It’s a wonderful world — and universe — out there.

Invention & Innovation

A series made possible with generous support from The Lemelson Foundation.

Tech
A shape-shifting robotic tooth-cleaner might one day brush for you

By Kathryn HulickNovember 11, 2022
Materials Science
These fabrics change color as they stretch

By Kathryn HulickNovember 4, 2022
Chemistry
No trees were harmed to 3-D print this piece of wood

By Katie Grace CarpenterSeptember 23, 2022
Chemistry
No sun? No prob! A new process might soon grow plants in the dark

By Katie Grace CarpenterSeptember 7, 2022
Physics
This leaping robot can out-jump anything — animal or machine

By Kathryn HulickAugust 22, 2022
Health & Medicine
Patches and robotic pills may one day replace injections

By Katie Grace CarpenterMay 16, 2022
Animals
Like bloodhounds, worms are sniffing out human cancers

By Katie Grace CarpenterMay 9, 2022
Science & Society
This sun-powered system delivers energy as it pulls water from the air

By Laura AllenMay 2, 2022

Materials Science
This new fabric can ‘hear’ sounds or broadcast them

By Carolyn WilkeApril 29, 2022
Chemistry
New cloth cools you when you’re hot, warms you when you’re cold

By Katie Grace CarpenterApril 18, 2022
Materials Science
Engineers borrow a tree’s cellulose to toughen new materials

By Kathryn HulickApril 4, 2022
Tech
A new device uses atoms’ quantum weirdness to peer underground

By Maria TemmingMarch 30, 2022