Energy

an overhead shot of land split in three. the left side is dry and dusty. the middle has some vegetation, and the right side has a lot.

Desertification is destroying fertile land. Here’s how we’re fighting it.

a female presenting person in a lab coat holding a solar cell

New “tandem” solar cell breaks world record

A new tandem solar cell containing layers of silicon and perovskite has demonstrated an unprecedented efficiency of 33.7%.

Kristin Houser

Clean Energy

These 4 charts show the unstoppable growth of solar

Solar is growing fast enough to displace fossil fuels from the entire global economy before 2050, but infrastructure needs to keep up.

Andrew Blakers

Disaster Response

New study into how tornadoes form could save lives

To improve our understanding of how tornadoes form, researchers involved in the TORUS Project will send tech straight into supercell thunderstorms.

Kristin Houser

Climate Crisis

Changing flight altitudes could help minimize contrails

A study found that flying a small percentage of planes at slightly different altitudes could significantly decrease contrails, a global warming contributor.

Kristin Houser

Clean Energy

Can the maritime industry go green? Washington ferries show us how

Washington ferries will soon make the switch from diesel to batteries, becoming the world’s largest hybrid-powered, car-carrying ferries.

Teresa Carey

Sustainability

The big screen goes green

Hollywood moves towards sustainable film production.

B. David Zarley

Engineering

Move the sun, save the earth: the plan to relocate our solar system

This stellar engine could harness the power of the sun to drag our solar system throughout the galaxy, preventing a catastrophic collision.

Teresa Carey

Sustainability

In a circular economy, leaders look to eliminate waste

A step further than recycling, a circular economy would eliminate the idea of garbage completely. But will consumers hop on board? We gave it a try, and here's our honest review.

Teresa Carey

Planet Earth

The fleet of underwater drones probing Earth’s interior

The Earth’s interior may be the last wild frontier, but not for long. These underwater drones are scanning the ocean to create a 3D model of its internal dynamics.

Teresa Carey

Climate Crisis

The robot racing to study Antarctica’s massive ice melt

Icefin, a semi-autonomous research vessel, is on a mission to search for clues about one of the continent’s fastest melting glaciers, the Thwaites Glacier.

Sarah Wells

Climate Crisis

Tree-planting drones restore charred forests

This Seattle startup is bringing new life to charred forests by releasing swarms of smart, tree-planting drones equipped with seeds, mini seedbeds, and cameras.

Teresa Carey

Nature is good for you. What about VR nature?

Nature has the power to reduce stress and enhance our moods. Can VR nature experiences be a substitute for physically spending time in the outdoors?

Teresa Carey

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