Insulin grown in lettuce can be taken orally
New synthetic insulin harvested from lettuce plants can be made cheaply, taken orally, and transported at room temperature.
NASA shares colorful “postcard” of Mars’ surface
NASA has used photos taken by the Curiosity rover to create a gorgeous “postcard” of the Martian landscape.
Latest Videos
Building the world’s greenest Bitcoin mine
In partnership with Coinbase
Meet the digital currency disruptors who are making Bitcoin mining carbon negative for a greener future.
Why Indonesian fishers now have crypto wallets
In partnership with Coinbase
Big Fish is notoriously corrupt. This startup is using blockchain to stop that.
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Future of Cities
How Oslo’s electric evolution will shock the world by 2030
What if an entire city decided to go electric? This one is. Step into Oslo, Norway.
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Hard Reset
We went to MIT to see the first test of a new electric thruster system
These tiny electrospray thrusters cut spacecraft payload so that we can explore the asteroid belt, outer planets, and beyond.
How AI is changing music forever
Musicians and technologists Holly Herndon and Mat Dryhurst discuss the AI music revolution and the critical importance of artist consent in building this new future
How to stop runaway AI
Professor Stuart J. Russell warns that AI could pose an existential threat to humanity unless we can ensure that these systems remain aligned with human values and goals.
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Just Might Work
NASA’s mission to build the ultimate leak-proof lab
NASA is building a first-of-its-kind biocontainment lab to study samples from Mars — and possibly prevent a Martian plague.
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Just Might Work
3 ways to clone yourself before you die
These tech companies are making digital clones of people to live on in a digital afterlife. Would you do it?
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Hard Reset
The farming robots that will feed the world
Food waste is a ridiculous problem. Enter the robots.
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Challengers
The dawn of battery-powered urban flight
Electric engine, nearly silent, and ready for passengers by 2025. But are we ready?
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Hard Reset
The bionic 3rd thumb anyone can add to their hand
We flew to the UK to learn more about the designer 3D-printing third thumbs.
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We focus on solutions: the smartest people, the biggest ideas, and the most groundbreaking technology shaping our future.
Building a Solarpunk Future
Quantum computer designs heat-radiating window coating
Notre Dame researchers have used quantum computing to design a transparent window coating that reflects heat into the atmosphere.
Molten salt reactors could save nuclear power
Molten salt reactors, a type of nuclear reactor first explored in the 1950s, could be the future of clean energy.
NASA detects 50+ methane “super-emitters” from space
A new instrument aboard the International Space Station has been used to identify more than 50 “super-emitters” of methane.
This amphibious electric tricycle (and camper) costs $14,600
Latvian startup BeTRITON’s amphibious electric tricycle will take you from the road to the water to the campsite.
Feature
Can "terraforming" turn Mars or the moon into Earth 2.0?
With enough nukes, asteroids, and solar shields, we may be able to create a new home for humanity.
Advancing the Space Frontier
NASA’s Orion spacecraft sends back first images
NASA has shared the first images from its Orion spacecraft, which is expected to do a lunar flyby on November 21.
A far-out plan to build an asteroid city
University of Rochester researchers think they have a solution to creating an asteroid city: a giant bag.
Twin exoplanets may be the first known “water worlds”
Twin exoplanets 218 light years from Earth may be the first known examples of “water worlds.”
Original Series
Meet the people whose bold ideas might sound crazy… but also Just Might Work.
Freethink Favorites
Stories focused on interesting solutions to big problems.
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Just Might Work
Biohackers take aim at big pharma’s stranglehold on insulin
These biohackers plan to give away their instructions for how to make insulin for free.
Farming robot kills 200,000 weeds per hour with lasers
Carbon Robotics’ LaserWeeder is a smart farming robot that identifies weeds and then kills them using high-power lasers.
Supercentenarians’ DNA reveals clues to human longevity
A human longevity study involving people over the age of 105 has found that genetic variants linked to DNA repair appear to contribute to a longer life.
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Just Might Work
How robots could end animal captivity in zoos and marine parks
Could robotic dolphins help marine parks become more humane spaces where people can learn about and connect with nature?
Twisty nuclear fusion reactor gets twice as hot as the sun
Physicists optimized a nuclear fusion reactor to overcome a problem that causes heat loss and prevents the device from sustaining fusion.
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Coded
Tractor-hacking farmers take on John Deere
Tractor hacking is a fast-growing trend in the farming community — but it’s not outsiders breaking in.
Japan breaks world record for fastest internet speed
Engineers in Japan have set a new world record for fastest internet speed — 319 Tb/s — using a specially developed fiber-optic cable.
Sophia the Robot will be mass-produced this year
Hanson Robotics is going to begin mass-producing Sophia the robot in 2021, making the social robot available to help combat the pandemic.
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Challengers
This DIY laptop is challenging tech giants like Apple & Microsoft
Disposable tech is part of big tech’s business model. This engineer is fighting back by creating a DIY laptop anyone can repair on their own.
Prisoners will get a $2,750 check when they leave prison
A non-profit is experimenting with providing prisoners a $2,750 check when they leave prison. The goal is to reduce recidivism and help people get a fresh start.
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Hard Reset
How mirrors could power the planet… and prevent wars
If adopted globally, concentrated solar power could make major waves in manufacturing, not to mention prevent wars over oil and mitigate climate change.