The Long News: stories that might still matter fifty, or a hundred, or ten thousand years from now.
It used to be thought that what defined us as human is the fact that we make tools. But in the past few decades, toolmaking has also been observed in chimpanzees, dolphins, elephants, otters, octopuses, and several kinds of birds. Still, no other species manipulates matter as relentlessly as humans do. And over the long term, our tools are getting smaller and more sophisticated as we learn more about how to fiddle with molecules, engineer new substances, and tinker with the stuff of… stuff.
Some recent news stories from the world of materials science:
1. Pushing the envelope with paper:
Scientists say paper battery could be in the works
‘Tissue paper’ could stop bullets, harness solar energy
2. Cracking the glass ceiling:
Spray-on liquid glass is about to revolutionize almost everything
3. Water water everywhere:
MIT researchers harness viruses to split water
Device to convert seawater offers hope to parched lands
Water practically flies off new surface
4. Meanwhile, machines are getting smaller every day:
Scientists create world’s first molecular transistor
Scientists harness bacteria to turn microscopic gears
We invite you to submit Long News story suggestions here.
