Engineering(Page 4)

A guide to the structures, machines, and systems that power and connect our world.

Latest in Engineering

aurora supercomputer at Argonne

Technology

The world’s most powerful computer could soon help the US build better nuclear reactors The world’s most powerful computer could soon help the US build better nuclear reactors

By Charlotte Hu

Orbital cubesat plasma brake concept art

Science

A new satellite’s ‘plasma brake’ uses Earth’s atmosphere to avoid becoming space junk A new satellite’s ‘plasma brake’ uses Earth’s atmosphere to avoid becoming space junk

nuclear submarine

Technology

Shipbuilders 3D-printed a part for a nuclear submarine Shipbuilders 3D-printed a part for a nuclear submarine

By Kelsey D. Atherton

Archax robotic mech suit in warehouse

Technology

This gigantic mech suit can be yours for $3 million This gigantic mech suit can be yours for $3 million

The world’s internet traffic flows beneath the oceans—here’s how

Technology

The world’s internet traffic flows beneath the oceans—here’s how The world’s internet traffic flows beneath the oceans—here’s how

By Harry Guinness

Green architecture homes

Technology

The EPA wants to tighten up their ‘zero-emission’ building definition The EPA wants to tighten up their ‘zero-emission’ building definition

Solar sail concept art from NASA

Science

How tiny spacecraft could ‘sail’ to Mars surprisingly quickly How tiny spacecraft could ‘sail’ to Mars surprisingly quickly

The 2024 Polaris Xpedition vehicle crossing a river

Technology

This new Polaris off-roader is the ultimate vehicle for rugged adventures This new Polaris off-roader is the ultimate vehicle for rugged adventures

By Kristin Shaw

Skydio X10 drone flying at night

Technology

A new drone might help cops stop high-speed car chases A new drone might help cops stop high-speed car chases

Technology

Driving a McLaren at 200 mph is a thrilling, dangerous experience Driving a McLaren at 200 mph is a thrilling, dangerous experience

Sierra Space module exploding screenshot

Technology

Watch a space station habitat prototype pop like a water balloon Watch a space station habitat prototype pop like a water balloon

This massive armored vehicle has a giant plow for clearing Russian mines

Technology

This massive armored vehicle has a giant plow for clearing Russian mines This massive armored vehicle has a giant plow for clearing Russian mines

By Kelsey D. Atherton

Drawing of the Tsuruhama Rain Forest Pavilion project in Osaka, Japan.

Technology

In pictures: 7 things from MoMA’s new design and architecture exhibits that made us go ‘wow’ In pictures: 7 things from MoMA’s new design and architecture exhibits that made us go ‘wow’

By Charlotte Hu

Saab says it has solved a modern camouflage conundrum

Technology

Saab says it has solved a modern camouflage conundrum Saab says it has solved a modern camouflage conundrum

By Kelsey D. Atherton

biggest hot air balloon in us

Technology

The biggest hot air balloon in the US was built to carry skydivers The biggest hot air balloon in the US was built to carry skydivers

ETH Zurich electric race car in motion

Technology

Swiss students just slashed the world record for EV acceleration Swiss students just slashed the world record for EV acceleration

A remote Air Force base in Alaska is getting its own nuclear reactor

Technology

A remote Air Force base in Alaska is getting its own nuclear reactor A remote Air Force base in Alaska is getting its own nuclear reactor

By Kelsey D. Atherton

Robotic origami microflier

Technology

Microflier robots use the science of origami to fall like leaves Microflier robots use the science of origami to fall like leaves

an inchwoom robot climbing up a smooth surface

Technology

This wormy robot can wriggle its way around a jet engine This wormy robot can wriggle its way around a jet engine

By Charlotte Hu

3D printer making algae-based water decontaminate

Technology

‘Living material’ water filter uses bacteria to neutralize water pollutants ‘Living material’ water filter uses bacteria to neutralize water pollutants

wedges in the anechoic chamber and a hand holding a sound level meter

Technology

What it’s like to step inside a room with no echoes What it’s like to step inside a room with no echoes

