summer 2019 Archives | Popular Science

By Andrew Blum Sep 8, 2020

Technology

To hit renewables targets, countries are sharing energy across borders

It takes a lot more than adding wind turbines and solar panels to transform a giant power grid.

By Eleanor Cummins May 25, 2020

Science

Solve the famous water puzzle from Die Hard 3

Tackle this brain teaser with a vengeance.

By Eleanor Cummins May 17, 2020

Science

Can you count all the triangles in these images? (Hint: There are more than you think.)

These polygons contain multitudes.

By Jessica Boddy May 15, 2020

Science

There’s a reason looking at food photos makes you hungry

They trick your brain into making your tummy rumble.

By Nicole Wetsman Apr 24, 2020

Science

These strawberries aren’t red. Here’s why your brain is sure they are.

Color constancy is playing tricks on you.

By Kaitlin Sullivan Oct 29, 2019

Science

Counting decapitated sperm and other time-consuming science tasks

Are we done yet?

By Rachel Nuwer Oct 28, 2019

Animals

Horseshoe crab blood is rare but crucial for medicine, so this scientist came up with a solution

The rarest blood is blue.

By Stan Horaczek Oct 28, 2019

Gadgets

Three alternative ways to charge your phone

Sunlight, fire, and even a hand crank can pump juice into your device in a pinch.

By Eleanor Cummins Oct 25, 2019

Environment

How many people can the planet actually hold?

There's always room for one more.

By Stan Horaczek Aug 27, 2019

DIY

Inside New York City’s vanishing community of repair shops

Skilled fixers still service everything from cameras to denim.

summer 2019

Latest

Featured in summer 2019

To hit renewables targets, countries are sharing energy across borders

Solve the famous water puzzle from Die Hard 3

Can you count all the triangles in these images? (Hint: There are more than you think.)

There’s a reason looking at food photos makes you hungry

These strawberries aren’t red. Here’s why your brain is sure they are.

Counting decapitated sperm and other time-consuming science tasks

Horseshoe crab blood is rare but crucial for medicine, so this scientist came up with a solution

Three alternative ways to charge your phone

How many people can the planet actually hold?

Inside New York City’s vanishing community of repair shops