseph Morris Discusses a Future with Personal Fabrication Technology
69
Digitalized Religious Practices
'Faith Condition' by Lukas Franciszkiewicz Challenges Digital Need
68
Heat-Regulating Brit Blazers
Blake London Uses NASA Technology to Keep Men Stylish and Warm
67
Scan-Coded Chemistry Charts
Artist Yiying Lu Gives the Periodic Table a QR Code Upgrade
66
Miniature Future Fighter Jets
Autonomous Nano Quadrotors are the Most Futuristic Invention Yet
65
Animated MRI Food Scans
Andy Ellison Creates Stunning GIFS of Fruits and Vegetables
64
Sustainable Floating Fish Farms
Kampachi Farms' Aquapods Raise Fish Without Harming Environment
63
Planetary Snapshot Apps (UPDATE)
The ‘Earth as Art’ Book is a Stunning Look at Nature
62
Mindful Manufacturing Cyborgs
‘Rethink Robotics’ Designs a Robot Capable of Working wi
61
Scientific Socializing Infographics
The Psychology of Social Networking Chart is Fascinating
60
Kitten Decision-Making Contraptions
Schrodinger's Cat Makes the Difficult Choices for You
59
Magical Sci-Fi Gloves
‘The Force Glove’ Will Teach Kids About Magnets in a Fun Way
58
Gigantic Galaxy Graphs
The 'Space Race Infographic' Puts the Entire Universe in One Chart
57
Phone Call-Responding Tatts
The Nokia Vibrating Tattoo Consists of Ferromagnetic Inks
56
Affordable Astronaut Apparel
Final Frontier Design Creates Economical Gear
55
Libido-Increasing Nasal Sprays
Tefina by Trimel Addresses Female Orgasmic Disorder
54
Astronaut-Accommodating Airports
The Virgin Galactic 'Spaceport America' is the First of Its Kind
53
Profound Scientist Posters
Megan Lee Celebrates Great Minds with Minimalist Silhouette Tributes
52
Mad Scientist Militarism Murals
The Blu Sardinia Wall Brings Attention to Italy's Chernobyl
51
Mountable Microscope Adapters
The Magnifi iPhone Photoadapter Case Connects to Optical Instruments
50
Creepy Mind-Controlled Couture
Mechapolypse Gown by Nange Magro Moves Via Concentration
49
Light-Sensitive Astronomy Cameras
The Nightscape 8300 CCD Camera Lets You Photograph the Universe
48
Excrement Energy Convertors
The Urine-Powered Generator Recycles Waste to Produce Electricity
47
Blustery Aerial Maps
The National Weather Service 'Wind Map' is an Airy View of the U.S.
46
Muscle Tissue Mammal Museums
The 'Animal Inside Out' Exhibit Will Make You Cringe at Every Corner
45
Microscopic Vegetation Portraits
Phy-Topic by Rob Kesseler Captures Vibrant Seeds and Pollen
44
Realistic Anatomical Jewelry
Wear Your Insides as Accessories with Designs by Lou Giesen
43
Exceptionally Compact Farming
Dawai House's 'Compact Hydroponics Container' is Condensed
42
Breathing Metal Walls
Doris Kim Sung's Work with Thermo-Bimetals is Inspired by Human Skin
41
Augmented Reality Surgeries
The CAMDASS May One Day Turn Astronauts Into Doctors
40
Crystalized Video Sculptures
Prismatica by Kit Webster is Whimsical and Fascinating
39
Stylish Bio-Magnetic Accessories
Geoff Wright's BlueField Jewelry Has Health-Boosting Properties
38
Mind-Reading Armbands
BodyWave Technology at CES 2012 is Mind-Control Without a Headset
37
Brain Beats Charts
The 'Music and Learning' Infographic Explains Why Tunes Are Smart
36
Astonishing Astrological Infographics
The ‘All 786 Known Planets to Scale’ Maps Space
35
Water-Soluble Wrappers
MonoSol Has Developed Edible and Dissolvable Food Packaging
34
Vibrating Energy Structures
The Vibro-Wind Piezoelectric Pads are Eco-Friendly
33
Automatic Specimen Stimulators
China Uses the Hands-Free ‘Sperm Extractor’ to Speed Up
32
Engineered Iridescent Fish
Scientists Injected Fluorescent Genes to Create Glow-in-the-Dark Fish
31
Twig-Covered Locomotive Platforms
