Natural DisastersSeptember 28, 2022
How to Protect Puerto Rico’s Power Grid from Hurricanes
Energy experts say localized solar plants could strengthen Puerto Rico’s dangerously fragile grid
Stories by Anna Blaustein
Anna Blaustein is a science journalist. She has a bachelor's degree in biology from Bowdoin College and a master's degree in science writing from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.
Climate ChangeSeptember 16, 2022
How California Kept the Lights On during Monster Heat Wave
A combination of rapid growth in battery storage and efforts to reduce power demand helped California avoid blackouts during an intense heat wave
EngineeringJuly 29, 2022
Scientists Invent a Paper Battery—Just Add Water
A new disposable battery is made of paper and other sustainable materials and is activated with a few drops of water
EnergyMay 6, 2022
Rechargeable Molten Salt Battery Freezes Energy in Place for Long-Term Storage
The technology could bring more renewable energy to the power grid
EnergyMarch 23, 2022
How Ukraine Unplugged from Russia and Joined Europe’s Power Grid with Unprecedented Speed
Engineers achieved “a year’s work in two weeks” to safely do so
CognitionOctober 26, 2021
The Brain Guesses What Word Comes Ne-
Like some AI systems, the organ of thought appears to predict what word follows another to coax meaning from language
Particle PhysicsJune 28, 2021
See the Highest-Resolution Atomic Image Ever Captured
Scientists achieved a record level of visual detail with an imaging technique that could help develop future electronics and better batteries
AnimalsApril 23, 2021
Octopus ‘Teachers’ Demonstrate They Feel Emotional Pain
As a documentary about a cephalopod contends for an Oscar, a new study reveals the sophistication of the animals’ inner experiences