Engineering Design

  1. Computing

    New device gets power from 5G signals grabbed from the air

    A new way to harvest electricity relies on a tiny array of antennas and a lens. Together, they collect and focus 5G signals coming from any direction.

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  2. Physics

    Why big nuts always rise to the top

    X-rays scans of a box of mixed nuts now reveal why large Brazil nuts rise to the top.

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  3. Chemistry

    Copper ‘foam’ could be used as filters for COVID-19 masks

    The lightweight new material could serve as a washable and recyclable, eco-friendly alternative for many current mask filters.

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  4. Physics

    Staying grounded in space requires artificial gravity

    On TV, people in space walk around like they’re on Earth. How can science give real astronauts artificial gravity? Spin right round, baby.

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  5. Physics

    Scientists discover likely source of the moon’s faint yellow tail

    These sodium atoms are part of the debris kicked up from the moon’s surface, mostly by micrometeorites, two new studies conclude.

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  6. Chemistry

    New recycling technologies could keep more plastic out of landfills

    Recycling plastics is really hard — especially into useful materials. But new chemical tricks could make recycling easier.

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  7. Brain

    Patterns in brain activity can identify who will struggle to read

    Certain patterns of brain activity predict whether teens are strong readers or will struggle. Those diagnostic patterns show up even when doing math.

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  8. Chemistry

    Level up your demonstration: Make it an experiment

    What’s the difference between a demonstration and an experiment? Questions, measurements and many, many replications.

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  9. Earth

    Light levitation might help explore Earth’s ‘ignorosphere’

    A toy called a light mill inspired researchers to invent a new way to fly. They’re using light to levitate small nanotube-coated discs.

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  10. Space

    Ingenuity helicopter makes history by flying on Mars

    The copter's 40-second-long flight in the Red Planet’s thin air is only the first in a planned series of daring flights.

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  11. Health & Medicine

    Bandages made from crab shells speed healing

    The chitin in seafood wastes, insect “bones” and fungi is a chemist’s dream. Used in a new medical dressing, it beats regular gauze for wound healing.

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  12. Health & Medicine

    Could a toothpaste help treat peanut allergy?

    By rolling an immune therapy into a toothbrushing routine, one company hopes to show its product can build and maintain tolerance to peanut allergens.

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