Emerging Tech
MIT proposes Brazil-sized fleet of “space bubbles” to cool the Earth
An out-of-this-world idea could help reduce some of the risk of solar geoengineering.
Plants aren’t good at photosynthesis. We can do it better
Photosynthesis is powerful but very inefficient. Humans can improve on this biochemical process to help the planet.
U.S. plans to put nuclear-powered spacecraft in orbit by 2026
Experts believe they could cut the time it takes a rocket to reach Mars by up to 25%, shaving about two months off the trip.
The dream of transhumanism: Are we merely human — or are we something more?
Humans are already so integrated with technology that the dream of transhumanism is a reality. Can we handle what comes next?
Virginia launches world’s biggest 3D-printed housing project
One home was printed in 28 hours. Now, Alquist 3D is building 200 more.
Wearable tech: eating and playing our way to a longer lifespan
Wearable technology can help increase lifespan by changing what we know about our dietary needs and creating new ways to exercise.
The biggest myths about electric vehicles
We're separating the facts about EVs from the fiction.
How to be a techno-optimist
Technology will not save the world, and it is inherently neither good nor bad. But, when tech is coupled to human virtue, good will prevail.
Google engineer claims his AI is sentient. It definitely is not
The engineer working on Google's AI, called LaMDA, suffers from what we could call Michelangelo Syndrome. Scientists must beware hubris.
MIT invents $4 solar desalination device
It could make enough drinking water for a family of four.
MIT’s new heat engine beats a steam turbine in efficiency
It has no moving parts and could allow us to tap into renewable energy year round.
Discovery of “impossible” superconductor promises 100x faster electronics
In a major advance, scientists have found a new and groundbreaking way to force electrons to flow only in one direction in a superconductor.
Elon Musk’s Hyperloop is possible. How badly do we want it?
The Hyperloop is physically possible, but engineering challenges will make its construction very difficult. Also, accidents would be catastrophic.
Why Elon Musk’s Hyperloop won’t work for humans
The hyperloop would be a great idea for a completely flat planet. With topography and infrastructure, it's a very different story.
How electric eels inspired the first battery two centuries ago
Now they're pointing the way to future battery technologies.
Alexa and her friends know you all too well
But does Amazon know when you're tired or hungry?
Could an advanced civilization change the laws of physics?
Do the laws of physics place a hard limit on how far technology can advance, or can we re-write those laws?
How to use human energy to heat buildings
Capturing energy from clubbers could help power homes and buildings.
Solar + battery hybrids are poised for explosive growth
Meet the power plant of the future.
Dream hacking: Is this the dystopian future of advertising?
A team of scientists has warned that marketers seek to advertise in our dreams. Will our sleep be commercialized against our wishes?
Israeli and US Navy lasers successfully shoot down drones, rockets, artillery
Israel looks to deploy its “Iron Beam” air-defense system within the year.
Invisibility cloaks are not just possible, but are becoming reality
Two types of nanotechnology, metalenses and metamaterials, could soon make Harry Potter's invisibility cloak a reality.
Nanofabricators: a “Star Trek” vision of the future
Nanofabricators could quickly synthesize whatever we need, molecule by molecule.
Evil twins and digital elves: How the metaverse will create new forms of fraud and deception
The metaverse may leave us perpetually unsure whether the people we encounter are authentic or high-quality fakes.
SpinLaunch to fling a NASA payload toward space
Spin, spin, spin — fire! The startup’s radical system could make satellite launches cheaper and cleaner.
An optimized solution for face recognition
“We didn’t build anything face-ish into our network [but] managed to segregate themselves without being given a face-specific nudge.”
Synthetic media: How AI-generated characters spread disinformation
AI-generated photos, also known as synthetic media, are being used to create fake experts and journalists to spread disinformation.
How an accidental discovery made this year could change the world
A lucky discovery involving lithium-sulfur batteries has a legitimate chance to revolutionize how we power our world.
Could aliens suck the energy from black holes with Dyson Spheres?
A new paper combines two concepts from the edges of astrophysics: Dyson Spheres and black holes. A Type III civilization could combine them.