Tech
- Physics
Explainer: What is the electric grid?
Most of us get electricity through a huge system of power lines and equipment that together are known as the electric grid. Here’s how it works.
- Physics
High-speed video reveals the best way to shoot a rubber band
What’s the best way to shoot a rubber band? High-speed video reveals how to avoid hitting your thumb.
- Tech
MythBusters Jr. puts kids in charge of testing myths — for science
Six young makers and scientists become official MythBusters in this new Science Channel series.
- Health & Medicine
What makes Aquaman special? He can take a lot of pressure
The new Aquaman movie makes life under the sea look pretty glamorous. In fact, we puny humans probably couldn’t take the pressure.
- Oceans
This robotic jellyfish is a climate spy
Scientists have developed a robotic jellyfish to collect data about the ocean. It’s small and nimble, and gentle on marine ecosystems.
- Earth
Car tires and brakes spew harmful microplastics
Wear and tear on car tires, brakes and roads releases harmful microplastics to the air. These end up polluting waterways and harming fragile ecosystems.
- Science & Society
New smoke alarm tests a mother’s touch
Smoke alarms are intended to wake people at signs of a house fire. But standard alarms don’t wake kids as well as a new type that issues warnings in mom’s voice, new data show.
- Life
Electro-tweezers let scientists safely probe cells
These nanotweezers can sample the innards of cells without killing them. They use an electric field to net materials for study. And they are gentle enough to repeatedly probe the same cell.
- Computing
These young researchers take aim at sports
Three Broadcom MASTERS finalists invented sports-related devices. They illustrate that young inventors can find inspiration anywhere, even at work and play.
- Earth
New ways to clean up polluted sources of drinking water
Some 21 million people in the United States may get drinking water from sources that are polluted. Some new water treatments promise to greatly lower costs or tackle formerly hard-to-remove pollutants.
- Computing
This printer makes ‘visual’ aids for people with sight problems
A physicist’s vision loss was the inspiration to develop new printers. They create touch-to-read maps, charts and graphs. Some can even talk to blind users.
- Computing
New apps match donated items with people in need
Two 2018 Broadcom MASTERS finalists developed apps to help match donors’ aid of food or disaster relief with the people who need these.
