Tag: Materials
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Dealing with the plastic scourge
Society is balking at the impact of our collective plastic footprint. But some alternatives are occurring.
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10 great African innovations
From fintech to health to the environment, clever inventions are improving the lives of millions of people.
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The concrete challenge
It’s the world’s most ubiquitous construction material – but it comes with a hefty environmental cost.
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Amsterdam’s Waterworld
An expert discusses the challenges of creating a major district entirely with floating houses.
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Engineering healthier humans
Drawing on their knowledge of algorithms, design and materials, engineers can help improve healthcare in many arenas.
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Dealing with a sea of plastic
Polymer packaging makes up most of the world’s marine debris. New biodegradable or edible containers could offer a better solution.
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Buildings that live and breathe
From London to Hamburg to Singapore, architects draw inspiration from living organisms to design energy-efficient buildings.
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Turning nature into a factory
How a salamander inspired a robot, a protein became a sensor and a molecule helped design a water purifier.
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Insects in the spotlight
Beetles, butterflies and spiders are some of the bugs that inspire engineers. What makes these insects so prone to imitation?
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New materials for new records
Aluminium, carbon and even bamboo: sport results today depend highly on the materials.
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A revolution in lighting
Modern illumination is not only much more efficient, but increasingly responsive to the rhythms of human life.
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The high price of inaction
For more than 40 years – ever since the Great Oil Crisis of 1973 – scientists, governments and media have been warning that the world must reduce its dependence on fuels derived from hydrocarbons. Initially, the main worry was supply – would the world run out of oil and gas before we found alternatives? But…
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The other wonder gas
By being the first to extract methane hydrates last year, Japan has launched a new global race.