Scientific Innovation
Edison vs. Westinghouse: A Shocking Rivalry
The inventors' battle over the delivery of electricity was an epic power play
October 11, 2011 |
By Gilbert King
In Search of Queen Victoria’s Voice
The British monarch was present when a solicitor demonstrated one of the earliest audio recording devices. But did she really say "tomatoes"?
October 06, 2011 |
By Mike Dash
Are Machines Dumbing Us Down?
The idea that technology is causing us to lose our mental edge won't go away
September 27, 2011 |
By Randy Rieland
Can Solar Survive the Solyndra Swirl?
Following the collapse of the ballyhooed solar firm, these are dark times for renewable energy. But big players are still betting it's more than treehugger fantasy
September 21, 2011 |
By Randy Rieland
Football Tech to Protect Players
From "smart helmets" to "intelligent mouthguards," football tackles the challenge of high technology to reduce injury and improve the game
September 08, 2011 |
By Randy Rieland
Can We Do Something About This Weather?
Most climate scientists say we should expect extreme weather to happen more often in the future. Do we have to be satisfied with just being prepared?
August 29, 2011 |
By Randy Rieland
When Computers Get Brains
IBM scientsts say their new "cognitive" chip is a key step toward developing computers that think and learn more like human beings and less like calculators
August 24, 2011 |
By Randy Rieland
A Cheat Sheet to Help Schools Foster Creativity
Corporate execs say they're looking for independent thinkers, but many schools are stilled geared to assembly lines. Here are ideas to spur imaginative learning
August 22, 2011 |
By Randy Rieland
How Nature Makes Us Smarter
Scientists and inventors borrow from nature to innovate in the burgeoning field of biomimicry. Why not steal ideas from something that's been millions of years in the making?
August 17, 2011 |
By Randy Rieland
Charles Proteus Steinmetz, the Wizard of Schenectady
His contributions to mathematics and electrical engineering made him one of the most beloved and instantly recognizable men of his time.
August 16, 2011 |
By Gilbert King
How to Enjoy National Relaxation Day
Some folks say this should be declared National Relaxation Day. Here are some products that claim to help you get your mellow on
August 15, 2011 |
By Randy Rieland
Clothes Encounters
Clothing embedded with nanotechnology taps into our growing desire to turn everyday things into electronic gadgets
August 03, 2011 |
By Randy Rieland
Me, My Data and I
So I admit I’m bewildered, yet duly impressed by a group of intensely self-quantifies, people who want to know everything about themselves, at least everything that can be expressed in data readouts
July 27, 2011 |
By Randy Rieland
Drones are Ready for Takeoff
Will unmanned aerial vehicles—drones—soon take civilian passengers on pilotless flights?
June 2011 |
By Richard Conniff
A Triumph in the War Against Cancer
Oncologist Brian Druker developed a new treatment for a deadly cancer, leading to a breakthrough that has transformed medicine
May 2011 |
By Terence Monmaney
Embedded Technologies: Power From the People
Energy harvested from our bodies will make possible mind-boggling gadgetry
August 2010 |
By Michael Belfiore
A Spanish Breakthrough in Harnessing Solar Power
Solar technologies being pioneered in Spain show even greater promise for the United States
August 2010 |
By Richard Covington
The Ten Most Disturbing Scientific Discoveries
Scientists have come to some surprising conclusions about the world and our place in it. Are some things just better left unknown?
May 14, 2010 |
By Laura Helmuth
How Sleepy Are Sloths and Other Lessons Learned
Smithsonian scientists use radio technology to track animals in an island jungle in the middle of the Panama Canal
February 03, 2010 |
By Megan Gambino
Henrietta Lacks’ ‘Immortal’ Cells
Journalist Rebecca Skloot’s new book investigates how a poor black tobacco farmer had a groundbreaking impact on modern medicine
January 22, 2010 |
By Sarah Zielinski
