Engineering

Human hair tested stronger than thicker fibers from elephants, boars and giraffes, providing clues to materials scientists hoping to make superstrong synthetic fibers.

World-changing technologies that are poised to rattle the status quo

At risk are airliners, electric grids, stock markets and other systems that rely on GPS to time their operations

Wherein we get our first look at what Kilauea’s new crater lake is made of

Enjoy and loop on

Black patients lose out on critical care when systems equate health needs with costs

A gigantic fish from the Amazon has incredibly tough scales—and materials scientists are looking to them for bulletproof inspiration. Christopher Intagliata reports.

Officials pressure wireless companies so first responders and residents can communicate and save lives

With decades still to go until the first general-purpose quantum computers, the race is on to make today’s systems useful

Small tweaks, not deep physical insight, can lead to a better mousetrap

Enjoy and loop on

Experts warn that new technology makes it easier to covertly produce WMDs