Technology

Innovations that shape our world

Since early humans first tended fires and sharpened spears, we’ve sought to apply our knowledge to shape the natural world to suit our needs. Here we chronicle the promise and pitfalls of this basic human drive in all its present day manifestations – from robots and AI to nanotechnology and materials to devices, transportation, engineering and manmade disasters.

Instead of packing more pixels into displays, engineers are learning how to trick our eyes and brains to see higher resolutions in the virtual world.
Yuen Yiu, Staff Writer
An experiment off the coast of California may bolster efforts to make biocrude from "the Sequoia of the sea."
Katharine Gammon, Contributor
Scientists found that some early commercial lithium batteries held up pretty well after about 35 years in storage.
Catherine Meyers, Editor
The rechargeable, lightweight batteries revolutionized the way we power a host of devices.
Catherine Meyers, Editor
A mechanical predator could stress an invasive species of freshwater fish to the point that they may reproduce less.
Charles Q. Choi, Contributor
New technology could lower the cost of ultrasound machines
Karin Heineman, Executive Producer
Researchers developed a way to weld pieces of brittle ceramics together using a laser that fires a million times per second.
Yuen Yiu, Staff Writer
Virtual reality makes between 40% and 70% of people feel nauseated. Experts are trying to figure out why.
Meeri Kim, Contributor
By mimicking the structure of mother-of-pearl, scientists have made a glass that's less likely to shatter when hit.
Charles Q. Choi, Contributor
Researchers have embedded gold particles in soft films that dissipate light energy at the surface of the eye and could have future medical uses.
Bailey Bedford, Contributor
Researchers have modified wood not only to make it stronger but to make it capable of cool itselfing, which may lead to energy savings.
Bailey Bedford, Contributor
Insect hearing systems are inspiring new microphone designs that can better identify the direction a sound comes from.
Bailey Bedford, Contributor