Tech

Tech

This robot automatically tucks its limbs to squeeze through spaces

Inspired by ants, a robot with telescoping legs can crawl under low ceilings, climb over steps and move on grass, loose rock and mulch.

Physics

A powerful laser can redirect lightning strikes

In a mountaintop experiment, a laser beamed into the sky created a virtual lightning rod that snagged several bolts before they hit the ground.

Earth

Rare earth mining may be key to our renewable energy future. But at what cost?

We take you inside Mountain Pass, the only rare earth mine in the United States.

Climate

Wind turbines could help capture carbon dioxide while providing power

Turbulent wakes from wind turbines can concentrate CO₂ from cities and factories, making it easier to remove the greenhouse gas from the atmosphere.

Science & Society

Big questions inspire the scientists on this year’s SN 10 list

These scientists to watch study climate change, alien worlds, human evolution, the coronavirus and more.

Computing

Huijia Lin proved that a master tool of cryptography is possible

Cryptographer Huijia Lin showed that the long-sought “indistinguishability obfuscation” is secure from data attacks.

Health & Medicine

This robotic pill clears mucus from the gut to deliver meds

A whirling robotic pill wicks mucus from the gut, allowing intravenous drugs such as insulin to be given orally, experiments in pigs suggest.

Planetary Science

NASA’s DART spacecraft just smashed into an asteroid — on purpose

If the first-ever attempt to knock a space rock off course works, it could provide a blueprint to protect Earth from a killer asteroid.

Quantum Physics

This environmentally friendly quantum sensor runs on sunlight

Quantum sensors often rely on power-hungry lasers to make measurements. A new quantum magnetometer uses sunlight to measure magnetic fields instead.

Neuroscience

An AI can decode speech from brain activity with surprising accuracy

Developed by Facebook’s parent company, Meta, the AI could eventually be used to help people who can’t communicate through speech, typing or gestures.

Tech

50 years ago, genes eluded electron microscopes

In the 1970s, scientists dreamed of seeing genes under the microscope. Fifty years later, powerful new tools are helping to make that dream come true.

Health & Medicine

50 years ago, scientists hoped freezing donor organs would boost transplants

In the 1970s, biologists hoped to freeze organs so more could last long enough to be transplanted. Scientists are now starting to manage this feat.