Technology glossary

World Simulation

A computational model that represents an environment and how its objects, agents, and physical or social processes change over time. It can be used for games, scientific research, robotics training, forecasting, and testing decisions safely.

Wrinkle Ridge

A low, sinuous ridge formed when horizontal compression folds and faults volcanic plains or other layered terrain. Planetary geologists use the length and geometry of wrinkle ridges to estimate how much a surface has shortened.

X-Ray Tomography

A non-destructive imaging method that reconstructs the internal three-dimensional structure of an object from X-ray measurements taken at many angles. Differences in X-ray attenuation reveal density and material variations without cutting the object open.

Xenotransplantation

The transplantation of living cells, tissues or organs from one species into another. In medicine, the term commonly describes using genetically modified pig organs in human recipients.

Zeolite

A porous crystalline material with regularly sized channels that can selectively trap or exchange molecules and ions.