Tech

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

This device creates rainbows of sound

A plastic structure separates the pitches in mixed sounds like white noise, much like a rainbow spreads out colors of light.

Tech

Pickleballs inspire a new way to reduce drag on vehicles

Dimples in a skin can be adjusted on demand to reduce drag or to steer where a vehicle goes.

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.

Physics

Here’s how rainwater might one day power some of your lights

In tests, the electricity that water droplets made was small, but kept a dozen LEDs lit. This tech might one day power clean energy for wet or rainy places.

Animals

These fish yawn — and it’s contagious

Zebrafish are the first cold-blooded animals known to behave this way. Contagious yawning may affect other behaviors in these fish, too.

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.

Space

Scientists Say: Quasi-satellite

Unlike a true satellite, these tagalongs orbit outside a planet’s primary sphere of gravitational control.

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."