Tech

  1. Earth

    Rare earths’ hidden electrons make much of modern tech possible

    Because of their unique chemistry, rare-earth elements can generate powerful magnetic fields and fine-tune light for a wide range of applications.

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  2. Environment

    Rare-earth mining is dirty but key to a climate-friendlier future

    That’s spurring new research to find a steady but safer supply of these precious metals, including in the United States.

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  3. Tech

    A new solar-powered gel purifies water in a flash

    The unusual, fruit-inspired structure of this material provides quick filtration that could satisfy people's daily water needs.

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  4. Tech

    Magnetic fields melt and re-form new shape-shifting devices

    Miniature machines made of gallium and magnetic particles can switch from solid to liquid and back.

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  5. Computing

    Scientists Say: Hardware and Software

    Hardware includes all the physical parts of a device you can hold. Software includes all the coded instructions to make that hardware work.

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  6. Climate

    Here’s how to increase clean energy without harming wildlife

    Wind farms, solar panels and more take up land and may harm wildlife. Researchers are working to resolve this conflict.

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  7. Physics

    A powerful laser can control the paths that lightning takes

    In a mountaintop experiment, a laser beamed at the sky created a virtual lightning rod that snagged several bolts.

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  8. Tech

    Think of this new tech as sunglasses for our windows

    Keeping buildings cool can use a lot of energy. Thanks to quantum computing, engineers designed a coating to cut the warming light that enters windows.

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  9. Tech

    Can we build Baymax?

    Baymax may be science fiction, but soft robotics is not. Experts break down Baymax’s parts and show what’s coming in the future.

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  10. Health & Medicine

    High school scientists tackle community health and safety risks

    Three finalists in the 2023 Regeneron Science Talent Search aim to improve suicide risk assessment, treatment of sickle cell disease and more.

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  11. Materials Science

    Let’s learn about piezoelectric materials

    Piezoelectric materials turn mechanical energy into electrical energy — and vice versa.

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  12. Computing

    A single chip like this could transmit a world’s worth of data

    The internet has a big environmental footprint. But this new type of tech could help reduce the climate impact of computing.

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