By Charlotte Hu

MIT Van Atta Backscatter array closeup

Technology

This new subsea communications system can run on an iota of power This new subsea communications system can run on an iota of power

shadowy figure holds spy satellite

Technology

How corporations helped fuel the big business of spying How corporations helped fuel the big business of spying

By Sarah Scoles

Closeup of solar panel installation

Technology

This alternative to lithium-based batteries could help store renewable energy This alternative to lithium-based batteries could help store renewable energy

Lagos Blue Line Rail train next to traffic jam

Technology

Traveling through the world’s most traffic-heavy city just got a lot quicker—and greener Traveling through the world’s most traffic-heavy city just got a lot quicker—and greener

Pants on hangers

Technology

The US wants to dress military in smart surveillance apparel The US wants to dress military in smart surveillance apparel

From clay cars to VR: How GM is designing an electric fleet at top speed

Technology

From clay cars to VR: How GM is designing an electric fleet at top speed From clay cars to VR: How GM is designing an electric fleet at top speed

By Kristin Shaw

water main break caused water to run on to the times square subway lines

Technology

Disruptive water main breaks happen more often than you think Disruptive water main breaks happen more often than you think

By Charlotte Hu

Why machines don’t work as well in extreme heat

Technology

Why machines don’t work as well in extreme heat Why machines don’t work as well in extreme heat

By Srinivas Garimella and Matthew T. Hughes/The Conversation

California high speed railcar concept art

Technology

A high-speed rail line in California is chugging along towards 2030 debut A high-speed rail line in California is chugging along towards 2030 debut

a bugatti chiron super sport car

Technology

What’s a V8 engine doubled? The Bugatti Chiron Super Sport’s W16. What’s a V8 engine doubled? The Bugatti Chiron Super Sport’s W16.

By Kristin Shaw

a b-2 bomber in flight

Technology

B-2 bomber’s latest tech upgrade brings it into the 21st century B-2 bomber’s latest tech upgrade brings it into the 21st century

By Kelsey D. Atherton

Japan begins releasing treated Fukushima waste water into the Pacific Ocean

Technology

Japan begins releasing treated Fukushima waste water into the Pacific Ocean Japan begins releasing treated Fukushima waste water into the Pacific Ocean

two drones coming together while flying

Technology

These nifty drones can lock together in mid-air to form a bigger, stronger robot These nifty drones can lock together in mid-air to form a bigger, stronger robot

By Charlotte Hu

MIT kirigami tentacle scultures

Technology

The latest kirigami-inspired engineering materials are also works of art The latest kirigami-inspired engineering materials are also works of art

Scientists brew stronger concrete with coffee grounds

Technology

Scientists brew stronger concrete with coffee grounds Scientists brew stronger concrete with coffee grounds

Shipping container used as passive cooling test chamber

Technology

Ancient Egyptian ‘air conditioning’ could help cool modern buildings Ancient Egyptian ‘air conditioning’ could help cool modern buildings

Pyxis Ocean retrofitted with WindWings setting sail for its maiden voyage, August 2023

Technology

A cargo ship with 123-foot ‘WindWing’ sails has just departed on its maiden voyage A cargo ship with 123-foot ‘WindWing’ sails has just departed on its maiden voyage

Jaguar's Formula E racecar

Technology

How Formula E race cars are guiding Jaguar’s EV future How Formula E race cars are guiding Jaguar’s EV future

By Charlotte Hu

Elemental chromium

Technology

The same metal found on hot rods and Harleys could revolutionize solar panels The same metal found on hot rods and Harleys could revolutionize solar panels

airplane flying in clouds

Technology

Inside Delta’s in-house meteorology wing Inside Delta’s in-house meteorology wing

By Charlotte Hu

food wrapped in aluminum foil

Technology

Scientists shake crumpled tinfoil to create electricity Scientists shake crumpled tinfoil to create electricity

