The Building Blocks of Everything
The Amazing Spider Silk: the Natural Fiber that Can Help Regenerate Bones
Scientists have found amazing uses for the humble spider silk, but it's really hard to procure.
The Worst Oil in the World: The Crude That’s Tarring the Climate
Not all oil is created equal: Some kinds produce 80 percent more global warming pollution than others.
This Microscope Can See Down to Individual Atoms
The UK's superSTEM facility got a new electron microscope with unprecedented resolution.
How Motion-Powered Fabric Could Charge Gadgets
A textile-based generator uses friction to convert mechanical energy from body movements into electricity.
How Humans and Nature Make Their Own Plastics
Humans and trees don’t have much in common, biologically speaking. But we do share one deep love: long molecules. Really long molecules.
Beyond Plastic: 3D Printers Are Now Printing Metal, Wood, Even Electronics
We're on the way to a Star Wars-style replicator.
From Baby Teeth to Aerogel: Take a Tour of a Library of Materials
A 'materials library' in London has thousands of materials in its collection.
Brain Implants Are Here, If Only We Knew What to Make Them Out Of
Not too hard but not too soft—scientists are trying to find the perfect material to implant in your brain.
In the Future, Your City Could Change Colors Like an Octopus
Buildings cloaked in color-changing skins are close to reality.
Rendering Realistic Water Is Still Game Development's Moby Dick
Even with today’s processing power, having good virtual water isn’t as easy as turning on the tap.
Inside Graphene City, Birthplace of a Wonder Material
What can you actually do with the carbon-based 'miracle material'?