Tech

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- Tech
High-tech solar ‘leaves’ create green fuels from the sun
Chemists make a liquid alternative to fossil fuels from carbon dioxide, water and the sun. Their trick? They use a new type of artificial leaf.
By Laura Allen - Tech
A ‘mini cyclone’ helps detect coronavirus in the air
A new device can detect from seven to 35 coronavirus particles per liter of air in minutes. That’s close to a PCR test’s sensitivity — but much quicker.
- Tech
New thermal ‘cloak’ keeps spaces from getting too hot or too cold
A prototype fabric could help keep cars, buildings and other spaces cooler during heat waves while also reducing greenhouse-gas emissions.
By Skyler Ware - Tech
Horses are inspiring this roboticist to build trustworthy robots
Computer scientist Eakta Jain is looking at human-horse interactions for ideas about how to design robots that work well with people.
- Computing
Teen-created software IDs skin conditions, risky drivers and more
Researchers at the 2023 Regeneron ISEF unveiled computer programs to diagnose skin conditions, warn of dangerous driving and translate sign language.
- Math
Scientists Say: Parabola
A parabola is a U-shaped curve, where every point along that curve is the same distance from another point and a line.
- Space
Fairy tale inspiration could help rovers explore risky places
Taking a cue from Hansel and Gretel, scientists propose a way for rovers to send back data from treacherous terrain.
- 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.
- Tech
A device spots and counts honeybees hosting a dangerous parasite
At Regeneron ISEF, three teens debuted an infrared system to detect honeybees carrying mites. It can show beekeepers when a colony needs to be treated.
- Tech
New technologies could keep people cool in a warming world
New approaches to air conditioning aim to keep people cool with fewer greenhouse-gas emissions as our world warms.
- Tech
Recycling rare-earth elements is hard — but worth it
As demand for these valuable metals has been skyrocketing, scientists have begun inventing new — and greener — ways to reuse what they have in hand.
By Erin Wayman - Earth
Rare earths’ hidden electrons make much of modern tech possible
Because of their unique chemistry, rare-earth elements can generate powerful magnetic fields and fine-tune light for a wide range of applications.
By Nikk Ogasa