Sid Perkins

Freelance Writer

Sid is a freelance science journalist. He lives in Crossville, Tenn., with his wife, two dogs and three cats. He specializes in earth sciences and paleontology but often tackles topics such as astronomy, planetary science, materials science and engineering. 

 

In 2009, Sid won the Award for Distinguished Science Journalism in the Atmospheric and Related Sciences from the American Meteorological Society. And in 2002, he shared the American Astronomical Society’s Solar Physics Division’s Award for Popular Writing on Solar Physics. Sid’s writing also appears in Science, Nature, Scientific American, the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences and Science News.

All Stories by Sid Perkins

  1. Environment

    Can concrete conquer air pollution?

    Powdered concrete could remove the sulfur dioxide and other pollutants that are spewed into the air when electric-power plants burn fossil fuels, a lab study suggests.

  2. Microbes

    Plant extract mutes germs to fight infections

    A plant extract prevents the aggressive behavior seen in some germs. Using it could fight the development of most bladder infections, a teen’s research suggests.

  3. Tech

    Maybe ‘shade balls’ should not be balls

    So-called shade balls have a range of uses in water reservoirs, from cutting evaporation to reducing the growth of algae. But the best performers might not actually be balls, a Florida teen now shows.

  4. Brain

    When is an epileptic seizure about to strike?

    Two high-school research projects suggest ways to identify early warnings of a coming epileptic seizure. This might give people time to free themselves from potentially dangerous activities.

  5. Tech

    Needle-free blood typing may be on the way

    A teen in Kuwait presents data suggesting how, one day, it may be possible to figure out your blood type just by shining infrared light into your skin.

  6. Tech

    Teen’s invention could help light up bikes at night

    A teen researcher from Georgia has developed a light that could replace reflectors on bike wheels. Flexing tires provide all the power it needs.

  7. Tech

    Teens garner some $4 million in prizes at 2017 Intel ISEF

    Hundreds of teens collectively took home about $4 million in awards from the Intel International Science and Engineering Fair this week.

  8. Tech

    A better way to stop a bullet?

    A teen researcher's tests suggest that fabric body armor might stop bullets better if it were woven using a three-fiber, triangular mesh instead of the typical two-fiber-mesh configuration.

  9. Tech

    Teen’s invention can warn of deadly rip currents

    A teen lifeguard from Australia has invented a buoy that can alert swimmers to the strong, swift and deadly rip currents that can sweep them dangerously far offshore.

  10. Materials Science

    Nanowires made from silver are super stretchy

    When silver nanowires stretch slowly, atoms on their surface can spread to heal weak spots. The discovery could lead to more flexible electronics.

  11. Earth

    Beyond diamonds: Search is on for rare carbon crystals

    A search for previously undiscovered carbon minerals was announced in December 2015. Researchers have begun finding a handful and are actively scouting for dozens more.

  12. Chemistry

    Scientists know that you pee in the pool

    A new way to find urine in pools and hot tubs measures the concentration of an artificial sweetener in the water.