Tech
- Materials Science
Goo-oozing deicer protects surfaces
New, slime-oozing coating might someday help reduce ice and snow buildups on road signs and aircraft wings. The inspiration? The goo produced by slugs.
- Microbes
Plastic that mimics insect wings kills bacteria
A new ‘antibiotic’ plastic uses nanotechnology to mimic the hairs on insect wings. Then ouch! Bacterial cells that land on it end up stabbing themselves to death.
- Climate
Cool Jobs: The power of wind
Science and engineering careers explore all aspects of wind, from terrible tornadoes to aeronautics and clean energy.
- Tech
Lost in the woods? A drone may find you
Scientists developed a new method to give drones the skills to follow hiking trails in search of lost hikers.
- Brain
When smartphones go to school
Students who use smartphones and other mobile technology in class may well be driven to distraction. And that can hurt grades, studies show.
- Health & Medicine
Ouchless measles vaccine could save lives
A new ‘ouchless’ vaccine patch that uses dissolving microneedles could make efforts to vaccinate against measles more practical.
- Health & Medicine
New devices coming to assist the disabled
New technologies, including motorized prosthetics and stair-climbing wheelchairs, could someday help people overcome a range of disabilities.
- Physics
New football helmets could limit brain injuries
A new design for football helmets uses three layers to absorb energy from repeated impacts. The result should be fewer athletes with brain injuries.
- Animals
Picking a better porch light
Lights can vary in brightness and ‘color’ — even those that are sold as white. A new study tested which lights attracted the most bugs.
- Tech
Powered by poop and pee?
Scientists are developing methods to not only remove human waste from wastewater, but also to harness the energy hidden within it.
- Chemistry
New bendy device could power wearable electronics
A new device with lithium and silicon electrodes uses chemistry to generate electricity as it bends back and forth.
- Health & Medicine
Cool Jobs: Making electronics to wear
Forget tablets and cell phones. These flexible electronic devices stick to the skin and can perform many tasks, from taking your temp to tracking the sun’s tanning rays.