By Charlotte Hu

Japanese bullet train leaving station at dawn

Technology

Texas could get a 205-mph bullet train zipping between Houston and Dallas Texas could get a 205-mph bullet train zipping between Houston and Dallas

This communications company is a lifeline for far-flung operators

Technology

This communications company is a lifeline for far-flung operators This communications company is a lifeline for far-flung operators

By Sarah Scoles

Nvidia's GH200 chip

Technology

A new chip can power the billions of calculations the AI age requires A new chip can power the billions of calculations the AI age requires

By Harry Guinness

Two astronauts walking in spacesuits in a desert

Science

How do you keep a spacesuit clean? One answer is antimicrobial fabric. How do you keep a spacesuit clean? One answer is antimicrobial fabric.

Orion space capsule capturing surface of moon during NASA Artemis I mission

Technology

An art-filled time capsule is headed for the moon An art-filled time capsule is headed for the moon

By Charlotte Hu

Trinity test color photo

Technology

How the real Trinity test was filmed and photographed, and where to watch it How the real Trinity test was filmed and photographed, and where to watch it

By Kelsey D. Atherton

Two researchers look at green plasma ray in lab setting

Technology

Plasma beams could one day cool overheating electronics in a flash Plasma beams could one day cool overheating electronics in a flash

a john deere motor grader in a factory

Technology

In photos: How John Deere builds its massive machines In photos: How John Deere builds its massive machines

By Christopher Payne, Kristin Shaw

A streak of blue lightning, representing energy, spreads horizontally across a textured cement surface.

Technology

Two ancient materials may help solve a modern energy dilemma Two ancient materials may help solve a modern energy dilemma

a robot starting at toy objects on table

Technology

Robots could now understand us better with some help from the web Robots could now understand us better with some help from the web

By Charlotte Hu

The U.S. Air Force X-37B Orbital Test Vehicle 4

Technology

What is DARPA? The rich history of the Pentagon’s secretive tech agency What is DARPA? The rich history of the Pentagon’s secretive tech agency

By Kelsey D. Atherton

MIT breast cancer device

Technology

MIT develops an at-home mammogram alternative that fits in a bra MIT develops an at-home mammogram alternative that fits in a bra

By Sara Kiley Watson

A TV on an entertainment console, where you'll need to figure out what HDMI 2.1 is and why it matters.

Technology

What is HDMI 2.1? What is HDMI 2.1?

By Brandon Russell, Harry Guinness

space shuttle endeavour blasts off

Technology

What it takes to display a 176,000-pound space shuttle in a launch configuration What it takes to display a 176,000-pound space shuttle in a launch configuration

hyperspectral imagery next to black and white imagery

Technology

Hyperspectral imaging can detect chemical signatures of earthbound objects from space Hyperspectral imaging can detect chemical signatures of earthbound objects from space

By Charlotte Hu

A WiFi sign in a cafe.

Technology

WiFi 5 vs. WiFi 6: Which should you choose? WiFi 5 vs. WiFi 6: Which should you choose?

By Harry Guinness

Microscopic view of glass-coated DNA nanostructure

Technology

These super strong nanostructures are made of glass-coated DNA These super strong nanostructures are made of glass-coated DNA

Deep underground, robotic teamwork saves the day

Technology

Deep underground, robotic teamwork saves the day Deep underground, robotic teamwork saves the day

By Kurt Kleiner/Knowable Magazine

Illustration of metal nanomaterial healing cracks

Technology

Scientists accidentally capture metals ‘healing’ themselves Scientists accidentally capture metals ‘healing’ themselves

Streets of New York City.

Environment

How ‘underground climate change’ affects life on the Earth’s surface How ‘underground climate change’ affects life on the Earth’s surface

By Carla Delgado

wood cross sections

Technology

DARPA would like to make scrap wood stronger with WUD DARPA would like to make scrap wood stronger with WUD

By Charlotte Hu

deep sea bubbles

Environment

The key to bringing deep sea samples up to the coast? An underwater freezer. The key to bringing deep sea samples up to the coast? An underwater freezer.

By Annie Roth / Hakai Magazine