As an increasingly connected world generates ever-more data sets, and the tools to examine and analyze those data sets become easier to use, the fields of data visualization and illustration (called infographics as a catch-all term), have enjoyed something of a renaissance. We dug through our archives and the archives of our favorite infovis blogs to find some of our favorite science-related infographics from the past year.
To make the grade, we look for science-themed infographics that are engaging--either literally as an interactive graphic or metaphorically due to excellent design aesthetics. The infographic also must clearly communicate the concept being presented--it must tell a complete story, allowing the reader to draw his or her own conclusions rather than having to be told what the answer might be.
Click through to see which ones we chose.
Five amazing, clean technologies that will set us free, in this month's energy-focused issue. Also: how to build a better bomb detector, the robotic toys that are raising your children, a human catapult, the world's smallest arcade, and much more.


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Seven Minutes of Terror for Mars Curiosity is my favorite Science Infographic for 2012. But hey, enjoy following Mars Curiosity most of all, anyways!
Give yourself a break and others around you, forgive.
And really begin the year new with the wisdom not to repeat you same mistakes.
God Bless all and I wish all a
Happy-WoWzers New Years!