Materials Science

Climate

Explainer: Why a tornado forms

Tornadoes start with a thunderstorm. But they also require other ingredients, such as instability.

Animals

Speedy sharkskin

Tiny, toothlike bumps boost sharks’ swiftness.

Computing

Electronic skin

Tiny, nearly invisible devices stick to skin, ‘talk’ to computers.

Chemistry

Superslim silicene

Lab-made sheets of silicon are only one atom thick.

Materials Science

Battery powered to heal

With its own first-aid kit, this battery can really keep going.

Tech

When love-hate is materially good

Researchers copy nature's water-loving, water-repelling ways to make smarter stuff

Chemistry

The memory of a material

A popular polymer can remember what shape it was in.

Tech

The science of disappearing

Invisibility cloaks and other new materials that play with light are in the works.

Tech

Lighting goes digital

Brighter and more efficient, LED lights are on the horizon.

Tech

Switchable Lenses Improve Vision

Special lenses that automatically focus can help people wearing eyeglasses see more clearly.

Tech

Fog Buster

A special coating can prevent misty windows and reduce screen glare.

Tech

Inspired by nature

Researchers are applying lessons learned from butterflies, beetles, mussels, and other creatures to problems of human survival.