Scientists turn wood into a super insulator that could strengthen the power grid
As demand for electricity continues to rise because of data centers, electric vehicles, and renewable energy, the world's aging power grid is facing increasing...
New artificial photosynthesis system makes solar fuel without batteries
Researchers in Japan have developed a new artificial photosynthesis system that can produce solar fuel more reliably under changing sunlight conditions without using batteries.
The...
Tiny new chip could give cameras super vision beyond human eyes
Researchers have developed a tiny chip that could help cameras and sensors see details that are normally invisible to both people and standard imaging...
Lava planet has hydrogen-rich, active atmosphere
It’s 2158, and you’re chugging away on your PhD in Planetary Volcanology from the University of Utopia Planitia on Mars. Graduate students still get...
Robot dogs could help firefighters safely detect hazardous chemicals
Researchers in Austria have developed a four-legged robot that could make firefighting operations safer by entering dangerous areas and detecting hazardous substances before firefighters...
New water-cooling technology could make AI chips 10 times more energy efficient
Artificial intelligence is transforming the world, but it also comes with a growing energy problem.
Modern AI systems require enormous computing power, and the powerful...
Dogs and humans age in similar ways, surprising study finds
Dogs may have more in common with humans than just sharing our homes and routines.
A new study has found that the same biological signals...
Swallowable ‘blueberry’ sensor could transform how we monitor body temperature
A tiny electronic sensor that can be swallowed like a pill may soon provide one of the most accurate ways to measure body temperature.
Engineers...
Simple color signals could help people learn to control prosthetic limbs faster
Using a robotic arm or prosthetic hand may seem straightforward, but it actually requires very precise control.
Even a simple task, such as picking up...
How drones could leap from water into the air like birds and rays
Watching a seabird burst out of the ocean or a mobula ray launch itself into the air makes the transition from water to sky...
A 5.3-million‑year‑old whale graveyard has been found on the floor of the Indian Ocean
When a whale dies, a very special natural phenomenon can come alive.
The carcass might float at the surface for some time, attracting sharks and...
A star’s death throes involves a lot of kicking
When stars like our Sun age, they puff up into red giants.
Their bubbling outer mass gradually escapes into space, and their remaining cores contract...
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Ugly fossil reveals ancient saber-tooth cat’s Texas habitat
A plain-looking chunk of bone and teeth has led scientists to a surprising discovery about a large prehistoric cat that once roamed Texas.
This fossil,...
New AI-designed materials could cut energy bills and tame heat
Imagine a future where your home stays cool in the summer without blasting the air conditioner—and your electricity bill is much lower.
Thanks to a...
Scientists create highly conductive 2D polymer, paving the way for advanced electronics
A team of international researchers has successfully created a new type of highly conductive 2D polymer, opening the door to exciting new applications in...
Scientists find black hole is ejecting material at half of light speed
Astronomers have observed a black hole burping up stellar remains years after it shredded and consumed the star.
In October 2018, a small star was...
New eco-friendly solvent boosts stability of tin perovskite solar cells
Perovskite solar cells are often described as the future of solar technology because they can be made cheaply, are lightweight, and have shown impressive...