Westbahnhof Train Station by Shahira Hammad is Rustic
30
Inflatable Flying Energy Sources
The 'Airborne Wind Turbine' is Sky-Bound for Sustainable Power
29
Moldable Magnetic Builders
Buckybars Provide Desktop Sculptural Amusement
28
Smartphone-Charging Vending Machines
The Chewing Gum Battery Concept Vends Portable Power Strips
27
Star Trek-Inspired Vessels
The USS Enterprise Replica is a Dream Come True for Trekkies
26
Kitten Predator Captures
Research Team Shares Photos and Video Taken with the Kitty Cam
25
Phytoplankton-Inspired Pavilions
The Cocoon_FS is a Portable Structure for PlanktonTech
24
Speedy Lightweight Laptops
The Acer Aspire S5 Ultrabook is Announced at CES 2012
23
Rocky Northern Light Abodes
The Hydraulic Power Station by Stein Harme Architecture is Mystical
22
Surreal Space Snapshots
The NASA ATREX Rocket Launch Left Stunning Streaks in the Sky
21
Stellar Cosmic Colony Paintings
John Berkey Illustrates Wondrous Images of Futuristic Spacecrafts
20
Weather Station Smartphone Apps
Netatmo Will Forecast the Climate in Real-Time
19
Atomic Bomb Mapping Apps
Nukemap Displays the Potential Damage of Nuclear Weapons on Major Cities
18
Removable Prosthetic Trainers
Nike Sole Was Inspired by World Record Holder Sarah Reinertsen
17
Excessively Comfortable Cycling Cushions
The Laterelle Bike Seats are Innovative and Modern
16
Melodic Everyday Objects
'An Instrument for the Sonification of Everyday Things' Makes Music
15
Outlet-Imitating Eco Chargers
The SunVolt Solar Power Station Charges Multiple Gadgets at Once
14
Medical O2 Masks
The Oxygen Rehabilitation Apparatus is a Futuristic Cell-Cleansing Accessory
13
Glucose-Communicating Contacts
Microsoft and Washington University Develop Blood Sugar Contacts
12
Vision-Controlling Apps
'Dream:ON' May Be Able to Adjust Your Midnight Thoughts
11
Biophotovoltaic-Inspired Furniture
The Moss Table Generates Electricity Through Photosynthesis
10
Mood-Sensing Autos
The RThropod Concept Car Connects on a Genetic Level with Drivers
9
Ballooning Portable Planetariums
The Inflativerse Offers a View of Space in No Time at All
8
Cosmic Cabernets
Ian Hutcheon's Meteorito Wine is Aged With a 4.5-Billion-Year-Old Meteorite
7
Wind-Generated H20
The Eole Water Turbine Purification System Grabs Liquid from Air
6
Movie Chemistry Ads
The CineGlobe International Film Festival Campaign is Inspired by Science
5
Artificial Mandibles
LayerWise & Research Institute Biomed Create 3D-Printed Jaw for 83-Year-Old
4
Wearable Muscle Stimulators
The Elektrodress Helps Individuals Suffering From Nerve Disorders
3
Toy Made Disability Chairs
Simon Burfield's 'The Lego Wheelchair' is Plastic
2
Powerful Weather Simulators
The FIU Wall of Wind Prevents Hurricane Destruction and Damage
1
Hilarious Extreme Weather Clips
The Ultimate Hurricane Reporter Fails Compilation is Amusing
Related Ideas
Exploding Pregnancy Photography
Patrice Laroche and Sandra Denis Explain Birth Through Humor
Carpentry Off-Cut Furniture
The Wood-con-fusion Series by Eli Chissick is Made out of Scraps
Storm Preparation Photography
Prepare for Hurricane Sandy with New York Precautionary Measures
Instagram Storm Blogs
The Hurricane Sandy Instacane Website Posts As-It-Happens Photos
Enduring Friendship Photography
The 'Misao the Big Mama and Fukumaru the Cat' Series is Touching
Storm Destruction Photography
These Beginner Hurricane Sandy Photos Are Devastating
Diverted Attention Infographs
The Perils of Multitasking Chart Explains Why Focusing is Key
3-in-1 Furniture
The #006 SideSeat by PROOFF is a Seat, Desk and Storage in One
Dirt-Wall Abodes
