Seed-Inspired Material
A tiny seed inspires an engineer to design tough new materials.
Wet Plastic
Why do some things dry in the dishwasher while others stay stubbornly wet?
Sea Urchin Hideaways
Sea urchins carve out their own homes in the rock with their teeth.
Shark Skin Inspiration
Structures in shark skin could inspire improved aerodynamics in drones and wind turbines.
Soy & Mussel Adhesives
A researcher develops a shellfish-inspired glue, made with soybeans.
Wet Adhesives
Scientists design an adhesive that works in wet conditions based on slug slime.
Roman Concrete
Ancient Roman concrete became stronger with exposure to seawater and time.
Solar-Powered Paint
Building paint that harvests hydrogen from the air could provide abundant clean energy.
Chemical-Stopping Fabrics
A fabric that renders nerve gas harmless.
Plasma-Producing Paper
Engineers turn paper into a high-tech microbe zapper.
Water from Air
Water for the world’s most arid regions could come right out of the air.
Cancer Mass Spectrometry
Molecular analysis of tissue samples could lead to fast, accurate cancer diagnosis.
Bone Batteries
Bone structure inspires the design of a safer lithium ion battery.
Robotic Medical Implants
Magnets trigger biocompatible robotic gears that deliver drugs safely within the body.
Designer Cement
What microscopic crystalline shapes yield the strongest, most durable cement?
Neolithic Woodworking
The discovery of ancient wooden wells in Germany reveals that Neolithic woodworking was more sophisticated than previously believed.
Metal in Microwaves
If metal isn’t supposed to go in microwave ovens, why do some of them have metal racks?
Better Shampoo Bottles
Materials scientists develop a way to easily remove excess shampoo, conditioner, and laundry detergent from plastic bottles.
Silver Ants Keep Cool
Ultra-reflective silver ants stay cool in desert temperatures topping 120˚ Fahrenheit.
Critical Materials
A government laboratory works to maintain supplies of some little-known metals.
Fish Night Vision
A light-concentrating night vision technology inspired by an aquarium fish.
Simulated Octopus Skin
Scientists are isolating and synthesizing the chemical compounds that make hops bitter, and studying their medicinal properties.
Insect Wings & Vision
Futuristic eye implants could fight microbes with structures that mimic the bacteria busting wings of insects.