Engineering Design

Tech

Lasers can eavesdrop on microbes, including viruses

They can sometimes identify not only the types, but also how many there are. One day, lasers might be able to keep track of what germs are around us.

Physics

How polarized and UV-blocking sunglasses protect our eyes

Their filters can cut glare to help us see more clearly. The best ones also filter out the sun’s UV rays — even on cloudy days — to limit eye damage.

Health & Medicine

TikTok skincare routines may cause more harm than good

Many videos used lots of costly skincare products full of potential irritants. And most left out the most important way to care for your skin: sun protection.

Planets

Here’s how future Martians might take their first breaths 

Mars would need an atmosphere thick enough to hold heat and with enough oxygen for people to breathe. This is how we might terraform Mars.

Tech

Scientists Say: Prototype

These rough draft models help engineers test how a concept translates from theory to reality.

Artificial Intelligence

This researcher investigates the risks of digitally cloning the dead  

Katarzyna Nowaczyk-Basińska investigates the risk of AI-driven grief bots — while commuting between Poland and England.

Tech

This 3-D printed robot runs on air, not electricity

The soft, flexible robot can cover uneven ground and even walk underwater.

Environment

New ocean sanctuaries house young coral and even flee peril

Two ISEF finalists want to foster growth of new coral reefs. So these teens designed and built self-navigating, undersea houseboats for coral larvae.

Tech

This squirrel-like robot has some serious hops

Salto the jumping robot has a claw-like gripper. Like a squirrel, it can adjust its movement to help it stay balanced to stick a landing on "branches."

Life

Research without lab animals? New tech is making it possible

For decades, scientists have worked to phase out the use of animals in research. AI, ‘lungs’ on a chip and more are bringing that goal closer.

Environment

Eco-friendly sunscreen? That’s bananas!

Bananas make their own natural sunscreens. A teen thinks these could work to protect our skin as well, while being safe for aquatic life.

Tech

You can ‘grab’ these virtual displays and manipulate them midair

Such interactive floating graphics and virtual objects could be used to make more immersive video games and museum exhibits.