How a rare element could fuel the next generation of space missions
Scientists at the U.S. Department of Energy’s Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) are taking a fresh look at neptunium, a rare radioactive metal that...
New 3D concrete technology could transform how buildings are made
As cities become more crowded and construction companies struggle to find enough workers, the building industry is searching for faster and more efficient ways...
How hidden flaws caused light pole disasters in hurricane Ian
When Hurricane Ian swept across Florida in 2022, several aluminum light poles on a bridge in Central Florida suddenly cracked or collapsed.
What puzzled engineers...
New 3D printing ink made from wood waste can be recycled with water
3D printing has changed how products are designed and manufactured, allowing engineers and designers to create complex objects layer by layer from digital models.
The...
Robotic arm can feel like part of the body—if it moves at the right...
As artificial intelligence advances, future prosthetic arms may be able to move on their own to assist users with daily tasks.
But for these devices...
How 3D printing is making energetic materials safer and more predictable
Making energetic materials—such as explosives, propellants, and fireworks—is a bit like baking a very sensitive cake.
The ingredients must be carefully measured, the mixing must...
Scientists turn desert sand into eco-friendly bricks to cut cement emissions
Cement is one of the most widely used building materials in the world, but it comes at a high environmental cost.
Portland cement alone is...
Scientists invent “smart underwear” that tracks your farts 24/7
Talking about flatulence may feel awkward, but scientists say it could reveal important clues about gut health.
Researchers at the University of Maryland have developed...
Origami-inspired waveguides could make satellites lighter and easier to launch
Modern satellites rely on electromagnetic waveguides—hollow structures that carry high-power signals between components such as antennas and transmitters.
Today, these waveguides are usually made from...
This hair-thin glass microphone can hear electrical sparks before power failures happen
Researchers have created a microphone so thin it looks like a human hair, yet tough enough to survive temperatures as high as 1,000°C.
Made entirely...