Materials

A new mathematical model could answer puzzling questions about frozen water.
Gabriel Popkin, Contributor
Food and drinks can be made into quantum dots that glow as LEDs.
Marcus Woo, Contributor
Fatty layer covering snakeskin protects animal's underside against scrapes and wear.
Brian Owens, Contributor
Major companies from Hershey to Barilla are exploring the technology.
Devin Powell, Contributor
New form of matter fills in a decades-old gap in theoretical physics.
Michael Greshko, Contributor
On the fifth anniversary of giant Gulf oil spill, a look at new remediation technology.
Marcus Woo, Contributor
When you squeeze them with a constant force, they can crumple at different rates.
Ben P. Stein, Contributor
Preserving paintings is now a matter of chemistry.
Joel Shurkin, Contributor
Two Massachusetts teams develop slick coatings to keep ketchup, other items from sticking to surfaces.
Peter Gwynne, Contributor
Research shows how salt in the environment can destroy ancient buildings and art.
Joel Shurkin, Contributor
Researchers make robots by electrifying paper.
Charles Q. Choi, Contributor
Splashing Droplets Can Take Off Like Airplanes
Patricia Waldron, Contributor