HEADLINES ARCHIVE
Chernobyl Getting Second Life as Solar Farm
Although uninhabitable due to toxic levels of radiation in both the air and the soil, Chernobyl, Ukraine — the site of the worst nuclear accident in human history — will play host to a future solar plant.
Iron-based Catalyst Improves Hydrogen Economics
A new strategy replaces expensive noble metal catalysts with an iron catalyst for hydrogen production.
Inexpensive Health Monitor Based on Graphene Emulsion
An electrically conductive liquid derived from an emulsion of graphene, water and oil has been used to design wearable health monitors for deployment in resource-limited areas.
A New Kind of Paper that Can be Reused Multiple Times
A new type of paper — developed by researchers from Nanjing University of Posts and Telecommunications, Nanjing Tech University and Northwestern Polytechnical University (all in China) — that can be erased and printed on many times could have potential consequences for the environment.
7 Materials that Only Exist or are Made in Space
Here are several examples of materials that are not made or cannot be reproduced on earth. Many of these "space materials" have unique structures and properties.
Researchers Developing New Material to Prevent Wind Turbine Damage
Often exposed to extreme climate conditions that can erode efficiency, wind turbines are in the midst of getting a makeover thanks to researchers from Spain's Universitat Jaume I of Castellón
Want to Climb Like Spiderman? The Secret is in Gecko Toes
Some animals, such as geckos, can easily climb up walls and across ceilings. But currently, no material exists that allows everyday people to scale walls or traverse ceilings as effortlessly. Now, scientists say a dry adhesive could someday make it easier to defy gravity.
In Coffee News: A 'Green' Coffee Maker and Ink from Coffee Grounds
The way we make coffee and what we do with spent coffee grounds are being revamped — both to the benefit of the environment.
Marine Food Webs Threatened by Climate Change, Study
Levels of commercial fish stocks could face significant reductions as rising sea temperatures threaten their food sources, according to research from the University of Adelaide.
Robotic Weeders: Coming to a Farm Near You?
As organic farming using fewer pesticides increases in popularity and the cost of hand-weeding skyrockets, experts believe that robotic weeders will become more and more of a presence on farms.
Watch: Engineers Grow Functioning Human Muscle in a Lab from Just Human Skin Cells
Biomedical engineers have grown the first functioning human skeletal muscle from induced pluripotent stem cells.
Microbeads Already Removed from Some Products Ahead of UK Ban
Methods to test some of the products for the presence of microplastics found the controversial ingredient missing ahead of the U.K. ban.
Newly Installed Section of Solar Road Stolen in China
While solar panels on rooftops have become more and more commonplace, solar roads are still less common and thus interesting enough to still attract a great deal of attention and curiosity. In fact, the technology is such a novelty that it has recently attracted the attention of thieves in Jinan, China, who removed a recently-installed section of experimental solar road.
New Spinning Method Produces Super-Tough Nanofibers
A new process, gel electrospinning, produces fibers that are a nanometer – a billionth of a meter – in diameter. Products made from these fibers, such as armor and nanocomposites, are stronger, tougher and less expensive to produce than current top-of-the-line aramid fibers and gel-spun polyethylenes.
Cancer and Health Dangers from Toxic Fluorochemical Releases Around U.S. Air Force Bases
Fluorochemical (PFA) fire-fighting foams used around many U.S. airbases and airports have contaminated the surrounding groundwater. The PFA contamination of drinking water might be causing increased cancer rates and low birth weights around these bases.
3D-printed Home That Can Be Built in Just Eight Hours
Imagine being able to simplify the construction of a brand-new home so much so that instead of dealing with unending time frames and an ever-increasing budget, you could have an inexpensive home in just eight hours. Thanks to help from its 3D-printing robot, PassivDom has been able to achieve such a feat.
Watch: Wash and Recovery Method Speeds Decontamination
Interchangeable equipment, tools and materials promise a faster, more efficient approach to radiodecontamination in urban environments.
New Catalyst Converts Waterborne Nitrates into Water and Air
Engineers have found a catalyst the cleans toxic nitrates from drinking water by converting them into air and water.
Methane Reforming Method to Yield Hydrogen, Carbon Fibers and Nanotubes
The new process will produce hydrogen for fuel cell vehicles and industrial processes, as well as carbon fiber for medical device design, aerospace structures and building products.
Methane Reforming Method to Yield Hydrogen, Carbon Fibers and Nanotubes
The new process will produce hydrogen for fuel cell vehicles and industrial processes, as well as carbon fiber for medical device design, aerospace structures and building products.