Engineering Design
- Tech
AI can now turn blurry thermal vision into crisp images
Even when it’s pitch black, the new imaging system can create clear images while also accurately gauging distances to objects.
- Tech
Magic, cooking and droids inspire this roboticist
Dennis Hong and his team design human-like robots that can help solve problems and also entertain.
- Tech
New glasses can ‘hear’ what you lip sync — and tell your phone
The lip-reading device enables voice commands without the voice. The glasses determine what their wearer is saying by tracking facial movements.
- Space
New telescope images may unveil stars fueled by dark matter
Three objects from the early universe could be hypothesized “dark stars,” researchers claim. But other scientists remain unconvinced.
- Science & Society
Top 10 tips for how Gen Z’ers can get the best online experiences
Emerging data point to how today’s teens can maximize their screen time’s benefits while limiting its risks.
- Tech
Could Star Trek replicators exist?
Experts break down what’s possible and what’s not for this classic science-fiction invention.
- Tech
Nanobots can now enter brain cells to spy on what they’re doing
Fleets of advanced versions may one day be able to detect disease and then go about surgically treating it — without ever opening the skull.
- Materials Science
Made from fungi, this vegan leather can self-heal holes or rips
If made under gentle conditions, leather formed from the “roots” of mushrooms can retain the ability to regrow and repair minor damage.
- Tech
This electronic bandage sterilizes wounds with flashes of light
Dentists have sterilized medical equipment with ultraviolet-C light for years. Applying this tech to bandages had proven a challenge — until now.
- Tech
Gravity ‘batteries’ might help a weighty renewable-energy problem
To store the energy generated by wind and solar power, researchers are looking at mammoth systems that raise and lower weights.
- Tech
New device can harvest clean energy from humid air anywhere
Unlike solar power, this new source of electricity is available day or night.
- Tech
What is my pet saying? Scientists are working to find out
Researchers are using artificial intelligence for pet-translation apps. One day, it might put into words what our furry friends are vocalizing.
