Not every show leaves a lasting legacy quite like Star Trek. Its aspirational, imaginative storytelling that highlights wonders from around the universe and reflects on the surrounding society of every series’ time has been inspirational to generations of scientific minds.
That’s why, every year on Star Trek Day (September 8th), fans celebrate the enduring legacy of a franchise that has inspired generations of scientists, engineers, and innovators.
With a viewpoint of equality, letting everyone find their best place for their skills, and expanding knowledge of technology, science, and the universe about us as its base, the show continues to drive people to make what they saw a reality.
While the series spans fields such as medicine, physics, and astronomy, chemistry is particularly central, driving innovations in materials, pharmaceuticals, and diagnostic technology.
In this post:
Key Takeaways
Star Trek’s depiction of portable diagnostic devices has inspired the development of real-time genetic testing tools
The concept of the replicator has influenced advancements in 3D printing and additive manufacturing
Hypospray technology has led to the creation of needle-free injection systems
The communicator’s evolution into modern mobile phones highlights the advancement of communication technology
Everyday Science Inspired by Fiction
While it may not be immediately obvious what has been influenced by the show to someone looking in, those who have watched practically any season can see how much of it has become a part of our everyday lives.
Here are some key examples of aspirational science fiction turned into reality.
Portable Diagnostic Devices
Advances in biotechnology have led to portable devices capable of analysing genetic material, detecting diseases, and monitoring health conditions in real time.
Devices such as the Swift Ray 1 allows for medical-grade images through smartphones, while the MinION DNA tester echo the tricorder’s real-time analytical capabilities.
These devices rely heavily on chemical principles like molecular spectroscopy and electrochemical sensing
3D Printing and Additive Manufacturing
Modern 3D printing techniques can produce complex objects from digital designs, including medical implants, prosthetics, and even food. It’s no wonder it’s a growing field across different engineering avenues.
One example is how researchers at institutions like UC Berkeley are developing advanced additive manufacturing technologies inspired by the replicator, with many citing Star Trek as their reason to create and improve the technology.
Needle-Free Injection Systems
Needle-free injection systems, such as jet injectors, deliver medications without traditional needles.
These devices are inspired by Star Trek’s hypospray technology, and have been an incredible step forward in treatment options alongside biological buffers and similar devices.
Mobile Communication Devices
The communicator’s evolution into modern smartphones demonstrates how Star Trek envisioned ubiquitous mobile communication.
Features such as voice recognition, wireless connectivity, and touchscreen interfaces reflect its influence, and have served as aspirational markers for many designers and developers alike.
Food Replication and Molecular Gastronomy
The replicator also inspires work in molecular gastronomy, where chemists manipulate ingredients at a molecular level to create new textures and flavours across the food industry.
Techniques such as spherification and foaming are chemical processes that echo the show’s futuristic food technologies.
Environmental Chemistry and Planetary Exploration
The series often features planets with unique chemical environments, which has parallels in real-world astrochemistry and geochemistry, and often makes use of diagnostic reagents to make out the components.
The far-off future has also inspired many to study chemical signatures on other planets and moons to search for signs of life and to understand extra-terrestrial materials, with some strong signals appearing from studies revealed in 2025 of life beyond our own planet.
Why Shows Like Star Trek Keep Capturing Scientific Imagination
Star Trek isn’t just a TV show, it’s a glimpse into the future. Every episode is packed with awe-inspiring ideas, from starships that defy gravity to devices that can heal injuries in moments.
Watching the crew explore uncharted worlds and tackle impossible problems sparks a sense of wonder that makes you believe anything could be possible.
What makes Star Trek truly magical is how it blends gripping stories with science that feels real. It turns curiosity into adventure and the pursuit of knowledge into a thrilling quest.
You start to imagine: What if we really could create a warp drive, cure diseases with a handheld device, or power our cities with limitless clean energy?
Star Trek invites you to think like an engineer, a physicist, a chemist, or a biologist, even if you’re just sitting on your couch.
Its optimistic vision of science as a force for good doesn’t just entertain, it challenges us to take bold ideas from our imagination and make them real.
The line between fiction and fact feels excitingly thin, and that’s what keeps innovators dreaming and building the impossible.
Conclusion
Star Trek proves that science fiction and reality are closely intertwined, and the lasting legacy can be felt even today. Exploring chemistry, physics, and biology in imaginative ways has led the series to encourage scientists to push the boundaries of possibility. Its influence is visible in laboratories, hospitals, and research centres, turning ‘fictional’ technologies into tomorrow’s scientific breakthroughs.
