Materials Science

Environment

How we choose to pay has hidden costs for the planet

Whether cash or credit, phone apps or digital currencies — all forms of payment have behind-the-scenes costs. And these can vary dramatically.

Environment

Clothes dryers may be a major source of airborne microplastics

Scientists thought washing machines were a leading contributor of microplastics. Now it appears dryers may be an even bigger problem.

Materials Science

Let’s learn about glass

Unlike the atoms in other solids, the atoms in glass don’t exist in an orderly crystal structure. They’re more jumbled up, like the atoms inside liquids.

Tech

This crumb-sized camera uses artificial intelligence to get big results

Researchers have developed a camera the size of a coarse grain of salt that takes amazingly clear photos.

Chemistry

Explainer: What is a metal?

Metals can bend and pull without snapping, and conduct electricity. The reason: Their atoms tend to lose electrons to neighboring atoms.

Materials Science

Analyze This: This material for 3-D printing is made by microbes

Bacteria with tweaked genes pump out proteins that can be used in a 3-D printer. With microbes in the mix, the living ink can make drugs or suck up chemicals.

Chemistry

Could reusable ‘jelly ice’ cubes replace regular ice?

These hydrogel “jelly ice cubes” are made mostly of gelatin and water. They won’t melt, even when thawed, and may provide new food cooling options.

Materials Science

This glitter gets its color from plants, not a synthetic plastic

In the new material, tiny arrangements of cellulose reflect light in specific ways to create vibrant hues in an environmentally friendly glitter.

Materials Science

Analyze This: Hardened wood can make sharp steak knives

Researchers treated wood to make it hard and dense. Out of it, they carved sharp knives and nails that could substitute for ones made of steel.

Materials Science

These colorful butterflies were printed with transparent ink

Clear ink creates a whole rainbow of colors when printed in precise, microscopic patterns. This phenomenon is known as structural color.

Materials Science

Bacteria make ‘spider silk’ that’s stronger than steel

Part spider silk, the material is better than what some spiders make. Researchers think it might make the basis for surgical threads or unusually strong fabrics.

Tech

A sense of touch could upgrade virtual reality, prosthetics and more

Scientists and engineers are trying to add touch to online shopping, virtual doctor appointments and artificial limbs.