MS-PS1-3

Gather and make sense of information to describe that synthetic materials come from natural resources and impact society.

  1. Tech

    Nanocrystal ‘painted’ films may someday help relieve summer heat

    The rainbow palette and cooling powers of new plant-based films comes from their microscopic surface patterns of tiny crystals.

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  2. Tech

    A new solar-powered gel purifies water in a flash

    The unusual, fruit-inspired structure of this material provides quick filtration that could satisfy people's daily water needs.

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  3. Chemistry

    Chemists have unlocked the secrets of long-lasting Roman concrete

    By searching ancient texts and ruins, scientists found a concrete recipe that could make buildings stronger — and help address climate change.

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  4. Animals

    Let’s learn about frogs

    Frogs are a fascinating bunch of amphibians. Unfortunately, they’re also dying off in huge numbers.

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  5. Tech

    Think of this new tech as sunglasses for our windows

    Keeping buildings cool can use a lot of energy. Thanks to quantum computing, engineers designed a coating to cut the warming light that enters windows.

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  6. Climate

    Creating less new stuff could greatly help Earth’s climate

    Instead of throwing unneeded things away, scientists recommend moving to a cycle of reducing, reusing, repairing and remaking old things into new ones.

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  7. Materials Science

    Let’s learn about piezoelectric materials

    Piezoelectric materials turn mechanical energy into electrical energy — and vice versa.

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  8. Materials Science

    Scientists Say: Hydrogel

    Tangled polymer chains help hydrogels hold their shape despite being full of water.

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  9. Environment

    For a better brick, just add poop

    Sewage sludge. Cow dung. They’re not just waste — scientists are finding uses for processed poop in construction materials.

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  10. Tech

    Insect-inspired drones work together to 3-D print structures

    For the first time, flying drones have 3-D printed structures. In the future, such drones might be able to build in hard-to-reach places.

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  11. Animals

    Tiny bumps on polar bear paws help them get traction on snow

    Super-small structures on the Arctic animals’ paws might offer extra friction that keeps them from slipping on snow, a new study concludes.

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  12. Physics

    Explainer: What is friction?

    The force of friction always acts to slow things down. It depends on just two factors: the surfaces and how hard they press together.

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