Machine Is Designed to Reproduce Itself
Originally published in June 1959
Engineering1294 articles archived since 1845
Low-Tech Water Wand Finds Contaminated Drinking Water
A cheap, simple device that detects heavy metals could streamline testing
50, 100 & 150 Years Ago: June 2020
Building bridges: stone, iron, steel
‘Snot Palaces’ Reveal Undersea Creature Secrets
Scientists are studying the delicate mucus houses built by creatures called larvaceans to better understand how they live. Christopher Intagliata reports.
Iron Ponies Are Best for Swarming Military Tanks
Originally published in January 1942
Famed U-2 Spy Plane Takes on a New Surveillance Mission
Designed with slide rules in the 1950s, the stealthy high flier still has a lot to offer
Hydrogen Balloons Could Elevate Telegraph Wires above Rivers
Originally published in November 1845
Green Infrastructure Can Be Cheaper, More Effective than Dams
A new report advocates for governments to increase funding for projects like floodplain restoration
Wanted: Weapon to Intercept Atomic Bombs
Originally published in November 1945
Human Earth-Borers Really Dig Tunnels
Originally published in January 1867
Science News Briefs from All Over
Here are some brief reports about science and technology from around the planet, including one about an incredibly well-preserved horned lark ( Eremophila alpestris ), like the one pictured, that lived 46,000 years ago...
Pocket Watch Catches Pickpockets
Originally published in August 1856
When Will Speech-Recognition Software Finally Be Good Enough?
Think how much time we’d save if voice assistants always understood commands or questions the first time
Card Sharps Do Have Something Up Their Sleeve
Originally published in April 1910
Facial-Recognition Technology Needs More Regulation
Algorithms that can recognize people are too often biased or inaccurate—and they can easily invade our privacy
Antipoaching Tech Tracks COVID-19 Flare-Ups in South Africa
Coming out of lockdown, the country is relying on thousands of local case trackers and on software, once used to protect rhinoceroses, for disease surveillance
Torpedoes Are Greatly Overrated as Naval Weapon
Originally published in November 1905
Pumping Charged Particles onto Airplane Surfaces Could Reduce Lightning Strikes
Tests reveal that an imbalance of charge buildup can trigger airplane lightning
A Shiny Snack Bag’s Reflections Can Reconstruct the Room around It
Researchers used the light reflecting off the wrapper to build an image of its surroundings
‘Teaching Machines’ Needed to Educate Growing Population
Originally published in December 1958