The Caterpillar House by Feldman Architecture is Made from the Ground It Sits On
Storm-Locating Maps
The Hurricane Sandy Crisis Map Helps to Prepare for This Natural Disaster
Fake Hurricane Features
The Fake Hurricane Sandy Photos are Trolling the Internet
Satellite Storm Snapshots
NASA Helps to Capture Monstrous Hurricane Sandy Pictures
Cantilevered Marble Furniture
The SUTIL Table is Made Out of Carrara Marble and Carbon Fiber
Futuristic City Makeovers
The Future of Architecture Project Explores Holistic Urban Concepts
Squirmy Edible Insects
The Jell-O Worm Tutorial is the Perfect Spooky Treat for Halloween
LEGO-Inspired Architecture
Turkish Company Designnobis Presents the D-Eco Brick
Animated Art
Trend Hunter Josh Triantafilou Presents Musical Paintings
Photo-Sharing App Outfits
Be a Literal Stereotype with the Instagram Hipster Halloween Costume
Smartphone Polaroid Cameras
The Impossible Instant Lab Turns iPhone Images into Real Photos
Wooden Geodesic Pavilions
The Peoples Meeting Dome Has a Geometric Organic Aesthetic
Tempestuous Public Photography
Julie Blackmon's Pictures Capture Everyday Life in Rich Detail
Zoo Habitat Photography
The Captive Landscapes Series Captures International Animal Enclosures
Heat-Leeching Chargers
EcoCharge by Ardavan Mirhosseini Absorbs Warmth for Power
Abstract Concept Photography
Karrah Kobus Photography is Surreal Serenity
Makeup-Covered Male Models
Robert Binda Narcissus Hero Portrays Exciting Attire
Perforated Accordion-like Pavilions
The Bowooss Bionic Optimized Wooden Shell is Eco-Conscious
Molten Domestic Vessels
Liquid Fusion by Atelier Peekaboo Explores the Formal Limits of Glass
Deathly Emoticon Ads
The Brake Don't Text and Drive Campaign Sends a Morbid Message
DIY Butterfly Wreaths
The ‘A Beautiful Mess’ Feather Garland is Easy to Make
Pooch Storm Protectors
The Greyhound Rain Coat Will Keep Your Dog Safe from Hurricane Sandy
Eclectic Industrial Eateries
The Amerikka Design Office Chico’s Restaurant is Bold
Up-Close Food Photographs
Electron Microscope Food Photography Looks at Everyday Edibles
Viral Starlet Storm Memes
The Hurricane Sandy Memes are Hopelessly Devoted to Humor
Solar Fan-Like Lighting
The Light Bird by Jang Eun Hyuk Opens and Closes Like a Fluttering Wing
Sustainable Seaside Shacks
The Kebony Boat House is an Eco-Friendly Take on Coastal Architecture
Deserted Urban Mecca Videos
'Empy America' Shows the City of New York During Hurricane Sandy
Foliage Framed Photography
Benoit Paille LSD Shows the Underside of Canopies
Contemporary Foldable Farmhouses
The Cultural Centre Léonce-Georges Fuses Modernity and Tradi
Curvaceous Window Architecture
The Schlump One Hamburg by J. Mayer H. Modernizes the Cityscape
Interactive Disrobing Adds
The Wonderbra Decoder App Lets You Uncover the Wonderful Secret
Soaring Sphere Installations
Long Wave by David Rokeby Represents Invisible Radio Frequencies
Wheel Mounted Photography
NYC by Bike Photo Series Captures the City at Wheel Level
Public Snoozing Photography
The John Clang Beon Sleeps Project Tells People to Relax
Luminary Weather Artwork
The Caitlan r.c. Brown CLOUD Installation is a Public Night Light
Effervescent Cityscape Photography
Chris Eayres’s ‘BY-PASS_NY’ Heartbeat Art Giv
Artsy Abandoned Street Photographs
Bert Danckaert Photography Makes City Streets Into Works of Art
Blood Vessel Buildings
The El Raval Performing Arts Center Will Bring New Life into a Neighborhood
Tent-Inspired Furnishings
The Capri Sun Collection is Made of Metal Connectors and Wooden Sticks
Desktop Bamboo Walking Machine
The Humble Velocipede is Inspired by Theo Jansen's Strandbeest
Folded Transparent Cottages
