“Sun in a box” would store renewable energy for the grid
Design for system that provides solar- or wind-generated power on demand should be cheaper than other leading options.
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MIT engineers fly first-ever plane with no moving parts
The silent, lightweight aircraft doesn’t depend on fossil fuels.
Bursting bubbles launch bacteria from water to air
Study illuminates new mode of bacteria dispersal.
See-through film rejects 70 percent of incoming solar heat
Material could be used to coat windows, save on air-conditioning costs.
Study: There’s real skill in fantasy sports
Researchers find most fantasy sports are based on skill, not luck.
Oceanographers produce first-ever images of entire cod shoals
Wide-ranging acoustic images could help researchers identify populations on the brink of collapse.
E.T., we’re home
Existing laser technology could be fashioned into Earth’s “porch light” to attract alien astronomers, study finds.
Study: Impact of mercury-controlling policies shrinks with every five-year delay
Toxin will accumulate in the environment, particularly in remote regions, as countries delay implementing emissions controls.
Arctic ice sets speed limit for major ocean current
Long-term melting may lead to release of huge volumes of cold, fresh water into the North Atlantic, impacting global climate.
Technique quickly identifies extreme event statistics
Machine-learning model provides risk assessment for complex nonlinear systems, including boats and offshore platforms.
Stamp-sized graphene sheets riddled with holes could be boon for molecular separation
Fabrication technique could be integrated into manufacturing to make large-scale membranes.
Study opens route to flexible electronics made from exotic materials
Cost-effective method produces semiconducting films from materials that outperform silicon.
Movement-enhancing exoskeletons may impair decision making
In lab experiments, soldiers wearing exoskeletons designed to improve physical performance reacted more slowly to visual cues.
Beach sand ripples can be fingerprints for ancient weather conditions
Experiments show shifting ripple patterns can signal times of environmental flux.
Software finds the best way to stick a Mars landing
Program users can tinker with landing and path planning scenarios to identify optimal landing sites for Mars rovers.