Engineering | smithsonianmag.comhttps://www.smithsonianmag.com/rss/tag/engineering/RSS feed for EngineeringenFri, 22 May 2026 18:25:17 +0000Ancient Egyptian Engineering Choices Helped the Great Pyramid of Giza Survive Earthquakes, New Research Findshttps://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/ancient-egyptian-engineering-choices-helped-the-great-pyramid-of-giza-survive-earthquakes-new-research-finds-180988790/Researchers measured vibrations inside and around the pyramid to learn that the structure is surprisingly resilient against seismic tremorsFri, 22 May 2026 18:25:17 +0000https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/ancient-egyptian-engineering-choices-helped-the-great-pyramid-of-giza-survive-earthquakes-new-research-finds-180988790/Could Building a Dam Across the Bering Strait Save the Planet From Some Effects of Climate Change?https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/could-building-a-dam-across-the-bering-straight-save-the-planet-from-some-effects-of-climate-change-180988725/A preliminary study suggests that blocking off the waterway between Russia and Alaska could help the survival of a key system of ocean currents. But there could be potential unforeseen consequences, particularly to marine ecosystemsThu, 14 May 2026 16:05:41 +0000https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/could-building-a-dam-across-the-bering-straight-save-the-planet-from-some-effects-of-climate-change-180988725/These Marine Algae Glow When Waves Disturb Them. Their Bioluminescence Could Power Electricity-Free Lamps of the Futurehttps://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/these-marine-algae-glow-when-waves-disturb-them-their-bioluminescence-could-power-electricity-free-lamps-of-the-future-180988721/The single-celled organisms usually shimmer for mere milliseconds, but researchers figured out how to sustain their illumination. The technology could one day be used to light robots' ways in the deep sea or spaceWed, 13 May 2026 15:43:33 +0000https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/these-marine-algae-glow-when-waves-disturb-them-their-bioluminescence-could-power-electricity-free-lamps-of-the-future-180988721/These Young Innovators Have Created a 'Fitbit' to Predict Epileptic Seizureshttps://www.smithsonianmag.com/innovation/these-young-innovators-have-created-a-fitbit-to-predict-epileptic-seizures-180988630/Truman Pierson and Christopher Fitz are developing behind-the-ear EEG patches and an accompanying app that issues an alert if the user is at high risk for a seizure in the next hourTue, 28 Apr 2026 15:39:54 +0000https://www.smithsonianmag.com/innovation/these-young-innovators-have-created-a-fitbit-to-predict-epileptic-seizures-180988630/A Dizzying Spiral Staircase With a Single Guardrail Once Led to the Top of the Eiffel Tower. Now, You Can Buy 14 of the Original Stepshttps://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/a-dizzying-spiral-staircase-with-a-single-guardrail-once-led-to-the-top-of-the-eiffel-tower-now-you-can-buy-14-of-the-original-steps-180988535/The 1,062 steps connecting the tower's second and third levels were installed in 1889. Fragments from the 137-year-old staircase can be found at several French museumsMon, 13 Apr 2026 18:08:16 +0000https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/a-dizzying-spiral-staircase-with-a-single-guardrail-once-led-to-the-top-of-the-eiffel-tower-now-you-can-buy-14-of-the-original-steps-180988535/Artemis Astronauts Overcome Toilet Trouble and Officially Head Toward the Moonhttps://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/artemis-astronauts-overcome-toilet-trouble-and-officially-head-toward-the-moon-180988483/Houston, we have a potty problemFri, 03 Apr 2026 20:35:27 +0000https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/artemis-astronauts-overcome-toilet-trouble-and-officially-head-toward-the-moon-180988483/Sea Stars Can Lose an Arm and Soldier On. What If Robots Could Do the Same?https://www.smithsonianmag.com/innovation/sea-stars-can-lose-an-arm-and-soldier-on-what-if-robots-could-do-the-same-180988453/Bioinspiration looks to nature for clues on how to build more efficient, resilient robotsThu, 02 Apr 2026 15:47:10 +0000https://www.smithsonianmag.com/innovation/sea-stars-can-lose-an-arm-and-soldier-on-what-if-robots-could-do-the-same-180988453/