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

Invention & Innovation

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

Tech
Synthetic trees could tap underground water in arid areas

By Sid PerkinsSeptember 24, 2021
Materials Science
Tiny swimming robots may help clean up a microplastics mess

By Stephen OrnesSeptember 10, 2021
Tech
Headphones or earmuffs could replace needles in some disease testing

By Sid PerkinsAugust 27, 2021
Chemistry
New glue offers to turn any small walking robot into Spider-Man

By Shi En KimAugust 18, 2021
Life
No animal died to make this steak

By Stephen OrnesMay 21, 2021
Computing
New device gets power from 5G signals grabbed from the air

By Kathryn HulickMay 17, 2021
Chemistry
Copper ‘foam’ could be used as filters for COVID-19 masks

By Sid PerkinsMay 11, 2021
Earth
Light levitation might help explore Earth’s ‘ignorosphere’

By Kathryn HulickApril 21, 2021

Climate
Surfing the winds would make future jet travel greener

By Harini BarathApril 16, 2021
Health & Medicine
Bandages made from crab shells speed healing

By Silke SchmidtApril 14, 2021
Physics
New ‘ionic wind’ can dry foods while preserving nutrients

By Sid PerkinsMarch 2, 2021
Materials Science
Super-absorbent swab could curb errors in COVID-19 testing

By Kathiann KowalskiFebruary 17, 2021