Engineering Design

  1. Tech

    This teen engineer’s device sniffs out common food allergens

    Inspired by his own severe food allergies, Thermo Fisher JIC finalist Samvith Mahadevan built a device to protect people from allergen exposure.

    By Maria Temming
  2. Tech

    For teens, virtual reality worlds aren’t all fun and games

    More than a third of surveyed teens who used VR headsets reported they had experienced hate speech, bullying or harassment in virtual reality environments.

    By Kathiann Kowalski
  3. Tech

    Move over Iron Man, exoskeletons are getting real 

    Real-world wearable devices help people stay safe at work and accomplish everyday tasks.

    By Aaron Tremper
  4. Space

    Jane Rigby helped make the James Webb telescope a superstar 

    The senior project scientist for the JWST, Rigby believes being part of the LGBTQ+ community has made her a better astronomer.

    By Lisa Grossman
  5. Tech

    A lucky lab accident produces Spider-Man-like silk

    Researchers found a way to mimic Spider-Man’s web shooters in real life. This is the first adhesive that can stick to and lift things from a distance.

    By Kathryn Hulick
  6. Artificial Intelligence

    Want your own AI double? There could be big benefits — and risks

    People are using AI to mimic their own voice, likeness and personality. Some are excited about these new digital clones. Others worry, what could go wrong?

    By Kathryn Hulick
  7. Artificial Intelligence

    AI job-screening tools are very prejudiced, study finds

    AI job-screening tools ranked white-associated names higher than Black-sounding ones. Male names also were preferred. Black male names were never favored.

    By Payal Dhar
  8. Plants

    Plant and fungi parts help robots level up

    Fusing machines with plants and fungi isn’t just sci-fi. A new generation of biohybrid devices could someday help in agriculture or energy production.

    By Aaron Tremper
  9. Computing

    Explainer: What is the internet?

    The internet is a massive structure made up of cables, routers, exchange points, data centers, cell towers, antennas and more. All sorts of devices share data using this network.

    By Kathryn Hulick
  10. Tech

    Bird-inspired airplane wings could boost flight performance

    Rows of flaps inspired by a bird wings’ feathers improve airfoil performance to boost lift and reduce drag.

    By Nikk Ogasa
  11. Tech

    To stay cool, some future homes may build on past power-free tech

    Accordion-pleated walls and other heat-managing structures could cool homes in hot, dry places naturally — without electricity.

    By Diya Dwarakanath
  12. Tech

    A man silenced by paralysis got his ‘voice’ back, thanks to AI

    New computer-linked brain implants offer hope to those who have lost the ability to speak or move.

    By Jennifer Junghans