The Zeroplus Architects Sneeoosh Cabin Brings the Outdoors Inside
Personified Insect Photography
Laurent Seroussi Transforms Women into Stylish Bugs
Patriarchal Menswear Spreads
The LVR 'This is a Man's World' Borrows from Gender Theories
Online Branding Infographics
This Sensible Social Media Checklist is a Guideline for Businesses
Cascading Chair Exhibits
The E/B Office SEAT Installation is Stacked
Instagram Camera Commercials (UPDATE)
ADR Studio Unveils an Advert on the Socialmatic Camera
Comfy Color-Blocked Seaters
The Iris Sofa by DIZANJO Exudes a Playful Spirit
Charming Boyish Editorials
The Fashion Gone Rogue 'It’s a Boy Thing' Editorial is a Gender B
Animated Street Art GIFS
ABVH Brings to Life Banksy Masterpieces
Storm Aftermath Natural Prisms
Noah Kalina Captures the Beautiful Hurricane Sandy Rainbow
Composed Cubic Constructions
The Housing in Onmae by VIDZ Architects is Grid-Like
Abandoned Historical Photography
The Timothy Allen 'Forget Your Past' Series is Daunting
Simplistic School-Boy Runways
The SISE Spring/Summer 2013 Collection Embraces Modern Minimalism
Weather Distorted Facades
The Brisbane Airport Kinetic Parking Garage Transforms with Wind
Eco-Friendly Plantable Pencils
The Sprout Pencil Will Grow a Plant Once You're Done With It
Adorable Heartache Ads
The Bonjela Teething Gel Campaign Focuses on Childhood Woes
Paper Cut-Out Graffiti
The Miriam Londono Artwork Layers Paper Words to Create Textiles
Camera Kitchen Accessories
The f/60 Lens Kitchen Timer is Ideal for Shutterbug Chefs
Blown-Up Tartan Print Fashion
Black Fleece 2012 Fall/Winter Collection Has Scottish Flavor
Storm Formation Videos (UPDATE)
The NASA Hurricane Sandy Footage Shows How It Began
Biblical Script Ads
The Sao Paolo Jewish Film Festival Campaign is a Play on Religion
Naughty-Inspired Sweets
These Edible Phallic Snacks Invokes Interesting Thoughts
Optimized Sports Recorders
The E-Clips Action Camera Can Document More Dynamic Scenes
Cheeky Commentary Graffiti
The Mobstr 'Playing with the Buff Man' Series is Rebellious
Robotic Aquatic Creatures
The Robofish by Takara Tomy Makes Owning a Pet Super Low Maintenance
Staggering Social Media Statistics
The Twitter by the Numbers Infographic Boasts Big Numbers
Celebrity Marionette Storefronts
Ariel Weber Unveils Holiday Window Displays with a Parisian Twist
Cocoon-Like Suspended Beds
The Skeeter Beeter Pro Hammock Keeps You Safe from Mosquitos
Crowdsourced Pizza Cars
Domino's Ultimate Delivery Vehicle Contest Asks for Consumer Help
Alcohol Orchestras
Marissa Liu Uncovers a Viral Music Video Made with Wine
Ghostly Glass Tables
The Shift Side Table Takes an Intriguing and Impossibly Abstract Form
Interior Blazer Designs
A Suit That Fits Contrates on Customized Patterns and Sketches
Hilly Eco-Friendly Houses
The E+ Green Home by Unsangdong Architects is Organic and Geometric
Unearthed Flora Photography
The William Rugen New Botanicals Unroots Natural Beauty
Blade-Less Turbines
The Saphonian by Saphon Energy is Inspired by the Sails of a Boat
Sleek Gem-Inspired Jackets
Guylook’s Diamond Quilting Blazer Coat Makes Winter Suiting Luxe
Lunchtime Rave Parties
Armida Ascano Discusses the Craze of Raving During Lunch Breaks in Sweden
Glow-in-the-Dark Blazers
Highlight Your Figure on the Dance Floor Wearing the Light Up Suit Jacket
Cutting-Edge Camera Smartphones
The Samsung Galaxy Digital Camera Adopts the Apps of Mobile Phones
Transportable Wind Turbines
The Portable Power Center Brings Electricity to Remote Areas
Lifeless City Time-Lapses
Empty America Seattle Captures the City in a Post-Apocalyptic Manner
Disaster Dating Videos
