Best of 2018

Another year is winding up, so it's time to look back at the scientific breakthroughs that excited us this year. From innovative new materials that open the door to more advanced tools and products, to discoveries that continue to push the borders of human knowledge, 2018 didn't fail to deliver.

How we store that energy is a constant work in progress, and while scientists are making important but incremental advances with inventive new materials, others are out to entirely reinvent what we think of as a battery. Here are five of the most innovative examples from 2018.

When it comes to space travel, and space in genera​l, 2018 has been a busy year. It was one marked by remarkable technological firsts, dramatic incidents, and new milestones set. Oh, and space champagne. So, let's look back on the highlights of the year in space, 2018.

From alien architecture to neon water reflections, the last 12 months have delivered a stunning array of photographic treats. To celebrate the new year we have hand-picked a collection of the most mind-bending, sublime, and spectacular photographs we've been treated to in 2018.

In 2018 we witnessed developments that pave the way for a future where AI systems could heal us, harm us, or even teach us. Here are the highlights from a fascinating year of advances in artificial intelligence.

The camera world didn't offer up a whole lot of big surprises in 2018. The trends that became clear in 2017 were taken to new heights, with big sensor mirrorless rigs taking center stage, putting medium format and full frame horsepower into ever smaller and lighter bodies.

The more we see #vanlife move into everyday Americana, the more we wonder if it jumped the shark. But if this year's crop of inventive new van campers is an indicator, #vanlife is plenty healthy. The market put out new options for everyone from cash-strapped post-grads to adventurous families.

Pretty soon we'll all be zipping around in self-driving, self-charging taxi pods. Before we do, we'll keep peeking into the future through the high-powered lens of concept cars. This year's most memorable concepts included retro electrics, next-gen hypercars and an uncommon type of off-road hybrid.

Alongside new discoveries in gut-brain communication and the genesis of Alzheimer’s disease, the FDA advanced acceptance of psychedelic medicines, from psilocybin to marijuana. But looming over all of these milestones was the controversial alleged birth of the world’s first gene-edited baby.

It's probably fair to say 2018 hasn't been the world's most revolutionary year in production bikes, no matter how crazy things have been in the electric market and around the edges of the scene. But there have still been some shining lights – here's our favourite new bikes from 2018!

The best gift of all may well be love, but surely a million dollar supercar or a lavish yacht can't be too far behind on the list. It's in this vein that each year we look back at the most excessive, exorbitant and often absurd examples of luxury living that we've stumbled across.

The last 12 months have been pretty fascinating in the world of motorcycles, so we've gone through the archives to bring you the best new technologies, riding gear, interviews, customs and electric motorcycles of 2018.