Trend Hunter Robyn Currie Showcases Not-So-Suave Suitor Reels
Playful Food Photography (UPDATE)
The Stephanie Gonot Still Life Snaps Show Obscure Foods
Haunting Halloween GIFs
The Saline Project's Toht Images Anticipate the Coming of Halloween
Grayscale Menswear Captures
Linda Evangelista for Interview Russia September 2012 is Sophisticated
Emergency Refuge Igloos
The Recurs(h)ive Project Would Provide Shelter to Those With Totaled Homes
Personal Daily Time-Lapse Films
The Noah Kalina Self Portait Video is a Trip Through Time
Outlet-Imitating Eco Chargers
The SunVolt Solar Power Station Charges Multiple Gadgets at Once
Custom Chocolates
Trend Hunter Susan Keefe Uncovers an Idea That Encourages Playing with Food
Sun-Responsive Roofs
The Casa em Movimento Moves East to West For Optimal Energy Harnessing
Seafaring Security Cyborgs
The BIOSwimmer is an Autonomous Techno Tuna that Detects Bombs
Wooden Pixelated Wall Art
These Mauricio Buitrago Pieces are Stunning
Hybrid Creature Portraits
The Vladimir Stankovic 'Cephalopodoptera' Series Merges Animals
Retro Fashion Films
Trend Hunter Sarah Robson Uncovers Patriotic Style Videos
Acoustic Handset Alcoves
The Good Up Amplifier Softens Harsh Sounds for Improved Coclear Comfort
Health-Monitoring Apps
What's My Heart Rate? Measures Simply by Looking at Your Phone
DIY Clothing Ball Removals
The Fabulous on a Budget Video Improves the Quality of Clothing
Utilitarian Forecasting Apps
Weathercube Uses Gestures to Provide Daily Visual Forecasts
Intergalactic Nomad Videos
The 'Obraz-EveryBodyGonnaDie' Short Extinguishes Fear
Carefree Robotic Pet Fish
Enjoy Aquatic Critters without the Responsibility with Robo-Fish
Egg-Shaped Automobiles
The uCar by Garcia-Verdugo Makes the One Man Commute More Eco-Friendly
Energy-Saving Computer Apps
GreenCam Will Turn Off Your Monitor For You When You Step Away
Cyborg Social Media Charts
Learn From the 'Everyone on Twitter is a Robot' Infographic
Superhero Mashups
Trend Hunter Annie Ho Takes a Look at Morphing Batman Characters
Nature-Masquerading Campaigns
These Off Insect Repellent Ads Reassure You That You'll Blend in
Curvaceous Canopied Retreats
The Palais Thermal Spa is Breezy and Breathtaking
Electro-Rocking Rhythm Robots
Stickboy Drumming Robot Has Its Own Version of Electronic Music
Bulky Shutterbug Accessories
The $2 Million Leica Lens Weighs in at Over 100 Pounds
Sound-Focusing Devices
The SoundLazer Allows for Individualized Listening Experiences
Compact Neck-Hung Cameras
The Autographer Wearable Camera Makes You an Unintentional Paparazzi
Lightning Energy Electronic Bars
The Bolt Power Strip Will Smite Your Devices with Battery Life
Soldier Pop Song Parodies
The US Army 'Call Me Maybe' Cover Launches Off
Graffiti-Hunting Apps
Trend Hunter Vivian Lau Reveals Art Apps That Showcase Public Work
Powerful Weather Simulators
The FIU Wall of Wind Prevents Hurricane Destruction and Damage
Galaxy-Capturing Apps
The MySky App Lets Amateur Astronomers Control Professional Telescopes
Illuminating Iridescent Desserts
Black Light Cupcakes Will Make Adults Act Like Children Again
Hilarious Extreme Weather Clips
The Ultimate Hurricane Reporter Fails Compilation is Amusing
Buoyant Jellyfish Repellents
The Ocean Guard Wards Off These Pesky Stingers in Swimming Areas
Goldfish Glamor Competitions
China Hosts the First Ever International Goldfish Championship
Minimalist Fashion Films
Trend Hunter Sarah Moore Discusses Simplistic Lighting Techniques
Historically Recognized Electronics
The Casio QV-10 Digital Camera Gets Commemorated
Compilation Fan Video Shorts
The Gotye 'Somebodies' Covers Parodies of the Popular Song